Chest
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Sitaxsentan for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension: a 1-year, prospective, open-label observation of outcome and survival.
Despite advances in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the mortality rate remains excessive. Long-term efficacy evaluations are needed to guide therapeutic management. The purpose of this study is to present 1-year observational data with two endothelin antagonists, sitaxsentan and bosentan, in a prospective, open-label study. ⋯ At 1 year, sitaxsentan therapy appears safe and efficacious for patients with PAH; reductions in mortality and the risk for clinical worsening events provide support for durability of efficacy.
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Multicenter Study
Distance and oxygen desaturation during the 6-min walk test as predictors of long-term mortality in patients with COPD.
The distance walked in the 6-min walk test (6MWT) predicts mortality in patients with severe COPD. Little is known about its prognostic value in patients with a wider range of COPD severity, living in different countries, and the potential additional impact of oxygen desaturation measured during the test. ⋯ The 6MWD helps predict mortality primarily in patients with severe COPD. Although the oxygen desaturation profile during the 6MWT improves the predictive ability of the 6MWD, it appears to be of less relevance than in other lung diseases and than the resting Pao2.
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Multicenter Study
Pulmonary vs nonpulmonary sepsis and mortality in acute lung injury.
Acute lung injury (ALI) is a frequent complication of sepsis. It is unclear if a pulmonary vs nonpulmonary source of sepsis affects mortality in patients with sepsis-induced ALI. ⋯ Although lower mortality was observed for ALI patients with a pulmonary vs nonpulmonary source of sepsis, this finding is likely due to a lower severity of illness in those with pulmonary sepsis. Pulmonary vs nonpulmonary source of sepsis was not independently predictive of mortality for patients with ALI.
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Multicenter Study
Relevance of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute respiratory failure: the BLUE protocol.
This study assesses the potential of lung ultrasonography to diagnose acute respiratory failure. ⋯ Lung ultrasound can help the clinician make a rapid diagnosis in patients with acute respiratory failure, thus meeting the priority objective of saving time.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Inhaled mannitol improves lung function in cystic fibrosis.
The airways in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are characterized by the accumulation of tenacious, dehydrated mucus that is a precursor for chronic infection, inflammation, and tissue destruction. The clearance of mucus is an integral component of daily therapy. Inhaled mannitol is an osmotic agent that increases the water content of the airway surface liquid, and improves the clearance of mucus with the potential to improve lung function and respiratory health. To this end, this study examined the efficacy and safety of therapy with inhaled mannitol over a 2-week period. ⋯ Inhaled mannitol treatment over a period of 2 weeks significantly improved lung function in patients with CF. Mannitol therapy was safe and well tolerated.