Pneumologie
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Biomarkers have been intensively studied in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in recent years. In the context of the CAPNETZ study we had the unique opportunity to evaluate old and new biomarkers in a multicentre study with a high number of patients. ⋯ Biomarkers correlate with the severity of CAP but do not allow individual prediction of etiology. New cardiovascular biomarkers are suitable for the evaluation of short- and long-term prognosis in CAP. The combination of several biomarkers reflecting different pathophysiological pathways has the potential to improve management of CAP in the future.
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Successful smoking cessation is associated with a survival benefit for patients with lung cancer. However, smokers newly diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer and scheduled for curative resection are frequently discouraged from stopping smoking in the immediate preoperative period. This recommendation is based on the results of one single prospective cohort study published in 1998 which reported an increased risk of perioperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing non-thoracic surgery who had reduced their tobacco consumption within the two months leading up to the operation. ⋯ In view of the post-cessation recovery time-course of pathophysiological alterations relevant to the occurrence of perioperative complications, a smoke-free preoperative interval of 2 - 6 weeks appears most favourable. However, this is difficult to achieve as a curative resection should not be postponed. Since there is no scientific evidence demonstrating a negative impact of preoperative smoking cessation on prognosis, patients newly diagnosed with lung cancer should be encouraged to make an attempt to quit while waiting for thoracic surgery.
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Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may be induced by a variety of disease entities. Apart from supportive treatment including lung protective ventilation, identification of the underlying process is of crucial importance for optimal therapeutic results. Usually the cause of ARDS can be identified by history, laboratory and radiologicial tests. ⋯ In these situations the risks of empirical treatment have to be balanced against the procedural risk of invasive diagnostics, namely open lung biopsy. Today, reports on more than 500 lung biopsies performed in selected ARDS patients are available showing a relevant diagnostic yield at an acceptable procedure-associated risk. Intensive care physicians should be aware of this diagnostic instrument, which can represent the decisive diagnostic step in patients with ARDS of unknown origin.
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Review Practice Guideline
[Non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation for treatment of chronic respiratory failure. S2-Guidelines published by the German Medical Association of Pneumology and Ventilatory Support].
The field of mechanical ventilation is highly important in pulmonary medicine. The German Medical Association of Pneumology and Ventilatory Support ["Deutsche Gesellschaft für Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin e. V. (DGP)"] therefore has formulated these guidelines for home mechanical non-invasive and invasive ventilation. ⋯ Home mechanical ventilation has been shown to improve health-related quality of life of patients with chronic ventilatory failure. Long-term survival is improved in most patient groups, even though the long-term prognosis is often severely limited. For this reason, ethical issues regarding patient education, communication with ventilated patients at the end of life, living will, testament and medical care during the dying process are discussed.
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Review Case Reports
[Long-term opioid therapy and respiratory insufficiency during sleep].
An increasing proportion of the patients with chronic pain are being treated with opioids on a long-term basis. There are indications that the causes of hypersomnia in patients under chronic opioid therapy are primarily related to breathing disorders during sleep. ⋯ On applying non-invasive ventilatory therapy, there was a significant improvement of respiratory status with an increase of deep sleep as well as a moderate decrease in hypersomnia. In patients under chronic opioid therapy with hypersomnia, the presence of central breathing disorders should be considered.