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PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic accuracy and safety of a 14-gauge core needle versus a 22-gauge fine needle in the evaluation of thoracic lesions by CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical charts of all patients who underwent CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic core-needle biopsies (CNBs) with a 14-gauge Spirotome device (99 patients, 102 procedures) and fine-needle biopsies (FNBs) with a 22-gauge Rotex needle (92 patients, 102 procedures) between 2007 and 2013 at a single academic institution were retrospectively reviewed. Variables that could influence diagnostic accuracy and safety were collected. RESULTS: The overall and cancer-specific diagnostic accuracy rates were 90% and 94%, respectively, with CNB, versus 82% and 89% with FNB. Precise cancer type/subtype was provided by 97% of CNBs versus 65% of FNBs (P < .001). In patients with lung cancer considered for targeted therapy, biomarker analyses were feasible in 80% of CNBs versus 0% of FNBs (P < .001). The rate of pneumothorax was significantly higher with CNB versus FNB (31% vs 19%; P = .004), but chest tube insertion rates were similar (10% vs 11%, respectively). Major bleeding complications occurred in 1% of CNBs versus 2% of FNBs and were associated with one death in the CNB group. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous transthoracic CNB with a 14-gauge Spirotome needle provided better characterization of cancer lesions and allowed biomarker analyses without a significant increase in major procedural complications.

BACKGROUND: Airway resistance (RAW) and specific airway conductance (sGAW) are measures that reflect the patency of airways. Little is known of the variability of these measures between different lung diseases. This study investigated the contribution of RAW and sGAW to a diagnosis of obstructive airways disease and their role in differentiating asthma from COPD. METHODS: 976 subjects admitted for the first time to a pulmonary practice in Belgium were included. Clinical diagnoses were based on complete pulmonary function tests and supported by investigations of physicians' discretion. 651 subjects had a final diagnosis of obstructive diseases, 168 had another respiratory disease and 157 subjects had no respiratory disease (healthy controls). RESULTS: RAW and sGAW were significantly different (p < 0.0001) between obstructive and other groups. Abnormal RAW and sGAW were found in 39 % and 18 % of the population, respectively, in which 81 % and 90 % had diagnosed airway obstruction. Multiple regression revealed sGAW to be a significant and independent predictor of an obstructive disorder. To differentiate asthma from COPD, RAW was found to be more relevant and statistically significant. In asthma patients with normal FEV1/FVC ratio, both RAW and sGAW were more specific than sensitive diagnostic tests in differentiating asthma from healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: RAW and sGAW are significant factors that contribute to the diagnosis and differentiation of obstructive airways diseases

The central hypothesis supporting the work described here is that lung cancer development and progression is the consequence of the acquisition of multiple genetic alterations including mutations and copy number aberrations, and of the loss of tight regulatory mechanisms maintaining cellular physiological processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. The discovery of these oncogenic alterations and lost key regulatory proteins or pathways should lead to a better understanding of the disease process, and to novel diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. To test this central hypothesis, we took a dual approach: one gene-centric and the other unbiased high-throughput molecular approach. First, we hypothesized that the loss of the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) expression is an early event in lung cancer development and that the biology of this receptor may be implicated in tumorigenesis. This work stems from observations made in Professor Sibille’s Laboratory looking at the role of pIgR in airway biology, particularly host defense mechanisms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease where pIgR was found to be downregulated, such as in lung cancer. We made the observation that not only pIgR expression was lost early in lung cancer development but also that restoring its function in cancer cells inhibited cellular proliferation. The mechanisms of this observation are indirect and seem to implicate loss of cellular differentiation, loss of cellular polarization, and epithelial mesenchymal transition. Next, we turned to an unbiased genome-wide approach (as opposed to a gene-centric/candidate-based approach to investigate the role of pIgR) to explore SCLC pathogenesis in an unbiased way by interrogating the cancer genome. We focused on SCLC because of the lack of progress in this devastating disease. We analyzed SCLC primary tumors by array comparative genomic hybridization based on the hypothesis that DNA copy number aberrations would allow the ident, (SBIM 3) -- UCL, 2012

BACKGROUND: Although the reliability of cyclosporine (CyA) concentration at 2 (C2) hours postdosing has been established for kidney, liver, and heart transplant recipients, its use in lung cases remains to be validated. We investigated the relationship between CyA dual time point monitoring and long-term functional outcomes after lung transplantation. METHODS: We included data from 38 lung transplant recipients receiving CyA, azathioprins, and steroids in the study. CyA dosages were based on the trough concentrations. CyA concentrations at 0 (C0) and 2 (C2) hours postdosing were obtained at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months postoperative. We retrospectively compared average CyA level (C0 and C2) during the first 3 posttransplantation months with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory flow 25%-75 % (FEF 25-75), creatinine, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) using regression analysis via generalized estimating equations (GEE). RESULTS: Only improvement in FVC (P = .033) and deterioration of SBP (P < .001) were related to C0 monitoring. No correlation was observed between C0 and FEV1 (P = .13), FEF 25-75 (P = .48), creatinine (P = .07), and DBP (P = .97). Nor was any relationship observed between C2 concentrations and FEV1 (P = .64), FVC (P = .38), FEF 25-75 (P = .09), creatinine (P = .95), SBP (P = .73), or DBP (P = .51). CONCLUSION: There was a lack of a relationship between CyA concentrations (C0 and C2) and functional outcomes among de novo lung transplantations except for a positive correlation of 0 value with long-term improved FVC and increased SBP. This study suggested that C2 determinations may not improving lung recipient management.

