Respiratory care
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A pneumatic tube system (PTS) is a cost-effective, rapid transport modality that utilizes induced pressure changes. We evaluated the clinical importance of 2 transport modalities, human courier and PTS, for blood gas specimens. ⋯ The difference in the PO2 and PaCO2 of paired (walked vs tubed) arterial and venous blood gas specimens demonstrated a slight bias. PaCO2 values demonstrated the greatest bias, however not clinically important. Thus, PTS transport does not impact clinical interpretations of blood gas values.
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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, and fatal interstitial lung disease associated with poor prognosis and limited effective treatment options. Reliable predictors of outcome in daily clinical practice are needed to determine high-risk patients for urgent lung transplantation referral. This study aimed to identify practical prognostic predictors of mortality using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in IPF subjects. ⋯ This study provides simple, practical, and novel cut-off points for CPET as predictors of prognosis to identify high-risk IPF subjects. Impairment in exercise capacity and abnormal ventilatory responses during CPET were associated with poorer survival in IPF subjects. The findings suggest considering the use of CPET for IPF risk stratification and prediction of prognosis. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT01499745.).
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In non-small-cell lung cancer patients, high peak oxygen uptake (peak V̇O2 ) predicts lower rates of postoperative complications and better long-term survival. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) may negatively impact peak V̇O2 . ⋯ NAC was associated with lower preoperative peak V̇O2 in subjects with non-small-cell lung cancer. This lower aerobic fitness may result from NAC-induced reduction in pulmonary gas exchange or heart toxicity. Since lower fitness is linked to poorer outcome, the decision for NAC may have to be balanced with its possible toxicity.
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The impulse oscillometry system is a noninvasive method of evaluating respiratory mechanics that is being increasingly used in the pediatric population. To date, no reference equations have been developed for healthy Brazilian children and adolescents. The purpose of the study was to determine the reference equations for impulse oscillometry system parameters in healthy children and adolescents. ⋯ Reference equations were developed for males and females, and height was the most influential predictor variable for most impulse oscillometry system parameters in the population studied.
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In several studies, low spirometric levels have been shown to increase the success rates of smoking cessation, whereas other studies have indicated that pulmonary function has no effects on quitting smoking. Given the fact that there are contradictory results on this subject, we aimed to investigate the effect of identifying airway obstruction via spirometry and its explanation to subjects on the success rate of smoking cessation in the short term. ⋯ Advanced age and the presence of obstruction on PFT increase the success of smoking cessation. Pulmonary function tests should be performed on all patients who apply to smoking cessation out-patient clinics, and patients should be informed about their condition.