Respiratory medicine
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Respiratory medicine · Aug 2017
Review Meta AnalysisImpact of LABA/LAMA combination on exercise endurance and lung hyperinflation in COPD: A pair-wise and network meta-analysis.
The ability to exercise is an important clinical outcome in COPD, and the improvement in exercise capacity is recognized to be an important goal in the management of COPD. Therefore, since the current interest in the use of bronchodilators in COPD is gradually shifting towards the dual bronchodilation, we carried out a meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of LABA/LAMA combination on exercise capacity and lung hyperinflation in COPD. ⋯ This meta-analysis clearly demonstrates that if the goal of the therapy is to enhance exercise capacity in patients with COPD, LABA/LAMA combinations consistently meet the putative clinically meaningful differences for both ET and IC and, in this respect, are superior to their monocomponents.
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Respiratory medicine · Dec 2016
ReviewHigh flow nasal cannula versus conventional oxygen therapy and non-invasive ventilation in adults with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: A systematic review.
Humidified oxygen via a high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a form of supplemental oxygen therapy that has significant theoretical advantages over conventional oxygen therapy (COT). However, the clinical role of HFNC in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) has not been well established. This review compares the efficacy of HFNC with COT and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in patients with AHRF. ⋯ This review suggests that HFNC may be superior to COT in AHRF patients in terms of oxygenation, patient comfort, and work of breathing. It may be reasonable to consider HFNC as an intermediate level of oxygen therapy between COT and NIV.
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Respiratory medicine · Oct 2016
ReviewTechniques for assessing small airways function: Possible applications in asthma and COPD.
In recent years special interest has been expressed for the contribution of small airways in the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and treatment of asthma and COPD. Small airways contribute little to the total respiratory resistance so that extensive damage of small airways may occur before the appearance of any symptoms, and this is the reason why they are characterized as the "silent zone" of airways. Furthermore, the peripheral localization of the small airways and their small diameter constitutes difficult their direct assessment. ⋯ However, no method is currently considered as the "gold standard" and it seems that combinations of tests are needed. Furthermore, it is not clear whether the small airways are affected in all patients with asthma or COPD and their clinical significance remains under investigation. Well-designed future studies with large numbers of patients are expected to reveal which of the methods for assessing the small airways is the most accurate, reliable and reproducible, for which patients, and which can be used for the evaluation of the effects of treatment.
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Respiratory medicine · Aug 2016
ReviewCombined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema: The many aspects of a cohabitation contract.
Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is a clinical entity characterized by the coexistence of upper lobe emphysema and lower lobe fibrosis. Patients with this condition experience severe dyspnea and impaired gas exchange with preserved lung volumes. The diagnosis of the CPFE syndrome is based on HRCT imaging, showing the coexistence of emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis both in varying extent and locations within the lung parenchyma. ⋯ Mortality is significant in patients with CPFE and median survival is reported between 2.1 and 8.5 years. Currently, no specific recommendations are available regarding the management of patients with CPFE. In this review we provide information on the existing knowledge on CPFE regarding the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, imaging, complications, possible therapeutic interventions and prognosis of the disease.
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Respiratory medicine · Jul 2016
ReviewThe prevalence of small airways disease in adult asthma: A systematic literature review.
Small airways dysfunction and inflammation contribute significantly to the clinical impact of asthma, yet conventional methods of assessing airways function in the clinic cannot reliably evaluate its presence. However, most recently, promising methods of assessment are being utilised. ⋯ Small airways disease is highly prevalent in asthma, even in patients with milder disease. Given the clinical impact of small airways disease, its presence should not be underestimated or overlooked as part of the daily management of patients with asthma.