We report a case of pulmonary hypertension linked to the scimitar syndrome. This is a rare pulmonary vascular malformation. This syndrome, well known of the pediatrics have also an adult form. Its clinical presentation is an insidious dyspnea associated with signs of right heart failure due to a moderate pulmonary hypertension or atrial septal defect. An awareness of this syndrome is important because its prognosis is good and its treatment is medical for most adult patients.

Necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis (NSG) is a rare systemic disease that was described by Liebow in 1973. Dyspnea and chest pain may be present, as in our first patient; however, 25% of patients are asymptomatic, as our second patient. The typical radiographic findings are nonspecific: single or multiple lung opacities, with common involvement of the pleura. To the best of our knowledge, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET has only been reported in one case of NSG, which was atypical as it occurred in an adolescent. We report 2 cases, confirming that the lesions of NSG are FDG positive, showing a typical pattern of multiple bilateral lung nodules (imaged with PET/CT in 1 case). FDG imaging has a potential role when this distribution is observed on CT, to guide the surgical biopsy and show the actual extent of the disease.

The aim of the present study was investigate the long-term effect of tiotropium as first maintenance respiratory medication in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A 4-yr, randomised, multicentre, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial (Understanding Potential Long-term Impacts on Function with Tiotropium (UPLIFT) was conducted. Analysis focused on the effect of tiotropium versus matching placebo in the 810 (13.5%) COPD patients not on other maintenance treatment (long-acting beta-agonists, inhaled corticosteroids, theophyllines or anticholinergics) at randomisation. Spirometry, health-related quality of life (St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score), exacerbations of COPD and mortality were also analysed. 403 patients (mean+/-sd age 63+/-8 yrs, post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) 53+/-12% predicted) received tiotropium and 407 (64+/-8 yrs of age, post-bronchodilator FEV(1) 51+/-12% pred) received placebo. Post-bronchodilator FEV(1) decline was 42+/-4 mL.yr(-1) in the tiotropium group and 53+/-4 mL.yr(-1) in the placebo group (p = 0.026). At 48 months, the morning pre-dose FEV(1) was 134 mL higher in the tiotropium group compared to the placebo group (p<0.001). SGRQ total score declined more slowly in the tiotropium group (difference of 1.05+/-0.34 units.yr(-1); p = 0.002). This was particularly significant for the impact (difference of 1.08+/-0.37 units.yr(-1); p = 0.004) and activity (1.44+/-0.40 units.yr(-1); p<0.001) domains, but not for symptoms (0.26+/-0.50 units.yr(-1); p = 0.6). At 48 months, the difference in total score was 4.6 units (p<0.001) with tiotropium compared to placebo. In patients with COPD who are not on maintenance therapy, tiotropium is associated with significant benefits in disease progression.

OBJECTIVE: Basiliximab (BAS), an interleukin-2 monoclonal antibody, has shown promising results as induction therapy in liver and kidney transplantation. We compared the efficacy and patient tolerability of BAS and antithymocyte globulin (ATG) in lung transplantation (LTx). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 37 patients in two groups (ATG and BAS, respectively). The indication for LTx was emphysema in 62.6% of patients in group 1 and 57.1% of patients in group 2. Mean (SD) patient characteristics compared in the two groups included age (52.0 [9.8] vs 54 [10.6] years), height (172.0 [10.1] vs 169 [7.55] cm), and weight (73.9 [15.3] vs 64.4 [14.2] kg) (P = .049). Induction therapy after LTx in the two groups was as follows: in 16 transplantation procedures (eight single and eight bilateral) performed between April 1998 and December 2002, ATG, 3 mg/kg/d for 3 days, was administered, and in 21 transplantation procedures (15 single and 6 bilateral) performed between January 2003 and July 2005, BAS, 20 mg on days 0 and 4, was given. Dosages of cyclosporine, azathioprine, and steroids for maintenance therapy were equivalent in the two groups. We retrospectively compared patient tolerability, occurrence of acute rejection or infection (from bacteria, cytomegalovirus [CMV], or Aspergillus), and outcomes between the two groups during 2 years of follow-up. RESULTS: No cytokine-mediated reaction was observed in either group; however, there was a difference in hematologic effects. On day 2, mean (SD) platelet count was significantly lower in the ATG group at 113,500 (56,400)/mm(3) vs 151,900 (57,300)/mm(3) (P = .046). Because of severe thrombocytopenia, three patients could not be given ATG on day 3. The overall incidence of aspergillosis (18.8% vs 19.0%) and CMV infection (31% vs 57%) was similar in the two groups. However, when the recipient was CMV-positive and the donor was CMV-negative, the there was a clear trend (33.3% vs 88.9%). The number of acute rejection episod

