Diagnosis, Assessment, and Treatment of Non-Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Pulmonary Hypertension

The 4th World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension was the first international meeting to focus not only on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) but also on the so-called non-PAH forms of pulmonary hypertension (PH). The term ""non-PAH PH"" summarizes those forms of PH that are found in groups 2 to 5 of the current classification of PH, that is, those forms associated with left heart disease, chronic lung disease, recurrent venous thromboembolism, and other diseases. Many of these forms of PH are much more common than PAH, but all of them have been less well studied, especially in terms of medical therapy. The working group on non-PAH PH focused mainly on 4 conditions: chronic obstructive lung disease, interstitial lung disease, chronic thromboembolic PH, and left heart disease. The medical literature regarding the role of PH in these diseases was reviewed, and recommendations regarding diagnosis and treatment of PH in these conditions are provided. Given the lack of robust clinical trials addressing PH in any of these conditions, it is important to conduct further studies to establish the role of medical therapy in non-PAH PH. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2009;54:S85-96) (C) 2009 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation

Factores que influenciam a actividade física na vida diária dos doentes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crónica

RESUMO: A monitorização da actividade física diária nos doentes com Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crónica (DPOC) tem sido alvo de grande interesse nos últimos tempos. No entanto, ainda nenhum estudo reuniu o conjunto de factores – grau de obstrução, hiperinsuflação pulmonar, alteração das trocas gasosas, dispneia, dessaturação de oxigénio, capacidade de exercício, ansiedade e depressão – que podem afectar a sua realização, nem os correlacionou com os dados obtidos com o pedómetro e que reflectem o que cada doente realmente faz no seu dia-adia. O presente estudo teve como objectivo principal identificar os factores que influenciam a actividade física na vida diária dos doentes com DPOC. Estudaram-se 55 doentes do sexo masculino com idade média de 67 anos e um FEV1 médio de 50,8% do previsto, com DPOC moderada a muito grave (estadios II a IV), de entre os utentes do Laboratório de Fisiopatologia Respiratória do Centro Hospitalar de Torres Vedras. Avaliaram-se os parâmetros da escala de dispneia modificada do Medical Research Council (MMRC), escala London Chest Activity of Daily Living (LCADL), escala de Ansiedade e Depressão Hospitalar (HADS), índice BODE, estudo funcional respiratório em repouso, teste de marcha de seis minutos e o número de passos por dia utilizando um pedómetro por um período de três dias. Observou-se que os doentes deram em média 4972 passos por dia e apresentaram uma cotação total média de 17,7 na LCADL, tendo existido diferenças estatisticamente significativas em função da gravidade da doença, sendo que os doentes mais graves são os que em média andam menos no seu dia-a-dia e apresentam maior limitação na realização das actividades de vida diária. O número de passos por dia apresentou correlações significativas com as variáveis idade, dispneia, depressão, hiperinsuflação monar, gravidade de obstrução (FEV1), trocas gasosas (DLCO), saturação arterial de oxigénio mínima e correlação mais forte com a distância percorrida no TM6m. Este estudo permitiu identificar que os factores determinantes da actividade física na vida diária de doentes com DPOC nos estadios II a IV, foram a dispneia e a distância percorrida no TM6m. Além disso, estes doentes constituem um grupo sedentário, particularmente a partir do estadio III, com níveis de actividade física diária baixos.-----------ABSTRACT There has been an increased interest in monitoring the daily physical activity in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). However, no specific study has been realized so far that has put the different factors which can affect the results obtained altogether, (such as the degree of obstruction, pulmonary hyperinflation, abnormal gas exchange, dyspnea, oxygen desaturation, exercise capacity, anxiety and depression) or correlated with data obtained from the pedometer, which reflect each patient actual activity in their daily life. This study aimed to identify the main factors that influence physical activity in daily life of patients with COPD. The scope of this study was 55 male patients with an average age of 67 years old and an average FEV1 of 50.8% predicted, with moderate to severe COPD (stages II to IV), among patients from the Respiratory Pathophysiology Laboratory of the Centro Hospitalar de Torres Vedras. Were evaluated the parameters of the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (MMRC), London Chest Activity of Daily Living scale (LCADL), Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS), BODE index, pulmonary function test at rest, six minute walk test (6MWT) and the number of steps per day using a pedometer for a period of three days. It was observed that patients have walked an average of 4972 steps per day and had a total score of 17.7 at LCADL, and statistically significant differences were stated depending on the severity of the disease. Whereas patients with a more severe degree of the disease have walked least in their daily life and show greater restraint in carrying out activities of daily living. The number of steps per day showed significant correlations with age, dyspnea, depression, lung hyperinflation, severity of obstruction (FEV1), gas exchange (DLCO), minimum arterial oxygen saturation and stronger correlation with distance walked on 6MWT. This study shows that the crucial factors of physical activity in daily life of COPD patients at stages II to IV were dyspnea and distance on 6MWT. Moreover, these patients constitute a sedentary group, particularly from the stage III, with lower levels of daily physical activity.

