Factors contributing to exercise limitation in a population with COPD are discussed. Find out about best practice standards for COPD rehab. Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning on Wednesday after three children died from respiratory arrest caused by regular doses of codeine after surgery to treat sleep apnea. (Source: NYT Health)

Abstract  Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration has demonstrated its accuracy in the diagnostic workup of enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. In addition to conventional smears, the use of liquid-based cytology (LBC) and cell block preparations (CBP) has been introduced more recently. The aim of our study was to determine the performance of each of the different techniques, separately and combined, in terms of diagnostic yield and sensitivity. A total of 290 consecutive patients were included. The pathological examination was based on smear cytology, LBC, and CBP. Adequate sampling was defined by the presence of pathological material or lymphocytes. The global diagnostic yield was 82.7 % and the sensitivity was 89.1 %. The diagnostic yield...

Source: Lancet Area: News The findings of this study suggest that azithromycin could be a potential a new option for prevention of exacerbations in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis with a history of at least one exacerbation in the past year.   The randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted at three centres in New Zealand. Study participants were aged 18 years or older, had had at least one pulmonary exacerbation requiring antibiotic treatment in the past year, and had a diagnosis of bronchiectasis defined by CT scan. Participants were randomly allocated (1:1 ratio) to treatment with 500 mg azithromycin (n=71) or matched placebo (n=70) three times a week for 6 months. Three co-primary endpoints were assessed: rate of event-based exacerbations...