BACKGROUND: The beneficial effects of pharmacotherapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are well established. However, there are few data for treatment in the early stages of the disease. We examined the effect of tiotropium on outcomes in a large subgroup of patients with moderate COPD. METHODS: The Understanding Potential Long-Term Impacts on Function with Tiotropium (UPLIFT) study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial undertaken in 487 centres in 37 countries. 5993 patients aged 40 years or more with COPD were randomly assigned to receive 4 years of treatment with either once daily tiotropium (18 microg; n=2987) or matching placebo (n=3006), delivered by an inhalation device. Randomisation was by computer-generated blocks of four, with stratification according to study site. In a prespecified subgroup analysis, we investigated the effects of tiotropium in patients with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage II disease. Primary endpoints were the yearly rates of decline in prebronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) and in postbronchodilator FEV(1), beginning on day 30 until completion of double-blind treatment. The analysis included all patients who had at least three measurements of pulmonary function. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00144339. FINDINGS: 2739 participants (mean age 64 years [SD 9]) had GOLD stage II disease at randomisation (tiotropium, n=1384; control, n=1355), with a mean postbronchodilator FEV(1) of 1.63 L (SD 0.37; 59% of predicted value). 1218 patients in the tiotropium group and 1157 in the control group had three or more measurements of postbronchodilator pulmonary function after day 30 and were included in the analysis. The rate of decline of mean postbronchodilator FEV(1) was lower in the tiotropium group than in the control group (43 mL per year [SE 2] vs 49 mL per year [SE 2], p=0.024). For prebronchodilator pulmonary function, 122

What is the clinical use of carbon monoxide transfer test in 2009?

Airway anastomotic stenosis after lung transplantation is a potential cause of early morbidity and mortality, especially after double lung transplantation. A 55-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man were referred for ventilation-perfusion scans [Kr-81 and Tc-99m macroaggregated albumin (MAA)] for routine assessment 3 months after having benefited from a bilateral lung transplantation The unilateral absence of ventilation in each case suggested main bronchial obstruction. In the former patient, the bronchoscopy was inconsistent with the lung scan findings, showing only an incomplete stenosis secondary to an aspergillosis fibrin lesion. A worsening of the obstruction in the supine position was thus suspected and confirmed by improved ventilation in the upright position. In the latter case, the before and after ventilation-perfusion scans showed the benefits of dilatation treatment of the stenotic bronchial anastomosis. These cases illustrate the benefit of ventilation-perfusion scans in the detection of airway anastomotic stenosis after lung transplantation, even in non-, or poorly symptomatic patients, and their usefulness in the evaluation of the response to treatment.

Since lungs, great vessels and heart share together the main volume of the thorax, itself limited by the thoracic wall, variations in pressure or volume of each one must influence the work of the others especially in case of disease. Failure of the left heart overloads the pulmonary vascular bed, induces an interstitial oedema followed by an alveolar oedema with mostly restrictive functional consequences on the lung and disturbed gas exchange. Heart failure can be due to systolic or diastolic dysfunction. These consequences of myocardial and valve diseases of the left heart are initially revealed by unusual dyspnea during exercise worsening progressively to symptoms at rest and even during sleep. Informations obtained from history, physical examination, biology, radiography and echocardiography imaging procedures, respiratory function tests and polysomnography help to precise the diagnosis and the prognosis. The treatment of this cardiac lung conditions depends on its precise etiology.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess whether expiratory flow limitation (FL), as measured by applying a negative pressure at the mouth during tidal expiration, can evaluate the respiratory impairment in elderly patients. METHODS: The study was carried out in 67 consecutive elderly inpatients (24 men and 43 women). Negative expiratory pressure (NEP) of -5 (NEP 5) and -10 (NEP 10) cm H2O were applied during spontaneous tidal expiration. According to the results of the NEP technique, the patients were stratified in two categories: not flow limited and flow limited. We realized then classic forced expiratory manoeuvres (FEV1, FVC) and clinical evaluation of dyspnea (NYHA). According to the values of the lung function data, elderly patients were then divided in 3 groups (normal, obstructive, restrictive). RESULTS: The sensitivity, the specificity, the positive and negative predictive values for the diagnosis of obstructive syndrome by the presence of flow limitation during NEP 5 were 53, 74, 45, 79% respectively and 58, 83, 58, 83% respectively during NEP 10. These findings show that the correlation between FL obtained by the NEP technique during spontaneous breathing and spirometry is not very good despite the fact that both were well correlated with dyspnea score. CONCLUSIONS: In clinical practice, faced with an elderly dyspneic patient unable to perform maximal expiratory manoeuvres, the evaluation of flow limitation by NEP technique seems nor to be reliable to predict an obstructive functional impairment nor to be able to explain the origin of his dyspnea.

End-expiratory air trapping due to obstructive airway disease can be estimated through the measurement of intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure PEEPi. The influence of breathing-frequency and use of expiratory muscles on PEEPi were measured in 10 normal and 10 chronic bronchitic patients (COPD). Insignificant control values of PEEPi increased to measurable values at high breathing rate in normal subjects. Control values were higher in COPD patients and increased at fast breathing rate. When corrected for the use of expiratory muscles according to simultaneous gastric pressure drop, PEEPi decreased in COPD, but still increased at high rate. We conclude that modifying the respiratory rate can increase PEEPi values independently of the severity of airway obstruction and the use of expiratory muscles. Before estimating the pathological value of a PEEPi measurement or evaluating the effects of a treatment, we always need to know the simultaneous breathing frequency.

