Chest
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The 2011 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)/American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) classification of pulmonary adenocarcinomas introduces adenocarcinoma in situ and minimally invasive carcinoma and categorizes adenocarcinoma with more extensive invasion by the predominant subtype. Data have shown that wedge or segmentectomy (W/S) may be appropriate for in situ and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma, but whether sublobar resection is appropriate for tumors with more extensive invasion is unclear. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate whether there are any trends regarding the impact of invasion and subtypes of carcinoma regarding survival in lobectomy vs W/S procedures using a comprehensive histologic evaluation. ⋯ Our findings corroborate the prognostic significance of the 2011 adenocarcinoma subtyping classification and additionally suggest that lobectomy does not offer an overall survival advantage over W/S regardless of histologic subtype. Therefore, this finding suggests that limited resection may be appropriate for small size tumors, particularly those ≤ 2 cm with invasive histology.
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Lung transplantation reduces mortality in patients with end-stage lung disease; however, only approximately 21% of lungs from potential donor patients undergo transplantation. A large number of donor lungs become categorized as unsuitable for lung transplantation as a result of lung injury around the time of brain death. Limiting this injury is key to increasing the number of successful lung procurements and subsequent transplants. This narrative review by a working group of pulmonologists, respiratory therapists, and lung transplant specialists elucidates principles of mechanical ventilatory support that can be used to limit lung injury in potential lung donor patients and examines the implementation of protocolized strategies in enhancing the procurement of donor lungs for transplantation.
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Pulmonary venoocclusive disease (PVOD) is a rare lung disease, diagnosed in 5% to 10% of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). The incidence, prevalence, and etiology of PVOD in children are not well defined. The mortality remains high, related, at least partly, to the limited treatment options. ⋯ PVOD is an important differential diagnosis for pediatric patients with PH. CT scanning is a valuable tool to image lung abnormalities; the definitive diagnosis can only be made by examination of lung biopsy specimens, which subjects the patient to additional risk. Early listing for lung transplantation is essential, as the mean survival time is only 14 months.
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Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is common in elderly patients, but a detailed analysis of the causes of PH in the elderly has not been performed. We hypothesized that pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is rare in elderly patients and sought to describe the characteristics of these patients at a large referral center. ⋯ PAH is an uncommon cause of PH in elderly patients, most frequently associated with connective tissue disease. WHO group 2 PH and mixed disease are common, highlighting a need for careful phenotyping of elderly patients with PH prior to initiating PAH therapy.
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Perimenopause is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. OSA is an emerging risk factor for cardiovascular disease, particularly among men, but the independent contribution of OSA to cardiovascular risk in climacteric women is not clear. ⋯ OSA is common, underdiagnosed, and independently associated with high BP and increased arterial stiffness in perimenopausal women.