When is LABA/LAMA Better than LAMA in GOLD Group B or D Patients for Reducing Acute Exacerbations of COPD? / 전남의대학술지

Long-acting  2 -agonist (LABA)/long-acting muscarinic-antagonist (LAMA) dual therapy has been found to be more effective than LAMA monotherapy in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, among patients with group B or D COPD, the characteristics of patients for whom LABA/LAMA dual therapy is superior to LAMA monotherapy in minimizing acute exacerbations remain unknown.With data from a prospective COPD cohort, subgroup analyses were conducted to determine whether LABA/LAMA dual therapy was superior to LAMA monotherapy in reducing the rate of acute exacerbations in group B and D COPD patients. Group B and D COPD patients taking LAMA or LABA/LAMA were enrolled according to the 2022 Global initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease guidelines. A total of 737 patients were included in this study: 600 with group B COPD and 137 with group D COPD. Compared with patients taking LAMA monotherapy, those taking LABA/ LAMA had a significantly lower incidence of acute exacerbations over 1 year. In the subgroup of patients ≥70 years old, there was a significantly lower risk of severe COPD exacerbations among group B patients taking LABA/LAMA than among those taking LAMA monotherapy (odds ratio [OR], 0.258; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.095– 0.703). In contrast, in the subgroup of group D patients with COPD Assessment Test scores ≥25, compared with LAMA monotherapy, LABA/LAMA treatment was associated with lower risk of severe COPD exacerbations (OR, 0.115; 95% CI, 0.018-0.749).The combination of LABA and LAMA was found to be superior to LAMA monotherapy, especially for treating older adults with group B COPD, as well as for group D patients with severe symptoms.

Korean physician prescription patterns for home oxygen therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Background/Aims@#Hypoxemia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) leads to reduced ability to exercise, decreased quality of life, and, eventually, increased mortality. Home oxygen therapy in patients with severe COPD reduces distress symptoms and mortality rates. However, there have been few studies on physicians’ prescription behavior toward home oxygen therapy. Therefore, we investigated the respiratory specialists’ perspective on home oxygen therapy. @*Methods@#In this cross-sectional, study, a questionnaire was completed by 30 pulmonary specialists who worked in tertiary hospitals and prescribed home oxygen therapy. The questionnaire consisted of 28 items, including 15 items on oxygen prescription for outpatients, four for inpatients, and nine on service improvement. @*Results@#All physicians were prescribing less than 2 L/min of oxygen for either 24 (n = 10, 33.3%) or 15 hours (n = 9, 30.3%). All (n = 30) used pulse oximetry, 26 (86.7%) analyzed arterial blood gas. Thirteen physicians had imposed restrictions and recommended oxygen use only during exercise or sleep. Sixteen (53.3%) physicians were educating their patients about home oxygen therapy. Furthermore, physicians prescribed home oxygen to patients that did not fit the typical criteria for longterm oxygen therapy, with 30 prescribing it for acute relief and 17 for patients with borderline hypoxemia. @*Conclusions@#This study identified the prescription pattern of home oxygen therapy in Korea. Respiratory physicians prescribe home oxygen therapy to hypoxemic COPD patients for at least 15 hours/day, and at a rate of less than 2 L/min. More research is needed to provide evidence for establishing policies on oxygen therapy in COPD patients.

Cut-off value of FEV1/FEV6 to determine airflow limitation using handheld spirometry in subjects with risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background/Aims@#Postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) less than 0.7 using spirometry is the golden standard to diagnose airf low limitation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recently, measuring FEV6 has been suggested as an alternative to measure FVC. Studies about the cut-off value for FEV1/FEV6 to diagnose airflow limitation have shown variable results, with values between 0.7 and 0.8. The purpose of this study was to determine the best cut-off value of FEV1/FEV6 to detect airflow limitation using handheld spirometry. @*Methods@#We recruited subjects over 40 years of age with smoking history over 10 pack-years. Participants underwent measurements with both handheld spirometry and conventional spirometry. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the value of FEV1/FEV6 using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to obtain the diagnostic accuracy of handheld spirometry to detect airflow limitation. @*Results@#A total of 290 subjects were enrolled. Their mean age and smoking amount were 63.1 years and 31.6 pack-years, respectively. According to our ROC curve analysis, when FEV1/FEV6 ratio was 73%, sensitivity and specificity were the maximum and the area under the ROC curve was 0.93, showing an excellent diagnostic accuracy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 86.7%, 89.7%, 88.0%, and 88.5%, respectively. Participants with FEV1/FEV6 ≤ 73% had lower FEV1 predicted value compared to those with FEV1/FEV6 > 73% (65.4% vs. 86.5%, p < 0.001). @*Conclusions@#In summary, we demonstrate that the value of 73% in FEV1/FEV6 using handheld spirometry has the best sensitivity and specificity to detect airflow limitation in subjects with risk of COPD.