Nos travaux expérimentaux avaient pour but de mieux comprendre et d'améliorer notre prise en charge des patients BPCO traités par ventilation non invasive (VNI). Le but de cette ventilation est principalement d'augmenter la ventilation en diminuant le travail des muscles respiratoires. Le comportement inspiratoire du patient joue probablement un rôle dans le succès de la technique. Nous démontrons dans un premier temps que l'inspiration relâchée (le patient se laisse faire par le ventilateur) durant la VNI est certainement préférable à une inspiration active (le patient aide le respirateur) ou résistée (le patient résiste à l'insufflation du respirateur). En fait, quand on le compare avec une inspiration relâchée, le comportement actif augmente moins la ventilation que le travail inspiratoire. Le comportement résisté quant à lui diminue la ventilation minute. Ainsi, en cas d'exacerbation aiguë de BPCO, un comportement inspiratoire actif ou résisté pourrait affecter le bénéfice d'une VNI en mode pression positive. Cela est important à connaître car beaucoup de cliniciens semblent satisfaits quand ils observent leurs patients inspirés activement lors d'une VNI. Dans une seconde partie, nous démontrons que la réponse ventilatoire sous VNI est similaire chez le patient BPCO normocapnique ou hypercapnique. Nous montrons aussi que la ventilation en mode nCPAP est probablement suffisante chez le patient normocapnique car elle diminue le travail inspiratoire sans risque d'hypocapnie tandis que la ventilation en mode BiPAP est nécessaire pour améliorer la ventilation en diminuant le travail inspiratoire chez le patient hypercapnique. D'après la littérature, la VNI devrait faire partie de l'arsenal thérapeutique de première ligne dans le traitement des patients BPCO hypercapniques admis en salle d'urgence. Pourtant en Belgique, notre étude épidémiologique montre que seulement 50% des services d'urgences utilisent ce type de traitement. Cela est dû principalement, After an introduction describing some useful knowledge about non invasive ventilation (NIV) in chronic obstructive COPD patients, the work has been divided in two main parts. First part: experimental studies Although NIV is more and more used in clinical practice for exacerbation of COPD patients, some questions persist about the application of this technique. In this part, we have tried to answer three questions. (1)Does inspiratory behaviour ventilation, respiratory work and intrinsic PEEP during non invasive nasal pressure? After having started experimentation with normal healthy subjects (for safety reasons and in order to control the technique), we have performed one study in stable COPD patients. In this study we showed that when compared with relaxed inspiratory behaviour, an active inspiratory effort increases less the ventilation than the respiratory work despite an absence of change in breathing frequency. Intrinsic PEEPis increased by an active behaviour during PSV but not during biPAP. A resisted behaviour (when the patient resists to the insufflation if the PSV) decreases the ventilation. The aims of NIV being to increase ventilation and to unload the inspiratory muscles, our results suggest that during NIV, a relaxed spontaneous breathing is preferable and should be encouraged. (2) Do the breathing and the use of expiratory muscles influence the dynamic positive end expiratory pressure ? Here, it has been principally a work of methodology. We have studied the influence of respiratory rate variations on PEEPi measurement with and without correction by gastric pressure in normal and stable COPD patients. We showed that modifying the respiratory rate alters the measurement of PEEPi independently of the airway obstruction and of the use of expiratory muscles. Hence, a correct appreciation of the pathological value of a PEEPi measurement, or its use in evaluating the effects of a treatment, requires knowledge of the concomitant breathing frequency, Thèse de doctorat en sciences médicales (MED 3) -- UCL, 2003

OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare the effect of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP), inspiratory pressure support (PSV), and bilevel positive airway pressure (biPAP) on ventilatory parameters and inspiratory work (WOB) in normocapnic and hypercapnic patients with stable COPD. METHODS: While administering nasal pressure support to 10 normocapnic and 10 hypercapnic patients with COPD, we measured airflow and volume with a pneumotachograph as well as esophageal and gastric pressures under nCPAP, PSV, and biPAP conditions. RESULTS: nCPAP had no influence on ventilatory parameters but decreased WOB and transdiaphragmatic work (Wdi) at 10 cm H(2)O of pressure in both groups. With PSV and biPAP, ventilatory parameters increased proportionally to the inspiratory applied pressure. WOB and Wdi decreased significantly in both groups while increasing the pressure support. A similar decrease was observed during biPAP proportionally to the level of pressure support. The diaphragmatic pressure-time product decreased similarly in both groups during PSV and biPAP. CONCLUSION: The ventilatory response under nCPAP, PSV, and biPAP conditions is similar in hypercapnic and normocapnic patients with stable COPD; PSV and biPAP increase ventilatory parameters and improve Wdi. On the contrary, nCPAP improves WOB but does not increase ventilatory parameters.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The assessment of pulmonary function in elderly persons is not often easy in the clinical practice because of poor patient collaboration. A new technique, negative expiratory pressure (NEP), should provide a simple, rapid and non-invasive method for detecting flow limitation without collaboration of the patients. Our aim was to investigate whether it is possible to detect an expiratory flow limitation during resting breathing with NEP in elderly patients unable to perform a forced expiratory maneuver. METHODS: In 15 elderly inpatients (4 males and 11 females, mean age 83+/-4.7 SD years) unable to realize the classical forced expiratory maneuver because of poor coordination or cognitive disturbance, we applied the NEP technique during spontaneous breathing. RESULTS: NEP application during resting breathing was easily and rapidly performed in all cases without side effects. During NEP (-5cmH2O and NEP -10cmH2O), 6 and 5/15 patients were flow limited; mean flow limitation was 60+/-9% and 70+/-15% respectively. These results were reproducible with repeated NEP tests. CONCLUSIONS: Application of negative pressure at the mouth during tidal expiration provides a simple method for detecting expiratory flow limitation during spontaneous breathing in elderly patients with poor collaboration.

