American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Oct 2011
Editorial CommentSemi-long-term mortality effects of ozone.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Oct 2011
Multicenter Study Meta AnalysisOzone and survival in four cohorts with potentially predisposing diseases.
Time series studies have reported associations between ozone and daily deaths. Only one cohort study has reported the effect of long-term exposures on deaths, and little is known about effects of chronic ozone exposure on survival in susceptible populations. ⋯ This is the first study that follows persons with specific chronic conditions, and shows that long-term ozone exposure is associated with increased risk of death in these groups.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Oct 2011
ReviewThe National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT): Part I: Lessons learned about emphysema.
The National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) was a multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial that compared optimal medical treatment, including pulmonary rehabilitation, with optimal medical treatment plus lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). It was the largest and most complete collection of patient demographic, clinical, physiological, and radiographic data ever compiled in severe emphysema. NETT investigated the effects of optimal medical management and LVRS on short- and long-term survival, as well as lung function, exercise performance, and quality of life. ⋯ Because the major purpose of NETT was to compare bilateral LVRS with optimal medical treatment in emphysema, patients enrolled into NETT were comprehensively characterized and selected to have a specific window of airflow obstruction and hyperinflation and to lack significant comorbidities. The NETT patient population’s restrictive features offer distinct advantages (well-characterized predominant emphysematous phenotype) and disadvantages (lack of comorbidities and significant chronic bronchitis) that must be considered when interpreting the implications of these results. Herein, we provide a summary of the major NETT findings that provide insight into the evaluation and medical treatment of emphysema.