The European Respiratory Society spirometry tent: a unique form of screening for airway obstruction.

In order to raise public awareness of the importance of early detection of airway obstruction and to enable many people who had not been tested previously to have their lung function measured, the European Lung Foundation and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) organised a spirometry testing tent during the annual ERS Congresses in 2004-2009. Spirometry was performed during the ERS Congresses in volunteers; all participants answered a simple, brief questionnaire on their descriptive characteristics, smoking and asthma. Portable spirometers were freely provided by the manufacturer. Nurses and doctors from pulmonary departments of local hospitals/universities gave their service for free. Lower limit of normal (LLN) and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria for diagnosing and grading airway obstruction were used. Of 12,448 participants in six congress cities, 10,395 (83.5%) performed acceptable spirometry (mean age 51.0 ± 18.4 yrs; 25.5% smokers; 5.5% asthmatic). Airway obstruction was present in 12.4% of investigated subjects according to LLN criteria and 20.3% according to GOLD criteria. Through multinomial logistic regression analysis, age, smoking habits and asthma were significant risk factors for airway obstruction. Relative risk ratio and 95% confidence interval for LLN stage I, for example, was 2.9 (2.0-4.1) for the youngest age (≤ 19 yrs), 1.9 (1.2-3.0) for the oldest age (≥ 80 yrs), 2.4 (2.0-2.9) for current smokers and 2.8 (2.2-3.6) for reported asthma diagnosis. In addition to being a useful advocacy tool, the spirometry tent represents an unusual occasion for early detection of airway obstruction in large numbers of city residents with an important public health perspective.

The COPD control panel: towards personalised medicine in COPD

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease whose assessment and management have traditionally been based on the severity of airflow limitation (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)). Yet, it is now clear that FEV1 alone cannot describe the complexity of the disease. In fact, the recently released Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), 2011 revision has proposed a new combined assessment method using three variables (symptoms, airflow limitation and exacerbations). Methods Here, we go one step further and propose that in the near future physicians will need a"control panel" for the assessment and optimal management of individual patients with complex diseases, including COPD, that provides a path towards personalised medicine. Results We propose that such a"COPD control panel" should include at least three different domains of the disease: severity, activity and impact. Each of these domains presents information on different"elements" of the disease with potential prognostic value and/or with specific therapeutic requirements. All this information can be easily incorporated into an"app" for daily use in clinical practice. Conclusion We recognise that this preliminary proposal needs debate, validation and evolution (eg, including"omics" and molecular imaging information in the future), but we hope that it may stimulate debate and research in the field.

Gastroesophageal reflux episodes in asthmatic patients and their temporal relation with sleep architecture