Planar pulmonary scintigraphy is still regularly performed for the evaluation of pulmonary embolism (PE). However, only about 50-80% of cases can be resolved by this approach. This study evaluates the ability of tomographic acquisition (single photon emission computed tomography, SPECT) of the perfusion scan to improve the radionuclide diagnosis of PE. One hundred and fourteen consecutive patients with a suspicion of PE underwent planar and SPECT lung perfusion scans as well as planar ventilation scans. The final diagnosis was obtained by using an algorithm, including D-dimer measurement, leg ultrasonography, a V/Q scan and chest spiral computed tomography, as well as the patient outcome. A planar perfusion scan was considered positive for PE in the presence of one or more wedge shaped defect, while SPECT was considered positive with one or more wedge shaped defect with sharp borders, three-plane visualization, whatever the photopenia. A definite diagnosis was achieved in 70 patients. After exclusion of four 'non-diagnostic' SPECT images, the prevalence of PE was 23% (n =15). Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibilities were 91%/94% and 79%/88% for planar/SPECT images, respectively. The sensitivities for PE diagnosis were similar for planar and SPECT perfusion scans (80%), whereas SPECT had a higher specificity (96% vs 78%; P =0.01). SPECT correctly classified 8/9 intermediate and 31/32 low probability V/Q scans as negative. It is concluded that lung perfusion SPECT is readily performed and reproducible. A negative study eliminates the need for a combined V/Q study and most of the 'non-diagnostic' V/Q probabilities can be solved with a perfusion image obtained by using tomography.

The aim of this study is to assess the influence of the negative expiratory pressure (NEP) technique on the performance of maximal expiratory manoeuvre in elderly patients. Firstly, the authors studied how NEP (at 5 and 10 cmH2O, NEP5 and NEP10) influences forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in 60 young healthy volunteers, in order to assess the fluctuations of the method. In the second part of the study, 65 successive elderly inpatients (>70 yrs old) were examined. In this group, 15 elderly patients were unable to perform the manoeuvre, 27 had a normal function, 14 had a lung function with obstructive pattern and nine with restrictive pattern. In young subjects, FVC during NEP5 and NEP10 compared to baseline values was 101+/-5%, and 103+/-5%, respectively, and FEV1 was 100+/-4% and 101+/-5%, respectively. In elderly patients with normal function, FVC during NEP5 and NEP10 compared to baseline values was 99+/-14% and 109+/-23%, respectively, and FEV1 was 97+/-9% and 104+/-13%, respectively. There were no relevant effects of the NEP application on FVC or FEV1 values in elderly patients with an obstructive or restrictive pattern. In elderly patients, the use of the negative expiratory pressure technique during maximal expiratory manoeuvres provides little complementary information compared to a classical manoeuvre. The negative expiratory pressure technique did not modify the initial diagnosis when compared with the classical manoeuvre.

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is more and more used. Some failures of the technique have been reported, and efforts are needed to understand them. Collaboration (inspiratory behaviour) of the patient during NIV could play a role in the success of this technique. We have studied the influence of this one on the efficiency of NIV. While ventilating 10 stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with a nasal pressure support ventilation (PSV), we measured their flow and volume with a pneumotachograph and oesophageal and gastric pressures during three different respiratory voluntary behaviours: relaxed inspiration, active inspiratory effort and resisted inspiration. We showed that when compared with the relaxed inspiration: (a) Active inspiratory effort increases slightly minute ventilation from 14.8 +/- 4.7 to 15.41 +/- 4.19 during PSV 10/0 without change of breathing frequency but with an important increase of inspiratory work (W(OB)) from 14.47 +/- 9.43 to 28.55 +/- 25.35 J/min (P=0.008). PEEPi increases with active behaviour during PSV but not during BiPAP. (b) A resisted inspiration decreases inspiratory work (to 7.53 +/- 8.6 J/min) at the price of a decrease of the minute ventilation to 11.47 +/- 4.20 l/min (P=0.06). Results of ventilation, PEEPi and work parameters were identical during the bilevel pressure support (15/5 cm H2O). The aims of NIV being to increase ventilation and unload the inspiratory muscles, our results suggest that during NIV, a relaxed spontaneous breathing is preferable. These differences between the inspiratory behaviours could affect the expected benefits of PSV in acutely ill patients.

Simple thoracoseopic talcage (TT) is a safe and effective treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). However, its efficacy has not previously been estimated in comparison with standard conservative therapy (pleural drainage (PD)). In this prospective randomised comparison of two well-established procedures of treating PSP requiring at least a chest tube, cost-effectiveness, safety and pain control was evaluated in 108 patients with PSP (61 TT and 47 PD). Patients in both groups had comparable clinical characteristics. Drainage and hospitalisation duration were similar in TT and PD patients. There were no complications in either group. The immediate success rate was different: after prolonged drainage (>7 days), 10 out of 47 PD patients, but only I out of 61 TT patients required a TT as a second procedure. Total costs of hospitalisation including any treatment procedure were not significantly different between TT and PD patients. Pain, measured daily by visual analogue scales, was statistically higher during the first 3 days in TT patients but not in those patients receiving opiates. One month after leaving hospital, there was no significant difference in residual pain or full working ability: 20 out of 58 (34%) versus 10 out of 47 (21%) and 36 out of 61 (59%) versus 26 out of 39 (67%) in TT versus PD groups, respectively. After 5 yrs of follow-up, there had been only three out of 59 (5%) recurrences of pneumothorax after TT, but 16 out of 47 (34%) after conservative treatment by PD. Cost calculation favoured TT pleurodesis; especially with regard to recurrences. In conclusion, thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis under local anaesthesia is superior to conservative treatment by chest tube drainage in cases of primary spontaneous pneumothorax that fail simple aspiration, provided there is efficient control of pain by opioids.

