American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Oct 2024
Novel Liver Injury Phenotypes and Outcomes in Clinical Trial Participants with Pulmonary Hypertension.
Rationale: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) cause right ventricular dysfunction, which can impact other solid organs. However, the profiles and consequences of hepatic injury resulting from PAH and CTEPH have not been well studied. Objectives: We aimed to identify underlying patterns of liver injury in a cohort of patients with PAH and CTEPH enrolled in 15 randomized clinical trials conducted between 1998 and 2014. ⋯ Conclusions: Liver injury was associated with adverse outcomes in patients with PAH and CTEPH. Randomization to active treatment had beneficial effects on liver health compared with placebo. The role of liver disease (often subclinical) in determining outcomes warrants prospective studies.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Oct 2024
Multicenter StudyRSV-related Community COPD Exacerbations and Novel Diagnostics: A Binational Prospective Cohort Study.
Rationale: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common global respiratory virus that is increasingly recognized as a major pathogen in frail older adults and as a cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. There is no single test for RSV in adults that has acceptable diagnostic accuracy. Trials of RSV vaccines have recently shown excellent safety and efficacy against RSV in older adults; defining the frequency of RSV-related community infections and COPD exacerbations is important for vaccine deployment decisions. ⋯ Conclusions: RSV is associated with 8.7% of outpatient-managed COPD exacerbations in this study. Antibodies to RSV Nucleoprotein may have diagnostic value and are potentially important in a vaccinated population. The introduction of vaccines that prevent RSV is expected to benefit patients with COPD.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Oct 2024
Multicenter StudyOutcomes in Critically Ill Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation Recipients.
Rationale: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT) recipients are still believed to be poor candidates for ICU management. Methods: We investigated outcomes and determinants of mortality in a large multicenter retrospective cohort of Allo-HSCT patients admitted between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020, to 14 French ICUs. The primary endpoint was 90-day mortality. ⋯ In patients requiring mechanical ventilation, mortality rates ranged from 39% (no other risk factors for mortality) to 100% (four associated risk factors for mortality). Conclusions: Most critically ill Allo-HSCT recipients survive their ICU stays, including those requiring mechanical ventilation, with an overall 90-day survival rate reaching 51.8%. A careful assessment of goals of care is required in patients with two or more risk factors for mortality.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Oct 2024
ReviewPathogenesis of Post-Tuberculosis Lung Disease: Defining Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities at the 2nd International Post-Tuberculosis Symposium.
Post-tuberculosis (post-TB) lung disease is increasingly recognized as a major contributor to the global burden of chronic lung disease, with recent estimates indicating that over half of TB survivors have impaired lung function after successful completion of TB treatment. However, the pathologic mechanisms that contribute to post-TB lung disease are not well understood, thus limiting the development of therapeutic interventions to improve long-term outcomes after TB. ⋯ The committee first identified six areas with high translational potential: 1) tissue matrix destruction, including the role of matrix metalloproteinase dysregulation and neutrophil activity; 2) fibroblasts and profibrotic activity; 3) granuloma fate and cell death pathways; 4) mycobacterial factors, including pathogen burden; 5) animal models; and 6) the impact of key clinical risk factors, including HIV, diabetes, smoking, malnutrition, and alcohol. We share the key findings from a literature review of those areas, highlighting knowledge gaps and areas where further research is needed.