Chest
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In five patients with aortic dissection, signs and/or symptoms of pericarditis were part of the early manifestations of the aortic disease. Signs of inflammatory pericarditis were noted clinically in four patients and were found at autopsy in one. In the three nonoperated patients who died of aortic rupture leading to fatal hemopericardium, symptoms of pericarditis preceded fatal rupture of the aorta by four to five days. ⋯ In each of two cases, there was a congenital bicuspid aortic valve. The phenomenon observed represents acute aortic dissection in which slow penetration of blood into the pericardial space caused inflammatory pericarditis. The interval between the onset of pericarditis and rupture of the aorta may allow sufficient time for appropriate diagnosis and potentially lifesaving treatment of the aortic disease.
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Case Reports Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Single-patient randomized clinical trial. Opiates for intractable dyspnea.
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Pulmonary edema due to upper airway obstruction can be observed in a variety of clinical situations. The predominant mechanism is increased negative intrathoracic pressure, although hypoxia and cardiac and neurologic factors may contribute. Laryngospasm associated with intubation and general anesthesia is a common cause of pulmonary edema in children. ⋯ Five of the seven had other risk factors for upper airway obstruction, and in four, the diagnosis of "laryngospasm" could be explained by other factors. Patients with underlying risk factors for upper airway obstruction, such as a forme fruste of sleep apnea or nasopharyngeal abnormalities, appear to be at increased risk for the development of pulmonary edema in the setting of intubation and anesthesia. This form of pulmonary edema usually resolves rapidly without the need for aggressive therapy or invasive monitoring.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effect of alprazolam on exercise and dyspnea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
To evaluate the efficacy of a mild anxiolytic, alprazolam, in relieving dyspnea, we conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study on patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Twenty-four patients had alprazolam (0.5 mg bid) or placebo administered for one week, followed by placebo for one week, then either placebo or alprazolam for the third week. Assessment tests were performed at the outset, end of the first and second weeks, and finally end of the third week. ⋯ The maximum exercise level attained and the distance covered in the 12 minute walk was unchanged. The subjective perception of dyspnea was the same before and after alprazolam, at rest and during exercise. We conclude that alprazolam is not effective in relieving exercise dyspnea in patients with obstructive lung disease.
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A 40-year-old woman who worked on a farm and was exposed to moldy hay presented with acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation and homogeneous radiologic consolidation. Treatment with steroids produced rapid improvement. These features of presentation of hypersensitivity pneumonitis with acute respiratory failure and homogeneous consolidation are rarely encountered.