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A study was undertaken to assess the availability and use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) for the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in emergency departments in Belgium. A questionnaire was sent to the head physicians of 145 emergency departments (EDs) found in the list of the Belgian College of Emergency Physicians (BeCEP). Ninety eight questionnaires were analysed (representing 68% of the questionnaires sent). NIV was used in 49% of the EDs. In the hospitals where NIV was not used, the most important reasons given were no available equipment in 71%, lack of experience with this form of treatment in 32.7%, and more time consuming for physicians and nursing staff in 22.8%. Only 3.8% of the physicians doubted the benefit of NIV treatment. In the hospitals where NIV was used, the patient was watched during the first hour by one nurse only in 19.6%, by one physician in 8.6% and by a nurse and a physician in 54.5%. NIV was used for more than 4 h in 33% of EDs. Pressure-controlled ventilation (with home respirators) was used more often than volume-controlled ventilation., Journal Article, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) has become an accepted therapeutic option to relieve symptoms of selected patients with severe emphysema. In a majority of these, it causes objective as well as subjective functional improvement. A proper understanding of the physiological determinants underlying these beneficial effects appears very important in order to better select patients for the procedure which is currently largely done on an empirical basis. On the average, LVRS results in two distinct effects. First, it increases the lung elastic recoil which explains at least partially the enhanced maximal expiratory flow. Second, it is associated with a reduction of hyperinflation which allows for an increase in global inspiratory muscle strength and in diaphragmatic contribution to tidal volume (VT) as well as a decrease if the inspiratory elastic load imposed by the inward movement of the chest wall at the beginning of inspiration. Taken together, these effects result in a reduced dyspnea and increased exercise capacity after surgery. The improved lung recoil and the reduced hyperinflation after volume reduction surgery were the primary postulates upon which the usual selection criteria for the procedure were based. It is now likely that these were correct. Nevertheless, some patients do not benefit from LVRS and the current literature does not allow us to refine the selection process from a physiological point of view. The exact mechanisms underlying the improvement of lung recoil, lung mechanics, and respiratory muscle function remain incompletely understood. Moreover, the effects of LVRS on gas exchange and pulmonary hemodynamics are still to be more fully investigated. An analysis of the characteristics of patients who do not benefit from the procedure and the development of an animal model fro LVRS would probably help us to address these important issues, Thèse de doctorat en sciences médicales (MED 3)--UCL, 2002

A study was undertaken to assess the availability and use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) for the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in emergency departments in Belgium. A questionnaire was sent to the head physicians of 145 emergency departments (EDs) found in the list of the Belgian College of Emergency Physicians (BeCEP). Ninety eight questionnaires were analysed (representing 68% of the questionnaires sent). NIV was used in 49% of the EDs. In the hospitals where NIV was not used, the most important reasons given were no available equipment in 71%, lack of experience with this form of treatment in 32.7%, and more time consuming for physicians and nursing staff in 22.8%. Only 3.8% of the physicians doubted the benefit of NIV treatment. In the hospitals where NIV was used, the patient was watched during the first hour by one nurse only in 19.6%, by one physician in 8.6% and by a nurse and a physician in 54.5%. NIV was used for more than 4 h in 33% of EDs. Pressure-controlled ventilation (with home respirators) was used more often than volume-controlled ventilation., Journal Article, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

info:eu-repo/semantics/published

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutations in patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). DESIGN: Case-control study. All subjects in the study were screened for the presence of 13 mutations in the CFTR gene (R117H, 621 + 1G(-)>T, R334 W, Delta F508, Delta I507, 1717-1G(-)>A, G542X, R553X, G551D, R1162X, 3849 + 10kbC(-)>T, W1282X, and N1303K). Moreover, they were also screened for the presence of the 5T variant in intron 8. SETTING: University hospital and community-based hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-one white patients with ABPA participated in the study. The presence of CFTR mutations was also investigated in 43 white subjects with allergic asthma who did not show sensitization to Aspergillus fumigatus and in 142 subjects seeking genetic counseling for diseases other than cystic fibrosis (CF). RESULTS: Six patients with ABPA were found to be heterozygous for one CFTR mutation, including Delta F508 (n = 2), G542X (n = 1), R1162X (n = 1), 1717-1G(-)>A (n = 1), and R117H (n = 1). The 5T allele was not detected in ABPA patients. None of the ABPA patients showed sweat chloride concentrations > 60 mEq/L. The frequency of CFTR mutation carriers was significantly higher in ABPA patients (6 of 21 patients; 28.5%) than in control asthmatic subjects (2 of 43 subjects; 4.6%; p = 0.01) and in subjects seeking genetic counseling (6 of 142 subjects; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that in patients without a clinical diagnosis of CF, CFTR gene mutations could be involved in the development of ABPA, in association with other genetic or environmental factors.

[Thoracic pain and balloon image in a young woman]

Patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) commonly present to the emergency department for treatment. Some of them, despite appropriate therapy become more dyspnoeic with increasing acute respiratory failure. The requirement for intubation and mechanical ventilation is for these patients often associated with a prolonged and complicated intensive care unit stay and has been associated with morbidity and mortality rates in excess. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) emerged recently as a means of reducing those complications. NIV can be a safe and effective means of augmenting ventilation and decreasing inspiratory work in many patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. NIV is generally started in the intensive care unit. Except for a few negative studies, the overall compending studies seem to be in favour of the utilization of NIV in cases of exacerbation of COPD patients. There are few published data on the question whether NIV could or should be started earlier and initiated in the emergency department. It seems that NIV treatment could be an effective addition to standard treatment especially for acute exacerbation of COPD. A more extensive and routine use of non-invasive ventilation in the emergency department requires further study.

