Functional improvement in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis undergoing single lung transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes in lung function in the first year after single lung transplantation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated patients with IPF who underwent single lung transplantation between January of 2006 and December of 2012, reviewing the changes in the lung function occurring during the first year after the procedure. RESULTS: Of the 218 patients undergoing lung transplantation during the study period, 79 (36.2%) had IPF. Of those 79 patients, 24 (30%) died, and 11 (14%) did not undergo spirometry at the end of the first year. Of the 44 patients included in the study, 29 (66%) were men. The mean age of the patients was 57 years. Before transplantation, mean FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC ratio were 1.78 L (50% of predicted), 1.48 L (52% of predicted), and 83%, respectively. In the first month after transplantation, there was a mean increase of 12% in FVC (400 mL) and FEV1 (350 mL). In the third month after transplantation, there were additional increases, of 5% (170 mL) in FVC and 1% (50 mL) in FEV1. At the end of the first year, the functional improvement persisted, with a mean gain of 19% (620 mL) in FVC and 16% (430 mL) in FEV1. CONCLUSIONS: Single lung transplantation in IPF patients who survive for at least one year provides significant and progressive benefits in lung function during the first year. This procedure is an important therapeutic alternative in the management of IPF.

Functional improvement in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis undergoing single lung transplantation / Melhora funcional em portadores de fibrose pulmonar idiopática submetidos a transplante pulmonar unilateral

AbstractObjective: To evaluate the changes in lung function in the first year after single lung transplantation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients with IPF who underwent single lung transplantation between January of 2006 and December of 2012, reviewing the changes in the lung function occurring during the first year after the procedure.Results: Of the 218 patients undergoing lung transplantation during the study period, 79 (36.2%) had IPF. Of those 79 patients, 24 (30%) died, and 11 (14%) did not undergo spirometry at the end of the first year. Of the 44 patients included in the study, 29 (66%) were men. The mean age of the patients was 57 years. Before transplantation, mean FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC ratio were 1.78 L (50% of predicted), 1.48 L (52% of predicted), and 83%, respectively. In the first month after transplantation, there was a mean increase of 12% in FVC (400 mL) and FEV1 (350 mL). In the third month after transplantation, there were additional increases, of 5% (170 mL) in FVC and 1% (50 mL) in FEV1. At the end of the first year, the functional improvement persisted, with a mean gain of 19% (620 mL) in FVC and 16% (430 mL) in FEV1.Conclusions: Single lung transplantation in IPF patients who survive for at least one year provides significant and progressive benefits in lung function during the first year. This procedure is an important therapeutic alternative in the management of IPF.

ResumoObjetivo: Avaliar as alterações de função pulmonar no primeiro ano após transplante de pulmão unilateral em pacientes portadores de fibrose pulmonar idiopática (FPI).Métodos: Foi avaliada retrospectivamente a variação da função pulmonar de portadores de FPI submetidos a transplante pulmonar unilateral entre janeiro de 2006 e dezembro de 2012 no decorrer do primeiro ano após o procedimento.Resultados: Dos 218 pacientes submetidos a transplante pulmonar durante o período do estudo, 79 (36,2%) eram portadores de FPI. Desses 79 pacientes, 24 (30%) foram a óbito e 11 (14%) não realizaram espirometria ao final do primeiro ano. Dos 44 pacientes incluídos no estudo, 29 (66%) eram homens. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 57 anos.Antes do transplante, as médias de CVF, VEF1 e relação VEF1/CVF foram de 1,78 l (50% do previsto), 1,48 l (52% do previsto) e 83%, respectivamente. No primeiro mês após o transplante, houve um aumento médio de 12% tanto na CVF (400 ml) como no VEF1 (350 ml). No terceiro mês após o transplante, houve um aumento adicional médio de 5% (170 ml) na CVF e de 1% (50 ml) no VEF1. Ao final do primeiro ano, a melhora funcional foi persistente, com um ganho médio de 19% (620 ml) na CVF e de 16% (430 ml) no VEF1.Conclusões: O transplante pulmonar unilateral em portadores de FPI que sobrevivam por pelo menos um ano proporciona importante e progressivo benefício na sua função pulmonar no decorrer do primeiro ano. Este procedimento é uma importante alternativa terapêutica no manejo da FPI.

