Chest
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Bosentan for sarcoidosis associated pulmonary hypertension: A double-blind placebo controlled randomized trial.
Sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension (SAPH) is a common problem in patients with persistent dyspneic sarcoidosis. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of bosentan therapy on pulmonary arterial hemodynamics in patients with SAPH. ⋯ This study demonstrated that bosentan significantly improved pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with SAPH.
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In patients with COPD, cardiovascular diseases are the most common concomitant chronic diseases, a leading cause of hospitalization, and one of the main causes of death. A close connection exists between COPD and cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular risk scores aim to predict the effect of cardiovascular comorbidities on COPD mortality, but there is a need to better characterize occult and suboccult cardiovascular disease, even in patients with mild to moderate COPD. ⋯ Candidate mechanisms have been proposed, but surprisingly, only limited data are available regarding the impact of the different COPD treatment modalities on arterial stiffness, although initial studies have suggested a significant positive impact. In this review, we present the various surrogate markers of cardiovascular morbidity in COPD and the central role of arterial stiffness and the underlying mechanisms explaining vascular remodeling in COPD. We also consider the therapeutic impact of COPD medications and exercise training on arterial stiffness and the assessments that should be implemented in COPD care and follow-up.
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Parasitic infestations affect millions of the world's population. Global immigration and climate change have led to changes in the natural distribution of parasitic diseases far removed from endemic areas. ⋯ Pulmonologists need to become familiar with the epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathophysiologic characteristics, and bronchoscopic findings to provide proper management in a timely fashion. This review provides a comprehensive view of both helminthic and protozoal parasitic diseases that affect the respiratory system, especially the airways.
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Whether Native American ancestry (NAA) is associated with COPD or lung function in a racially admixed Hispanic population is unknown. ⋯ NAA is inversely associated with COPD but positively associated with FEV1 or FVC in Costa Ricans. Ancestral effects on smoking behavior partly explain the findings for COPD but not for FEV1 or FVC.
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Multicenter Study
Duration of benefit in patients with autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis after inhaled GM-CSF therapy.
Treatment of autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP) by subcutaneous injection or inhaled therapy of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has been demonstrated to be safe and efficacious in several reports. However, some reports of subcutaneous injection described transient benefit in most instances. The durability of response to inhaled GM-CSF therapy is not well characterized. ⋯ These results demonstrate that inhaled GM-CSF therapy sustained remission of aPAP in more than one-half of cases, and baseline %VC might be a prognostic factor for disease recurrence.