The aim of the present study was to compare the evolution of pulmonary haemodynamics and of arterial blood gases in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with mild-to-moderate hypoxaemia, with or without sleep-related oxygen desaturation. COPD patients with daytime arterial oxygen partial pressure in the range 56-69 mmHg were included prospectively. Sleep-related oxygen desaturation was defined as spending greater than or equal to 30% of the nocturnal recording time with arterial oxygen saturation < 90%. From the 64 patients included, 35 were desaturators (group 1) and 29 were nondesaturators (group 2). At baseline (to), patients with sleep-related desaturation had a significantly higher daytime (mean +/- SD) arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (Pa,CO2) (44.9 +/- 4.9 mmHg versus 41.0 +/- 4.1 mmHg, p = 0.001) whereas mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was similar in the two groups. After 2 yrs (t2) of followup, 22 desaturators and 14 nondesaturators could be re-evaluated, including pulmonary haemodynamic measurements. None of the nondesaturator patients became desaturators at t2. The difference between the two groups in terms of daytime Pa,co, was still present at t2. The mean changes in mPAP from to to t2 were similar between the two groups, as were the rates of death or requirement for long-term oxygen therapy (American Thoracic Society criteria) during follow-up of up to 6 yrs. The presence of sleep-related oxygen desaturation is not a transitional state before the worsening of daytime arterial blood gases, but is a characteristic of some chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients who have a higher daytime arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure. Such isolated nocturnal hypoxaemia or sleep-related worsening of moderate daytime hypoxaemia does not appear to favour the development of pulmonary hypertension, nor to lead to worsening of daytime blood gases.

SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Isocyanates may be involved in the development of chronic obstructive airway disease among exposed workers. A short-term exposure to toluene diisocyanate (TDI) at concentrations near the permissible levels was investigated to examine whether there was an association with changes in pulmonary function tests and in potential markers of airway injury and inflammation in bronchial lavage (BL) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Seventeen subjects without respiratory symptoms (eight smokers and nine nonsmokers) were exposed once to ambient air and once to TDI (5 parts per billion (ppb) for 6 h followed by 20 ppb for 20 min) in a randomized, single-blind sequence. Pulmonary function tests were repeatedly assessed during exposure and BAL was performed 1 h after each exposure. Biochemical studies on lavage fluids included albumin, immunoglobulins, antiproteases (alpha2-macroglobulin and alpha1-proteinase inhibitor), potential indicators of epithelial cell function (secretory component and Clara cell protein), and cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-8). Exposure to TDI caused a modest decrease in specific airway conductance (sGaw) (p=0.053) and in maximal expiratory flow at 25% of forced vital capacity (MEF25%) (p=0.015) when compared with ambient air. Exposure to TDI resulted in a slight increase in BAL albumin level (TDI: 26.4+/-12.5 versus air: 21.8+/-8.6 microg x mL(-1), p=0.044) and in BL alpha2-macroglobulin concentration (TDI: 0.07+/-0.061 versus air: 0.05+/-0.04 microg x mL(-1), p=0.021). This study suggests that exposure to low toluene disocyanate concentrations is associated with minimal but detectable changes in airway calibre and in epithelial barrier permeability. The pulmonary effects of long-term exposure to low levels of isocyanates require further investigation.

The beneficial effects of nocturnal oxygen therapy (NOT) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COP) patients with mild-to-moderate daytime hypoxaemia (arterial oxygen tension (Pa,O-2) in the range 7.4-9.2 kPa (56-69 mmHg)) and exhibiting sleep-related oxygen desaturation remains controversial, The effectiveness of NOT in that category of COP patients was studied. The end points included pulmonary haemodynamic effects after 2 yrs of follow-up, survival and requirement for long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). Seventy-six patients could be randomized, 41 were allocated to NOT and 35 to no NOT (control), The goal of NOT was to achieve an arterial oxygen saturation of >90% throughout the night. All these patients underwent polysomnography to exclude an associated obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. The two groups exhibited an identical mean SD, daytime Pa,O-2 of 8.4+/-0.4 kPa (63+/-3 mmHg) at baseline. Twenty-two patients (12 in the NOT group and 10 in the control group, p=0.98) required LTOT during the whole follow-up (35+/-14 months). Sixteen patients died, nine in the NOT group and seven in the control group (p=0.84). Forty-six patients were able to undergo pulmonary haemodynamic re-evaluation after 2 yrs, 24 in the NOT and 22 in the control group. In the control group, mean resting pulmonary artery pressure increased from 19.8+/-5.6 to 20.5+/-6.5 mmHg, which,vas not different from the change in mean pulmonary artery pressure in the NOT group, from 18.3+/-4.7 to 19.5+/-5.3 mmHg (p=0.79). Nocturnal oxygen therapy did not modify the evolution of pulmonary haemodynamics and did not allow delay in the prescription of long-term oxygen therapy No effect of NOT on survival was observed, but the small number of deaths precluded any firm conclusion. These results suggest that the prescription of nocturnal oxygen therapy in isolation Is probably not justified in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Medical thoracoscopy is an efficient technique to evaluate the gravity of a spontaneous pneumothorax in order to choose the most appropriate treatment. Classification of lesions into four types (from endoscopically normal lungs to large bullae) guides the choice from local talc pleurodesis to surgical bullectomy and pleurectomy. Most patients with the first three types can be treated with talc pleurodesis, with a good success rate (93%) and no functional sequelae (lung volumes within the normal range in primary pneumothorax and similar to previous values in secondary pneumothorax). Neuroleptanalgesia in association with patient-controlled analgesia appears to be superior to local anaesthesia in the prevention of immediate pain induced by talc poudrage. Talc pleurodesis is the treatment of choice for recurring spontaneous pneumothorax because of its high success rate and absence of complications.