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is common in asthma patients and can contribute to sleep disruption. The aim of the present study was to determine the time-related distribution of GER events together with their impact on sleep in asthmatic subjects with GER disease symptoms. The inclusion criteria were: 18-65 years, controlled moderate to severe asthma and GER-compatible clinical evidence. The exclusion criteria were: chronic obstructive lung disease, smoking, infections of the upper airways, use of oral corticosteroids, other co-morbidities, pregnancy, sleep-related disorders, night-time shift work, and the use of substances with impact on sleep. Asthmatic patients with nocturnal symptoms were excluded. All-night polysomnography and esophageal pH monitoring were recorded simultaneously. Of the 147 subjects selected, 31 patients and 31 controls were included. Seventeen patients were classified as DeMeester positive and 14 as DeMeester negative. Both groups displayed similar outcomes when general variables were considered. Sleep stage modification one minute prior to GER was observed in the DeMeester-positive group. Awakening was the most frequent occurrence at GER onset and during the 1-min period preceding 38% of the nocturnal GER. Sleep stage 2 was also prevalent and preceded 36% of GER events. In the DeMeester-negative group, awakening was the most frequent response before and during GER. Modifications in sleep stages, arousals or awakenings were associated with 75% of the total GER events analyzed during the period of one minute before and after the fall of esophageal pH below 4 in the DeMeester-positive group. These data provide evidence that sleep modifications precede the GER events in asthmatic patients.

Adeno-associated virus for cystic fibrosis gene therapy

Gene therapy is an alternative treatment for genetic lung disease, especially monogenic disorders such as cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a severe autosomal recessive disease affecting one in 2500 live births in the white population, caused by mutation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). The disease is classically characterized by pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, an increased concentration of chloride in sweat, and varying severity of chronic obstructive lung disease. Currently, the greatest challenge for gene therapy is finding an ideal vector to deliver the transgene (CFTR) to the affected organ (lung). Adeno-associated virus is the most promising viral vector system for the treatment of respiratory disease because it has natural tropism for airway epithelial cells and does not cause any human disease. This review focuses on the basic properties of adeno-associated virus and its use as a vector for cystic fibrosis gene therapy.

Comparación entre los pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de EPOC vs los confirmados por Espirometría en un hospital de segundo nivel en Bogotá DC, 2011

Introducción: La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC), está caracterizada por la limitación del flujo aéreo, de forma progresiva y casi irreversible, asociada a la reacción inflamatoria atribuida a diferentes factores, principalmente a la exposición al humo de tabaco. Es considerada un problema de salud pública en Colombia y en el mundo, con un aumento acelerado de la condición crónica en la actualidad. Objetivo: Identificar las diferencias sociodemográficas, clínicas y de tratamiento, entre los pacientes con diagnóstico clínico y espirométricos de EPOC vs los pacientes con diagnóstico clínico y descartados por espirometría en el Hospital de Suba. Material y Métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo como un componente exploratorio para comparar los grupos con diagnóstico de EPOC clínico y confirmado o descartado por espirometría, entre Enero y Agosto del 2011. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva para calcular las medidas de tendencia central, los datos cuantitativos se expresaron como la media de la variable ± desviación estándar, y los cualitativos como porcentaje, la t de Student para analizar diferencia de las variables cuantitativas de medias entre grupos y la prueba de Pearson para analizar la relación entre los datos cualitativos para aquellos con valores esperados menores a 5 se aplicó test exacto de Fisher, tuvimos en cuenta un α de 0.05 para el análisis bivariado y medidas de asociación. Todos los análisis se realizaron con el paquete estadístico SPSS 19,0 Versión corporativa. Resultados: De los 398 pacientes, solo 287 cumplían con criterios de inclusión. El promedio de edad del total de los pacientes fue de 70,29 + 11,18 años, y 59,5% de la población fue de sexo femenino. Del total de pacientes evaluados, 171 pacientes (59.6%) se descartó el diagnóstico de EPOC (VEF1/ VEC > 0,70). Al comparar los grupos de pacientes a los que se les confirmo el diagnóstico de EPOC contras los descartados por espirometría se encontró que no hay diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre la edad; en los pacientes con EPOC predomino el sexo femenino (p 0.02); en los factores de riesgo existe clara asociación entre EPOC y la exposición a humo de leña (p <0.001), y en cuanto al tabaquismo solo se encontró asociación con ex fumador (p 0,011). Para analizar las diferencias en el tratamiento se estratifico por las posible combinaciones de inhaladores con o sin teofilina, encontrando una diferencia estadísticamente significativa para los tratamientos de tres inhaladores (p 0,015), dos inhaladores + teofilina (p 0,05), tres inhaladores + teofilina (p <0.001), y en los pacientes no tratados (p <0,001).

