A combination of eczema and rhinitis in childhood is associated with a significantly increased risk for new-onset atopic asthma in middle age and persistence of childhood asthma to adult atopic asthma, research shows.
In this report we discuss two cases of patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Both patients were evaluated and were recommended therapy according to current acceptable guidelines. Despite these recommendations, each patient sought on their own accord, additional therapy in the form of stem cell therapy. They subsequently received an infusion of stem cells into their pulmonary circulation.
Objective and subjective measures were followed prior to and following infusion. After a review of each case we briefly discuss the decisions a physician must face when a patient seeks therapies not proven safe or effective by a governing authority.
This review aims to compare continuous with on-demand pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis by focusing on pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, safety, effectiveness, cost and cost-effectiveness considerations. A working party of experts reviewed and discussed the literature and guidelines, and conducted a qualitative analysis of the Summary of Product Characteristics of specific medicines.
With respect to medicines, the working party limited itself to antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids and leukotriene antagonists. Based on a review of the evidence from a multidisciplinary perspective, this article makes pharmacotherapeutic recommendations that are easy, functional and applicable to daily practice in primary care.The pharmacotherapeutic evidence for continuous versus on-demand tre...
Parapneumonic effusions or empyemas are frequently seen in patients with lower respiratory tract infections. The condition is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Since Gram stains and bacterial cultures are usually negative, treatment focuses on empiric antibiotic treatment and chest tube drainage. The role of intrapleural fibrinolytics is still a matter of debate.
Medical thoracoscopy is a simple and effective therapeutic alternative associated with better outcome and fewer complications than conservative treatment. Furthermore, it can be performed in analgo-sedation in a bronchoscopy suite. Video-assisted thoracic surgery carries the advantage of providing optimal visibility of the pleural cavity, thus allowing better debridement.
Thoracotomy is the treatment of choice when thoracoscopic cleaning is not satisfactory.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are thought to have limited bronchodilator response, determined by changes in forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1). In this study, we assessed bronchodilator response in patients with COPD using not only FEV1 but also changes in lung volume expressed as forced vital capacity (FVC) and inspiratory capacity (IC). We also evaluated the speed of onset of bronchodilation.
Methods: Data were from 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (6-months [NCT00206154]; 12-months [NCT00206167]) in patients with moderate to very severe COPD.
Treatments: twice daily budesonide/formoterol pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) 320/9μg, budesonide/formoterol pMDI 160/9μg, formoterol dry powder inhaler (DPI) 9μg,...