A meta-analysis of clinical trials of antihistamines was performed to assess the risk-benefit ratio of this therapeutic class in asthma. Double- blind randomized placebo-controlled trials assessing lung function changes under repeated use of antihistamine in adult asthma were selected, and the quality of studies was scored. Morning peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was the primary outcome: an effect size was computed for each study, with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI), and a mean effect size was computed, combining all studies. Effect sizes were also determined for secondary outcomes: evening PEFR, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and daily use of inhaled β-agonists. Nineteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Mean quality score of studies was 59.4%; asthma was generally uncontrolled at study inclusion. Altogether, 582 antihistamine-treated and 557 placebo- treated asthma patients were evaluable. Antihistamines had little effect on airway calibre (mean increase in morning PEFR: 13 L·min -1; 95 CI: 8-18 L·min -1) and on use of inhaled β-agonists (mean reduction in daily use: 0.4 doses; 95% CI: 0-0.8 doses). Sedation occurred more often with antihistamines than with placebo (p<0.001); additional side-effects were mentioned, including weight gain, altered taste, headache and dry mouth. Respiratory and systemic effects observed after repeated use of antihistamines do not support the use of these medications in the treatment of asthma; better designed studies could affect this appraisal., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can be the etiologic agents of chronic pulmonary disease, lymphadenitis, skin and soft-tissue infection and disseminated disease in non-immunocompromised patients. The recognition of disease needs repeated isolation of the NTM from bronchopulmonary secretions or from tissue biopsies, and its identification by specific laboratory methods. A wide spectrum of clinical presentations and severity of disease can be found, from spontaneous healing to progressive and destructive lung disease, and death, according to predisposing conditions and mycobacterial species. The choice of surgical and drug treatment will depend on identification of specific pathogen and clinical evaluation.

A meta-analysis of clinical trials of antihistamines was performed to assess the risk-benefit ratio of this therapeutic class in asthma. Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trials assessing lung function changes under repeated use of antihistamine in adult asthma were selected, and the quality of studies was scored, Morning peak expiratory now rate (PEER) was the primary outcome: an effect size was computed for each study, with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI), and a mean effect size was computed, combining all studies, Effect sizes were also determined for secondary outcomes: evening PEER, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and daily use of inhaled beta-agonists, Nineteen studies were included in the meta-analysis, Mean quality score of studies was 59.4%; asthma was generally uncontrolled at study inclusion. Altogether, 582 antihistamine-treated and 557 placebo-treated asthma patients were evaluable, Antihistamines had little effect on airway calibre (mean increase in morning PEER: 13 L.min(-1); 95 Cl: 8-18 L.min(-1)) and on use of inhaled beta-agonists (mean reduction in daily use: 0.4 doses; 95% CI: 0-0.8 doses), Sedation occurred more often with antihistamines than with placebo (p<0.001); additional side-effects were mentioned, including weight gain, altered taste, headache and dry mouth, Respiratory and systemic effects observed after repeated use of antihistamines do not support the use of these medications in the treatment of asthma; better designed studies could affect this appraisal.

It has been hypothesized but not firmly established that sleep-related hypoxaemia could favour the development of pulmonary hypertension in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COBB) patients without marked daytime hyperaemia, We have investigated the relationships between pulmonary function data, sleep-related desaturation and daytime pulmonary haemodynamics in a group of 94 COPD patients not qualifying for conventional O-2 therapy (daytime arterial oxygen tension (Pa,O-2) in the range 7.4-9.2 kPa (56-69 mmHg)), Nocturnal desaturation was defined by spending greater than or equal to 30% of the recording time with a transcutaneous O-2 Saturation <90%. An obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome was excluded by polysomnography, Sixty six patients were desaturators (Group 1) and 28 were nondesaturators (Group 2). There was no significant difference between Groups 1 and 2 with regard to pulmonary volumes and Pa,O-2 (8.4+/-0.6 vs 8.4+/-0.4 kPa (63+/-4; vs 63+/-3 mmHg)) but arterial carbon dioxide tension (Pa,CO2) was higher in Group 1 (6.0+/-0.7 vs 5.3+/-0.5 kPa (45+/-5 vs 40+/-4 mmHg); p<0,0001), Mean pulmonary artery pressure (<(P)over bar pa>) was very similar in the two groups (2.6+/-0.7 vs 2.5+/-0.6 kPa (19+/-5 vs 19+/-4 mmHg)). No individual variable or combination of variables could predict the presence of pulmonary hypertension. It is concluded that in these patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with modest daytime hypoxaemia, functional and gasometric variables (with the noticeable exception of arterial carbon dioxide tension) cannot predict the presence of nocturnal desaturation; and that mean pulmonary artery pressure is not correlated with the degree and duration of nocturnal hypoxaemia. These results do not support the hypothesis that sleep-related hypoxaemia favours the development of pulmonary hypertension.