Cut-off value of FEV1/FEV6 to determine airflow limitation using handheld spirometry in subjects with risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background/Aims@#Postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) less than 0.7 using spirometry is the golden standard to diagnose airf low limitation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recently, measuring FEV6 has been suggested as an alternative to measure FVC. Studies about the cut-off value for FEV1/FEV6 to diagnose airflow limitation have shown variable results, with values between 0.7 and 0.8. The purpose of this study was to determine the best cut-off value of FEV1/FEV6 to detect airflow limitation using handheld spirometry. @*Methods@#We recruited subjects over 40 years of age with smoking history over 10 pack-years. Participants underwent measurements with both handheld spirometry and conventional spirometry. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the value of FEV1/FEV6 using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to obtain the diagnostic accuracy of handheld spirometry to detect airflow limitation. @*Results@#A total of 290 subjects were enrolled. Their mean age and smoking amount were 63.1 years and 31.6 pack-years, respectively. According to our ROC curve analysis, when FEV1/FEV6 ratio was 73%, sensitivity and specificity were the maximum and the area under the ROC curve was 0.93, showing an excellent diagnostic accuracy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 86.7%, 89.7%, 88.0%, and 88.5%, respectively. Participants with FEV1/FEV6 ≤ 73% had lower FEV1 predicted value compared to those with FEV1/FEV6 > 73% (65.4% vs. 86.5%, p < 0.001). @*Conclusions@#In summary, we demonstrate that the value of 73% in FEV1/FEV6 using handheld spirometry has the best sensitivity and specificity to detect airflow limitation in subjects with risk of COPD.

Oral allergy syndrome

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is an IgE-mediated allergy caused by cross-reacting antigenic determinants in pollens and various fruits, vegetables, and nuts which are known as the most common food allergy in adults. Cross-reactive antigenic proteins include pathogenesis-related-10 protein, profilin, cross-reactive carbohydrate determinant and lipid transfer protein. The prevalence of OAS has been reported at up to 70% of birch pollen allergy. A nationwide multicenter study in our country has recently reported that the prevalence of OAS in Korea is 41.7% of pollen allergy. Typical symptoms of OAS are tingling, itching sense and edema of lips, mouth, and throat immediately after ingestion of raw fruits, vegetables, or nuts. These can progress to systemic symptoms including anaphylaxis. The diagnosis can be made by typical clinical history in patients with pollen allergy. Skin prick test using fresh fruits extracts can be helpful in confirming sensitization to foods, which has better sensitivity than commercial skin prick test or serum specific IgE test. Treatment of OAS is to avoid causative foods. Self-injectable epinephrine should be considered in the case of anaphylaxis. Allergen-specific immunotherapy to pollens has also been tried.

Identification of 10 Candidate Biomarkers Distinguishing Tuberculous and Malignant Pleural Fluid by Proteomic Methods

PURPOSE: Pleural effusion, an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, usually occurs in patients when the rate of fluid formation exceeds the rate of fluid removal. The differential diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy and malignant pleural effusion is a difficult task in high tuberculous prevalence areas. The aim of the present study was to identify novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of pleural fluid using proteomics technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used samples from five patients with transudative pleural effusions for internal standard, five patients with tuberculous pleurisy, and the same numbers of patients having malignant effusions were enrolled in the study. We analyzed the proteins in pleural fluid from patients using a technique that combined two-dimensional liquid-phase electrophoresis and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: We identified a total of 10 proteins with statistical significance. Among 10 proteins, trasthyretin, haptoglobin, metastasis-associated protein 1, t-complex protein 1, and fibroblast growth factor-binding protein 1 were related with malignant pleural effusions and human ceruloplasmin, lysozyme precursor, gelsolin, clusterin C complement lysis inhibitor, and peroxirexdoxin 3 were expressed several times or more in tuberculous pleural effusions. CONCLUSION: Highly expressed proteins in malignant pleural effusion were associated with carcinogenesis and cell growth, and proteins associated with tuberculous pleural effusion played a role in the response to inflammation and fibrosis. These findings will aid in the development of novel diagnostic tools for tuberculous pleurisy and malignant pleural effusion of lung cancer.

