Revue des maladies respiratoires
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The obesity-hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), or alveolar hypoventilation in the obese, has been described initially as the "Pickwickian syndrome". It is defined as chronic alveolar hypoventilation (PaO2<70 mmHg, PaCO2 > or =45 mmHg) in obese patients (body mass index>30 kg/m2) who have no other respiratory disease explaining the hypoxemia-hypercapnia. ⋯ Losing weight is the "ideal" treatment of OHS but in fact it cannot be obtained in most patients. Nocturnal ventilation (continuous positive airway pressure and mainly bilevel non invasive ventilation) is presently the best treatment of OHS and excellent short and long-term results on symptoms and arterial blood gases have been recently reported.
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Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare condition characterized by sustained elevation in pulmonary arterial resistance leading to right heart failure. ⋯ Recent advances in the management of PAH have markedly improved prognosis and have resulted in more women of childbearing age considering pregnancy. A multidisciplinary approach should give new insights into cardiopulmonary, obstetric and anaesthetic management during pregnancy, delivery and the post-partum period.
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Endometriosis is defined as the abnormal presence of endometrial tissue, including endometrial glands and stroma, outside the uterine cavity. The term "thoracic endometriosis" is classically referred to the respiratory manifestations which classically result from the presence and the cyclical changes of endometrial tissue in one of the thoracic structures. ⋯ Thoracic endometriosis is probably rare but its diagnosis is easy when accurately raised. The approach is multidisciplinary involving a pneumologist, a thoracic surgeon and a gynecologist.
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Did Tuberculosis plague Ancient Egypt five millennia ago? ⋯ Tuberculosis certainly plagued the Nile Valley and appears to have been an important cause of mortality in Ancient Egypt.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common pulmonary and systemic inflammatory disease. Patients with COPD frequently require mechanical ventilation for acute exacerbations. ⋯ Future studies should better determine the incidence of VAP in COPD, improve the diagnostic approach and determine the effects of treating malnutrition, chronic tracheobronchial colonisation and limiting antibiotic and corticosteroid treatment on the incidence of VAP.