Respiratory investigation
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Respiratory investigation · Sep 2015
Antigen avoidance tests for diagnosis of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is induced by the inhalation of specific antigens. Patients with chronic HP may be able to improve their prognosis by avoiding these antigens. Chronic HP is often difficult to distinguish from idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs). ⋯ It was difficult to diagnose chronic HP based solely on 2-week antigen avoidance tests; however, improved clinical parameters among patients supported the diagnosis of HP.
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Respiratory investigation · Jul 2015
Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis: Distinct pulmonary physiological features in nine patients.
Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is a rare idiopathic interstitial pneumonia defined by pleural and subpleural parenchymal fibrosis predominantly in the upper lobes. Although the radiological and pathological characteristics of PPFE have become increasingly recognized, its pulmonary physiological features are not well understood. ⋯ PPFE is characterized by severe mechanical restriction with high RV/TLC, causing increased PaCO2 and eventual hypercapnic respiratory failure. These physiological findings may be useful as an adjunct in the diagnosis of PPFE.
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Respiratory investigation · May 2015
Superiority of respiratory failure risk index in prediction of postoperative pulmonary complications after digestive surgery in Japanese patients.
Several multifactorial risk indexes have been proposed by Western countries for identifying patients at a high risk of developing postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC). However, there is no consensus on how to evaluate the risk of PPC and what multifactorial risk index should be adapted for Japanese patients. This study aimed at clarifying the utility of risk indexes to predict PPC following digestive surgeries in Japanese patients. ⋯ Multifactorial risk indexes are useful tools for identifying Japanese patients at a high risk of developing PPC following digestive surgeries. Of the risk indexes evaluated in this study, RFRI is potentially the most accurate in predicting PPC.