Emergency Department Visits for Asthma Exacerbation due to Weather Conditions and Air Pollution in Chuncheon, Korea: A Case-Crossover Analysis

PURPOSE: This retrospective study was conducted to estimate the effects of climate factors and air pollution on asthma exacerbations using a case-crossover analysis. METHODS: Patients who visited the emergency department (ED) of 2 university hospitals in Chuncheon for asthma exacerbations from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2011, were enrolled. Daily average data for meteorological factors (temperature, daily temperature range, relative humidity, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, presence of rain, solar irradiation, and presence of fog) and the daily average levels of gaseous air pollutants (SO2, NO2, O3, CO, and PM10) were obtained. A case-crossover analysis was performed using variables about the weather and air pollution at 1-week intervals between cases and controls before and after ED visits. RESULTS: There were 660 ED visits by 583 patients with asthma exacerbations. Low relative humidity (lag 1 and 2) and high wind speed (lag 1, 2, and 3) were associated with ED visits for asthma. Fog (lag 2) showed protective effects against asthma exacerbations in Chuncheon (risk increase: -29.4% [95% CI=-46.3% to -7.2%], P=0.013). These relationships were stronger in patients ≤19 years old than in those >60 years old. High levels of ambient CO (lag 1, 2, and 3) and NO2 (lag 2 and 3) were associated with decreased ED visits for asthma. However, there were no significant relationships among levels of ambient CO or NO2 and asthma exacerbations after adjusting for wind speed and relative humidity. CONCLUSIONS: High wind speed and low humidity were associated with an increased risk of asthma ED visits. Fog was associated with a decreased risk of asthma ED visits after controlling for seasonal variations in weather and air pollution.

One-year Prognosis and the Role of Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Patients with Chronic Cor Pulmonale

Data on the clinical outcomes and role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with chronic cor pulmonale are limited. A total of 69 patients with chronic cor pulmonale, admitted for dyspnea (January 2007 to September 2011) to three university hospitals, were retrospectively reviewed. All of the patients had right ventricular (RV) dysfunction on echocardiography. The median age was 70.0 yr, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (40.6%) and tuberculosis-destroyed lung (TDL, 27.5%) were the leading causes of chronic cor pulmonale. At the 1-yr follow-up, the mortality rate was 15.9%, and the readmission rate was 53.7%; patients with TDL had higher mortality (31.6% vs. 10.0%; P = 0.059) and readmission rates (78.9% vs. 43.8%; P = 0.009) than those with non-TDL diseases. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for admission BNP levels to predict readmission was 0.788 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.673-0.904), and the sensitivity and specificity of the cut-off value were 80.6% and 77.4%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, high admission BNP levels were a significant risk factor for subsequent readmission (hazard ratio, 1.049; 95% CI, 1.005-1.094). Additionally, admission BNP levels were well correlated with cardiac troponin I (r = 0.558), and delta BNP also correlated with delta RV systolic pressure (n = 25; r = 0.562). In conclusion, among hospitalized patients with chronic cor pulmonale, admission high BNP levels are a significant risk factor for subsequent readmission. Therefore, more intensive monitoring and treatment are needed in patients with higher BNP levels.

Efficacy of Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Severe Acute Respiratory Failure

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate our institutional experience with veno-venous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with severe acute respiratory failure (ARF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2007 to August 2013, 31 patients with severe ARF that was due to various causes and refractory to mechanical ventilation with conventional therapy were supported with VV ECMO. A partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2)/inspired fraction of oxygen (FiO2) <100 mm Hg at an FiO2 of 1.0 or a pH <7.25 due to CO2 retention were set as criteria for VV ECMO. RESULTS: Overall, 68% of patients survived among those who had received VV ECMO with a mean PaO2/FiO2 of 56.8 mm Hg. Furthermore, in trauma patients, early use of ECMO had the best outcome with a 94% survival rate. CONCLUSION: VV ECMO is an excellent, life-saving treatment option in patients suffering from acute and life-threatening respiratory failure due to various causes, especially trauma, and early use of VV ECMO therapy improved outcomes in these patients.