Diferencias microbiológicas en pacientes con exacerbación severa de EPOC con o sin consolidación neumónica

La EPOC es una causa importante de morbilidad y mortalidad en el mundo y su prevalencia en Bogotá alcanza hasta 8,5%. Las exacerbaciones están asociadas a deterioro funcional y de la calidad de vida por lo que se consideran un factor cardinal de la enfermedad. En la literatura se ha descrito que las infecciones por bacterias y/o virus son las responsables del 78% de las exacerbaciones. Estos datos han sido descritos en poblaciones diferentes y no hay datos en la literatura que muestren cual es la epidemiología local de las exacerbaciones de EPOC y menos aún de aquellas que se asocian a consolidaciones neumónicas. Objetivo: Comparar la microbiología de las exacerbaciones severas de la EPOC que requieren ingreso a UCI con y sin infiltrados alveolares. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de corte transversal en el que se estudiaron pacientes con EPOC que ingresaron a la UCI Médica de la FCI-IC por exacerbación severa, asociada o no a infiltrados alveolares. Se tomaron muestras de microbiología, serológicas y radiografía de tórax para evaluar la etiología de la exacerbación, si se asocia a coinfección viral y a consolidación neumónica o no. Resultados: No se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en la microbiología de los diferentes grupos evaluados. Se encontró un resistencia global del 24% y llama la atención que hay una alta prevalencia de Serratia Marcescens AMPc entre los 2 grupos, germen que no está descrito como patógeno común en la literatura. Se encontraron diferencias en cuanto a factores de riesgo para presentar neumonía asociada como lo son un mayor índice de paquetes/año (55.1.6 vs. 36.3 paq/año, sig.=0.021). Así mismo se demostró que los pacientes con neumonía asociada presentan mayor necesidad de IOT (48.9 vs. 23.9, sig.=0.013). No hay diferencia significativa en desenlaces como mortalidad (20.5 vs. 13.0, sig.=0.346). Conclusiones: A pesar de no haber diferencia microbiológica entre los 2 grupos se encontraron variables como factores de riesgo y variables clínicas que pueden ayudar a proponer planes de manejo en los dos escenarios. El hecho de encontrar un paciente con neumonía asociada al cuadro de exacerbación no debe afectar en la toma de decisiones en relación al tratamiento antibiótico.

¿Cómo vivir bien con EPOC? Beneficios y guía práctica para hacer ejercicio

La EPOC (Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica) es una enfermedad crónica progresiva causada por la inhalación de partículas nocivas presentes principalmente en el humo del cigarrillo y en el humo de la leña, los cuales ocasionan un daño irreversible en el funcionamiento del aparato respiratorio y generan muchas consecuencias a nivel físico, mental y social en la persona que la padece, síntomas como la disnea o dificultad para respirar y la fatiga, afectan la capacidad funcional del individuo progresivamente y en ocasiones llegan a comprometer la realización de las actividades de la vida diaria, como bañarse, alimentarse y pueden limitar al individuo para desempeñarse dentro de su círculo familiar y social; esto puede conducir a la persona con EPOC a una discapacidad inminente con dependencia y aislamiento. Por fortuna, el conocimiento de la enfermedad, que avanza cada día, ha permitido conocer aspectos del tratamiento que pueden llevar a que los individuos con esta patología tengan alivio y control de sus síntomas y puedan vivir activamente y con la mejor calidad de vida posible.

Doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an extremely common disorder that all primary care physicians should be able to manage. In this review we will define the entities incorporated in COPD and will present various aspects of the diagnoses and treatment. We could not cover every aspect of this broad topic even providing a detailed review of those areas but some facets of therapy like smoking cessation, drug therapy, oxygen therapy, nutrition, and respiratory rehabilitation will be described.

O uso das pregas cutâneas e da circunferência muscular do braço no diagnóstico de desnutrição energético-protéica em pacientes adultos: estudo crítico.

