Chest
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Clinical characteristics and treatment patterns among patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia.
To evaluate clinical characteristics and treatment patterns among patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), including the implementation of and outcomes associated with deescalation therapy. ⋯ Treatment patterns for VAP vary widely from institution to institution, and the overall mortality rate remains unacceptably high. The deescalation of therapy in VAP patients appears to be associated with a reduction in mortality, which is an association that warrants further clinical study.
-
Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Safety and efficacy of IV treprostinil for pulmonary arterial hypertension: a prospective, multicenter, open-label, 12-week trial.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening disease for which both continuous IV epoprostenol and continuous subcutaneous treprostinil have proven effective. With continuous IV treprostinil having potential advantages over both of the above therapies, we investigated the safety and efficacy of this regimen in patients with PAH. ⋯ Long-term IV infusion of treprostinil is safe and appears to be effective for the treatment of patients with PAH.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Budesonide/formoterol in a single inhaler for maintenance and relief in mild-to-moderate asthma: a randomized, double-blind trial.
To compare a novel asthma management strategy--budesonide/formoterol in a single inhaler for both maintenance therapy and symptom relief--with a higher dose of budesonide plus as-needed terbutaline. ⋯ Budesonide/formoterol for both maintenance and relief improves asthma control with a lower steroid load compared with a higher dose of budesonide plus terbutaline.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Randomized controlled trial of emergency department interventions to improve primary care follow-up for patients with acute asthma.
Emergency department (ED) visits for asthma are frequent and may indicate increased morbidity and poor primary care access. Our objective was to compare the effect of two interventions on primary care follow-up after ED treatment for asthma exacerbations. ⋯ An intervention including free medication, transportation vouchers, and appointment assistance significantly increased the likelihood that discharged asthma patients obtained primary care follow-up but did not impact long-term outcomes.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Formoterol, 24 microg bid, and serious asthma exacerbations: similar rates compared with formoterol, 12 microg bid, with and without extra doses taken on demand, and placebo.
The primary objective was to determine whether high-dose formoterol, 24 mug bid, was associated with more asthma exacerbations compared with lower formoterol doses in patients with stable persistent asthma. Serious asthma exacerbations (life threatening or requiring hospitalization) were the primary end point. Secondary end points included significant exacerbations requiring systemic corticosteroids, all exacerbations, and changes in FEV1. ⋯ Treatment with formoterol, 24 microg bid, was not associated with an increase in serious asthma exacerbations compared with the lower formoterol doses or placebo.