Mechanical ventilation-associated pneumothorax presenting with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in patients with acute respiratory failure / 영남의대학술지

The prevalence of pneumothorax cases among Intensive Care Unit patients who require mechanical ventilation ranges from 4%-15%. A pneumothorax remains one of the most serious complications of positive pressure ventilation. It can be diagnosed in a critically ill patient through a physical examination or radiographic studies that include chest radiographs, ultrasonography, or computed tomography scanning. However, in a critically ill patient, the diagnosis of a pneumothorax is often complicated by other diseases and by difficulties in imaging sick and unconscious patients. Although electrocardiogram changes associated with a pneumothorax have been described for many years, there has been no report of such among patients who require mechanical ventilation. In this paper, we report 2 cases of a spontaneous pneumothorax with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation due to acute respiratory failure.

Interferon-gamma Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay in Patients with Tuberculosis and Healthy Adults / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Interferon-gamma assays based on tuberculosis (TB)-specific antigens have been utilized for diagnosing and ruling out latent TB and active TB, but their utility is still limited for TB incidence countries. The aim of this study is to understand the clinical utility of enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assays among patients with clinically suspected TB and healthy adults in clinical practices and community-based settings. METHODS: The ELISpot assays (T SPOT.TB, Oxford Immunotec, UK) were prospectively performed in 202 patients. After excluding those with indeterminate results, 196 were included for analysis: 41 were TB patients, 93 were non-TB patients, and 62 were healthy adults. RESULTS: The sensitivity and negative predictive values of the T SPOT.TB assays for the diagnosis of TB were 87.8% and 89.1%, respectively, among patients with suspected TB. The agreement between the tuberculin skin test (10-mm cutoff) and the T SPOT.TB assay was 66.1% (kappa=0.335) in all participants and 80.0% (kappa=0.412) in TB patients. Among those without TB (n=155), a past history of TB and fibrotic TB scar on chest X-rays were significant factors that yielded positive T SPOT.TB results. There was a significant difference in the magnitude of T SPOT.TB spot counts between TB patients and non-TB patients or healthy adults. CONCLUSION: The T SPOT.TB assay appeared to be a useful test for the diagnostic exclusion of TB. A positive result, however, should be cautiously interpreted for potential positives among those without active TB in intermediate TB incidence areas.

Application of a New Spirometric Reference Equation and Its Impact on the Staging of Korean Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

PURPOSE: A new spirometric reference equation was recently developed from the first national chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) survey in Korea. However, Morris' equation has been preferred for evaluating spirometric values instead. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in severity staging in Korean COPD patients by adopting the newly developed Korean equation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the spirometric data of 441 COPD patients. The presence of airflow limitation was defined as an observed post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) less than 0.7, and the severity of airflow limitation was assessed according to GOLD stages. Spirometric values were reassessed using the new Korean equation, Morris' equation and other reference equations. RESULTS: The severity of airflow limitation was differently graded in 143 (32.4%) patients after application of the new Korean equation when compared with Morris' equation. All 143 patients were reallocated into more severe stages (49 at mild stage, 65 at moderate stage, and 29 at severe stage were changed to moderate, severe and very severe stages, respectively). Stages according to other reference equations were changed in 18.6-49.4% of the patients. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that equations from different ethnic groups do not sufficiently reflect the airflow limitation of Korean COPD patients. The Korean reference equation should be used for Korean COPD patients in order to administer proper treatment.

