Resp Care
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Fiberoptic bronchoscopy and lung biopsy are important diagnostic tools in patients with diffuse pulmonary infiltrates. However, these patients often have hypoxemic respiratory failure that makes this procedure hazardous. Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been shown to improve oxygenation in hypoxemic patients. ⋯ NIV-assisted bronchoscopic lung biopsy is a novel method for obtaining diagnosis in hypoxemic patients with diffuse lung infiltrates. However, this approach should be reserved for centers with extensive experience in NIV. More studies are required to define the utility of this approach.
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We present a patient with acute-onset dyspnea and unexplained severe hypoxemia. No signs of severe cardiopulmonary disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, or pulmonary embolism were present. ⋯ The condition of the patient did not improve and he was referred for liver transplantation, which is the only treatment option with documented efficacy. The case highlights the importance of thinking outside the thorax when evaluating patients with dyspnea.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of cardiopulmonary responses during 2 incremental step tests in subjects with COPD.
It is well established that the work rate increment size affects the duration of test and physiological responses to exercise during cycling in patients with COPD. However, this has never been tested for incremental step tests. ⋯ The slower the work rate increment during step test, the higher the exercise tolerance. Regardless of the work rate increment, cardiopulmonary stress and exertion effort at peak exercise were equivalent between tests.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Short-term effects of humidification devices on respiratory pattern and arterial blood gases during noninvasive ventilation.
The impact of humidification devices on ventilatory and arterial blood gases parameters during noninvasive ventilation (NIV) remains controversial. The aim of the study was to compare the short-term impact of heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs) and heated humidifiers (HHs) during NIV for either hypercapnic or hypoxemic acute respiratory failure. ⋯ Use of an HME decreased CO(2) elimination during NIV, despite increased minute ventilation, especially in hypercapnic subjects.