Diagnostic accuracy of chest X-ray and ultrasonography in detection of community acquired pneumonia; a brief report

Chest X-ray [CXR] is the simplest diagnostic tool of Community Acquired Pneumonia [CAP], but it has some limitation. Therefore, the aim of this study is comparing the diagnostic accuracy of CXR and chest ultra-sonography [CUS] in detection of CAP. In the present study, a consecutive sample of suspected patients with CAP was underwent CUS, CXR, and chest computed tomography [CT] scan. Diagnostic accuracy of CUS and CXR was assessed by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios using SPSS 20 statistical software. 30 patients with CAP were enrolled [93.3% male with mean age of 63.8 +/- 18.3 years]. Sensitivity of CUS and CXR in detection of CAP were 100.0% [95% Cl: 85.4-100.0] and 93.1% [95% Cl: 75.8-98.8], respectively. Specificity of CXR was 0.0 [95% Cl: 0.0-94.5], while the CUS specificity was not calculable. Findings of the present study demonstrated on the higher diagnostic accuracy of CUS versus CXR in detection of pneumonia

[Effects of rehabilitation on pulmonary function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft: a clinical trial study]

Background and Objectives: Prevention of pulmonary complications after coronary artery bypass graft is an important fact. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of pulmonary rehabilitation prior to the surgery for reducing the risk of pulmonary complications after surgery

Materials and Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 60 patients undergoing heart surgery randomly were divided into two groups [Group A and B]. In group A Patients was performed physiotherapy before and after chest physiotherapy surgery, but on patients in group B were done only chest physiotherapy after surgery. Effects of preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation were compared between two groups, using Spirometry, arterial blood gas [ABG], Visual Analog Scale [VAS] and 6 Minutes Walking Test [6MWT]

Results: Thirty Nine males [65%] and 21 females [35%] patients with a mean age of 56.9 +/- 10.8 was been analyzed. Pneumonia after surgery was observed lower in the group A in compared with group B [0% VS. 40%]. The mean difference in PCO2 and HCO3 indices [of ABG parameters], mean oxygen saturation [Spo2] [of 6MWT parameters] and VAS index were significantly different in the A and B groups [respectively; P =.008 and P =.001, P<.0001 and P <.0001]

Conclusion: The pulmonary rehabilitation program before surgery is recommended to reduce complications of heart surgery