Minor Criteria of Infectious Disease Society of America/American Thoracic Society for Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia Can Predict Delayed Treatment Response

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical aspects of patients satisfying the Infectious Disease Society of America/American Thoracic Society (IDSA/ATS) minor severity criteria, focusing on their treatment response to empirical antibiotics. In total, 381 community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients who did not require mechanical ventilation or vasopressors at admission were enrolled, and 50 (13.1%) satisfied the minor severity criteria (i.e. , minor severe CAP [minor-SCAP]). The rates of new complication events and clinical treatment failure were significantly higher in the minor-SCAP group than in the control group (30.0% vs 2.1%, P or = 3) were significantly associated with treatment failure (odds ratio, 2.838; 95% confidence interval, 1.216 to 6.626), and for predicting treatment failure the value of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for minor criteria was 0.731, similar to other established scoring methods. The IDSA/ATS minor severity criteria can predict delayed treatment response and clinical treatment failure.

Bronchoscopic Ethanolamine Injection Therapy in Patients with Persistent Air Leak from Chest Tube Drainage / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Chest tube drainage (CTD) is an indication for the treatment of pneumothorax, hemothroax and is used after a thoracic surgery. But, in the case of incomplete lung expansion, and/or persistent air leak from CTD, medical or surgical thoracoscopy or, if that is unavailable, limited thoracotomy, should be considered. We evaluate the efficacy of bronchoscopic injection of ethanolamine to control the persistent air leak in patients with CTD. METHODS: Patients who had persistent or prolonged air leak from CTD were included, consecutively. We directly injected 1.0 mL solution of 5% ethanolamine oleate into a subsegmental or its distal bronchus, where it is a probable air leakage site, 1 to 21 times using an injection needle through a fiberoptic bronchoscope. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients were enrolled; 14 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax [idiopathic 9, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 3, post-tuberculosis 2] and one case of empyema associated with broncho-pleural fistula. Of these, five were patients with persistent air leak from CTD, just after a surgical therapy, wedge resection with plication for blebs or bullae. With an ethanolamine injection therapy, 12 were successful but three (idiopathic, COPD and post-tuberculosis) failed, and were followed by a surgery (2 cases) or pleurodesis (1 case). Some adverse reactions, such as fever, chest pain and increased radiographic opacities occurred transiently, but resolved without any further events. With success, the time from the procedure to discharge was about 3 days (median). CONCLUSION: Bronchoscopic ethanolamine injection therapy may be partially useful in controlling air leakage, and reducing the hospital stay in patients with persistent air leak from CTD.

Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation of Acute Respiratory Failure due to Near-drowning: 2 case reports / 대한흉부외과학회지

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during acute respiratory failure due to any cause aids in the recovery of respiratory function. The use of ECMO for acute respiratory failure due to near drowning was reported to be a successful therapeutic option in those patients who do not respond to optimal conventional therapies. We performed veno-venous ECMO for 2 acute respiratory failures due to near-drownings. All cannulations were performed percutaneously via both femoral veins. The 2 patients were successfully weaned off ECMO, but one patient experienced diffuse hypoxic brain damage and a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Current Insights into Sepsis Treatments / 대한구급학회지

Sepsis is a common illness of intensive care unit patients that carries high morbidity and mortality, and increases hospital costs. Although mortality from sepsis remains high when compared with other critical illnesses, it has declined over the last few decades due to several adjunctive therapies and focused care programs or guidelines. In 2004, an international guideline was published that the bedside clinician could use to improve the outcomes in severe cases of sepsis and septic shock. Several landmark studies recently demonstrated that therapeutic strategies may substantially reduce mortality. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines for Management of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: 2008 was updated using a new evidence-based methodology system for assessing the quality of evidence and the strengths of recommendations. Evidence-based recommendations regarding the acute management of sepsis and septic shock are the first step toward improving the outcomes of critically ill patients. This article discusses the guidelines and current insights into sepsis treatment.

Infection Rate of Chlamydia pneumoniae in Patients with Chronic Cough / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Persistent cough has recently been found to be associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. We aimed to investigate the infection rate of C. pneumonia in adult patients with chronic cough. METHODS: We recruited 68 patients with persistent cough lasting in excess of 3 weeks, who visited Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital from January 2005 to August 2005. On the first visit, chest and paranasal sinuses radiography, skin prick test of common allergens, and induced sputum samples for C. pneumoniae were performed in all of patients. Further evaluation for diagnosis included a methacholine provocation test and eosinophil counts in induced sputum. RESULTS: The most common cause of chronic cough was upper airway cough syndrome (UACS) (26.5%), followed by eosinophilic bronchitis (20.6%) and cough variant asthma (16.2%). Idiopathic chronic cough was the cause in 33.8% of patients. The mean duration of cough was 11.7 months. C. pneumoniae was isolated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from one patient who had upper respiratory air way syndrome. CONCLUSION: Chlamydia pneumoniae appears to have a minor role as a cause of chronic cough in patients.