The use of anthropometric measurements of triceps (TSF) and subscapular skinfolds (SSF) and mid-upper arm muscle circumference (MAMC) was examined as far as the diagnosis of energy-protein malnutrition (EPM) is concerned. The study was undertaken in five groups of patients (n = 231): arterial hypertension (AH, n = 63), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, n = 17), hemodialyzed chronic renal failure (CRF, n = 19), critically ill patients with an acute event (CA, n = 42) and critically ill patients with chronic diseases (CCD, n = 90). The results were compared to those obtained in a group of healthy individuals (control group, n = 102). The control group and the group of patients were allocated in subgroups according to sex and age (less than 50 and more than 50 years). It was expected that significant differences would be found for the anthropometric values between the control subgroups and the COPD, the CRF and the CCD subgroups of patients. For the skinfold thicknesses (TSF and SSF), significant differences were found between CRF, CCD subgroups and the control subgroups under fifty years of age; however, the differences were not significant when the subgroups over fifty were analyzed. Concerning the MAMC, significant differences were found: 1 degree) between the CRF subgroups (males and females) and the control subgroups under fifty years of age; 2 degrees) between the CCD male subgroups (younger and older subgroups) and the respective control subgroups and 3 degrees) between the COPD and the control subgroups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica

In this review the definition of COPD is presented and the epidemiology and risk factors for disease development are briefly discussed. Characteristics clinical features, pulmonary functions indices, radiologics signs and arterial blood gases alterations are presented and discussed. Classification of disease severity and components of COPD management are also described.

Perfil demográfico e de morbidade da população idosa atendida nas dependências do pronto-socorro, ambulatórios e enfermarias no HC-Unesp em 1997

Being our objective to characterize demographic and morbidity patterns of the 60 years old or more attended at the UNESP Clinic Hospital in 1997 a sample consisting of 482 handbooks has been analyzed in order to evaluate ambulatory attendance, other consisting of 101 handbooks to evaluate first aid clinic demand and statistics from Medical Informatic Center (Centro de Informática da Medicina - CIMED) refering to 2652 internments of such populations this year. Ten and a half per cent from the total of first aid clinic attended patients refers to this old people and the majority (57,4%) lives in Botucatu County. More frequently diagnoses during consultation are Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (10.1%), Congestive Cardiac Disease (4.7%), Asthma and Cataract (3.1 % for both). Such population is also referred to be 19.8% from the number of all patients attended at the UNESP ambulatories, 65.8% coming from other city in São Paulo State, being in average 69.6 years old and attending 4.5 consultations in average by year. More frequently found diagnoses referred to Essential Primary Hypertension (4.2%), Prostatic Nodular Hyperplasia (4.0%) and Nonspecified Cataract (3.3%). Regarding to internments, they referred to be 18.4% from the number of all interned patients. More frequent diagnoses at internmemt referred to Nonspecified Cataract (12%), Glaucoma (3.0%), Prostatic Nodular Hyperplasia (2.4%) and Limbs Arteriosclerosis (2.3%). Results indicates the existence of an tertiary hospital divided into specialties, also attending morbidity that should be in control into levels of primary and secondary attention.

Uso do óxido nítrico em pediatria

Objective: To review the literature on inhaled nitric oxide and to describe its main clinical applications in pediatrics. Sources of data: A 10 year literature review with selection of the most important publications on inhaled nitric oxide, using the Medline and Cochrane Systematic Review databases. Summary of the findings: This review was organized as follows: introduction; metabolism and biological effects; clinical applications; dosage, gas administration and weaning; precautions and side-effects. Inhaled nitric oxide use was described in persistent pulmonary hypertension and hypoxia of the newborn, acute respiratory distress syndrome, primary pulmonary hypertension, heart surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sickle cell anemia, and bronchospastic disease. Conclusions: Inhaled nitric oxide is a therapeutic approach with wide clinical applications in pediatrics. Its use is safe when administered in pediatric intensive care units under strict monitoring. As a pulmonary vasodilator, nitric oxide has beneficial effects on gas exchange and ventilation. Controlled trials, focusing on early gas administration should be performed under many clinical conditions, especially acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica

The chronic obstructive lung disease is reviewed with emphasys on its epidemiology and risk factors. The diagnosis, clinical aspects pulmonary, functional alterations and laboratorial findings are discussed. The treatment is also reviewed, based on the actual consensus, considering the following classes of approaches: bronchodilators, inhaled β-agonists, corticoids, methilxanthines, prolonged domiciliar-orygen therapy.