Monaldi archives for chest disease = Archivio Monaldi per le malattie del torace / Fondazione clinica del lavoro, IRCCS [and] Istituto di clinica tisiologica e malattie apparato respiratorio, Università di Napoli, Secondo ateneo
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Monaldi Arch Chest Dis · Oct 2002
ReviewNon invasive mechanical ventilation in cystic fibrosis: physiological effects and monitoring.
Chronic respiratory insufficiency in cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterised by an increase in respiratory load, which leads to alveolar hypoventilation with the preservation of respiratory muscle strength. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) is able to improve alveolar ventilation and thus gas exchange and allow the the respiratory muscles to rest in patients with cystic fibrosis with variable severity of lung disease. ⋯ After a successful evaluation, the monitoring of patients starting NIMV can be performed with simple, non invasive parameters such as gas exchange, tidal volume, respiratory rate, minute ventilation and comfort. In the long term however, studies are warranted to assess the benefit of NIMV in terms of lung function, quality of sleep and most importantly, quality of life.
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Sleep has well recognised effects on respiratory muscle function, most of which are detrimental. Upper airway dilator muscle function is compromised, which predisposes to obstruction, particularly during rapid-eye-movement sleep (REM). ⋯ However, accessory muscle function is reduced, particularly during REM sleep, which may have adverse effects on lung mechanics. These changes contribute to hypoventilation and worsening ventilation-perfusion mismatching, particularly in patients with chronic lung disease such as COPD, with resulting oxygen desaturation.
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Monaldi Arch Chest Dis · Oct 2002
ReviewNocturnal ventilation in neuromuscular disease--when and how?
While much evidence has been gained over the last decade to support the use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in a series of acute and chronic applications, some issues still need to be addressed, particularly regarding the timing of initiation of NIV and the best methods of implementation. This article discusses the role of NIV, if any, in preventing respiratory decline, as a physiotherapy adjunct, and in perioperative care for adults and children with neuromuscular disease.
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Air pollution is one of the world's most serious environmental problems. It has been common knowledge for many years now that the lung is one of the main target organs of environmental agents. Over the last ten years, in particular, lung diseases have increased dramatically and the literature on the subject reports high death rates from lung cancer and an increased incidence of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ Moreover, air irritants can give rise to inflammatory damage of the mucous membrane of the airways, thereby making it more susceptible to various types of allergens. In conclusion, air pollution is an important etiological factor for many chronic respiratory disorders, such as bronchial asthma and COPD. Prevention programs and early treatments are essential in an attempt to block the clinical-functional deterioration caused by these respiratory diseases.
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Monaldi Arch Chest Dis · May 2002
Review[Neurologic events after heart surgery: the need for a more thorough preoperative assessment].
The occurrence of neurologic complications after cardiac surgery varies widely and has increased during the last years for several reasons: older age of patients, higher prevalence aortic valve replacement, and more careful diagnosis of cerebral ischemia. Recent studies showed that embolic mechanism is involved in most patients, and two main clinical outcomes are detectable: type I outcome, consisting of TIA and ischemic stroke, and type II outcome, consisting of cognitive defects and seizures. ⋯ The preoperative work-up should include two-dimensional echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography (for detecting patients with ascending aortic lesion who need alternative surgical strategies, i.e. different site of cross clamping, cannulation, and proximal anastomosis of the venous graft), Doppler ultrasound of carotid arteries (for identifying those candidates to combined surgery), and psychobehavioural evaluation (for selecting patients with cognitive deterioration who could be treat by off-pump surgery). In conclusion, a preoperative stratification of the neurologic risk, and a more careful postoperative monitoring should be mandatory for preventing and adequately treating neurologic complications of cardiac surgery.