Burden of COPD among Family Caregivers / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem resulting in significant burden for patients and families. However, family caregivers' burden has not been well recognized. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the level of caregivers' burden and to explore the related factors based on family, patient, and social support factors. METHODS: A face-to-face interview with 86 family caregivers who had been taking care of COPD patients was conducted. The participants answered a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included the level of family caregivers' burden, health status and the relationship within the family, functional limitation of patients perceived by family caregivers and the social support. RESULTS: The level of caregivers' burden among participants was considerably high. Risk factors for caregivers' burden included low educational level of family caregivers, low family income, hours of caregiving, and functional limitation of the patients. Protective factors for caregivers' burden were good relationship within the family and support from other family members or friends. CONCLUSION: It is proved that family caregivers are facing significant burden in taking care of COPD patients. To reduce family caregivers' burden, it is necessary to address socioeconomic status of the family and to provide various community resources including financial support and nursing services.

Acute Respiratory Failure Treated with Veno-venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during severe acute respiratory failure helps to recover the pulmonary function. This study evaluated our experience with veno-venous ECMO in adult patients with acute respiratory failure. METHODS: From January 2007 to July 2009, ECMO was used on 54 patients. Of these 54 patients, 7 were placed on veno-venous ECMO for acute respiratory failure. The indications of ECMO were based on the lung dysfunction measured as a PaO2/FiO2 ratio <100 mm Hg on FiO2 of 1.0, or an arterial blood gas pH <7.25 due to hypercapnia despite the optimal treatment. EBS(R), Bio-pump(R), and Centrifugal Rotaflow pump(R) were used and all cannulations were performed percutaneously via both femoral veins. When the lung function was improved, an attempt was made to wean on ECMO at moderate ventilator settings followed by decannulation. RESULTS: Five of the 7 patients were male and the mean age was 46.3+/-18.3. The causes of acute respiratory failure were 3 cases of pneumonia, 2 near-drownings, 1 pulmonary hemorrhage due to acute hepatic failure and 1 mercury vapor poisoning. The mean support time of ECMO was 17.3+/-13.7 days. Of the 7 patients implanted with ECMO, 5 patients (71%) were weaned off ECMO and 3 patients (43%) survived to hospital discharge after a mean 89.6 hospital days. CONCLUSION: The early use of ECMO for acute respiratory failure in adults due to any cause is a good therapeutic option for those unresponsive to the optimal conventional treatments.

Semi-quantitative Procalcitonin Assay in Critically ill Patients with Respiratory infections / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Serum procalcitonin level has been considered prognostic during sepsis and septic shock. We investigated the significance of procalcitonin in critically ill patients with respiratory infections. METHODS: The patients who had radiographically diagnosed diffuse lung infiltrations were enrolled on a prospective basis. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid for the purpose of quantitative cultures (> or =10(4) cfu/mL) was obtained from all patients. Serum procalcitonin levels determined by PCT-Q kit were measured on BAL day and classified as follows; 10.0 ng/mL. We analyzed the patient's characteristics according to outcome; favorable or unfavorable, defined as death. RESULTS: Patients from the following categories were included: medical 17 (47.2%), surgical 9 (25%), and burned 10 (27.8%). APACHE II scores on admission to intensive care unit were 11.5+/-6.89 and 11 (30.6%) had unfavorable outcomes. A procalcitonin level > or =0.5 ng/mL was in 17 (47.2%) of all. On univariate analysis, the frequencies of burn injury, mechanical ventilation, multiple organ failure, and a procalcitonin level > or =0.5 ng/mL were more often increased in patients with unfavorable outcomes than in those with favorable outcomes (p or =0.5 ng/mL was more sensitive in predicting VAP than unfavorable outcome. CONCLUSION: A higher procalcitonin level seems to be associated with VAP, but further study is required to know that procalcitonin would be a prognostic marker in critically ill patients with respiratory infections.