Effect of the systemic administration of methylprednisolone on the lungs of brain-dead donor rats undergoing pulmonary transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Most lung transplants are obtained from brain-dead donors. The physiopathology of brain death involves hemodynamics, the sympathetic nervous system, and inflammatory mechanisms. Administering methylprednisolone 60 min after inducing brain death in rats has been shown to modulate pulmonary inflammatory activity. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of methylprednisolone on transplanted rat lungs from donors treated 60 min after brain death. METHODS: Twelve Wistar rats were anesthetized, and brain death was induced. They were randomly divided into two groups (n=6), namely a control group, which was administered saline solution, and a methylprednisolone group, which received the drug 60 min after the induction of brain death. All of the animals were observed and ventilated for 2 h prior to being submitted to lung transplantation. We evaluated the hemodynamic and blood gas parameters, histological score, lung tissue levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, level of superoxide dismutase, level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and level of interleukin-1 beta. RESULTS: After transplantation, a significant reduction in the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-1ß was observed in the group that received methylprednisolone (p=0.0084 and p=0.0155, respectively). There were no significant differences in tumor necrosis factor-alpha and superoxide dismutase levels between the control and methylprednisolone groups (p=0.2644 and p=0.7461, respectively). There were no significant differences in the blood gas parameters, hemodynamics, and histological alterations between the groups. CONCLUSION: The administration of methylprednisolone after brain death in donor rats reduces inflammatory activity in transplanted lungs but has no influence on parameters related to oxidative stress.

Effect of the systemic administration of methylprednisolone on the lungs of brain-dead donor rats undergoing pulmonary transplantation

OBJECTIVE: Most lung transplants are obtained from brain-dead donors. The physiopathology of brain death involves hemodynamics, the sympathetic nervous system, and inflammatory mechanisms. Administering methylprednisolone 60 min after inducing brain death in rats has been shown to modulate pulmonary inflammatory activity. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of methylprednisolone on transplanted rat lungs from donors treated 60 min after brain death. METHODS: Twelve Wistar rats were anesthetized, and brain death was induced. They were randomly divided into two groups (n = 6), namely a control group, which was administered saline solution, and a methylprednisolone group, which received the drug 60 min after the induction of brain death. All of the animals were observed and ventilated for 2 h prior to being submitted to lung transplantation. We evaluated the hemodynamic and blood gas parameters, histological score, lung tissue levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, level of superoxide dismutase, level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and level of interleukin-1 beta. RESULTS: After transplantation, a significant reduction in the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-1β was observed in the group that received methylprednisolone (p = 0.0084 and p = 0.0155, respectively). There were no significant differences in tumor necrosis factor-alpha and superoxide dismutase levels between the control and methylprednisolone groups (p = 0.2644 and p = 0.7461, respectively). There were no significant differences in the blood gas parameters, hemodynamics, and histological alterations between the groups. CONCLUSION: The administration of methylprednisolone after brain death in donor rats reduces inflammatory activity in transplanted lungs but has no influence on parameters related to oxidative stress. .

Surgical treatment of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in Brazilian children.

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical characteristics of patients submitted to surgical treatment for non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis, the indications for surgery, and the results obtained at a referral facility for pediatric thoracic surgery. METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 2009, we retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 109 pediatric patients with non-CF bronchiectasis who underwent surgical treatment. These findings were subsequently analyzed by focusing on postoperative complications and long-term results. RESULTS: Of the 109 patients undergoing pulmonary resection, the mean age was 7.6 years (ranging from 1 to 15.5 y-o) with male predominance (59 %). The most common procedure was segmentectomy (43 %) followed by left lower lobectomy (38 %). Minor postoperative complications occurred in 36 % of the patients; the most common was transient atelectasis (26 %), followed by air leak (6 %), and postoperative pain (4 %). There was one death within the 30-day postoperative period, but it was unrelated to the procedure. Eighty-three children were followed after discharge, with a mean follow-up period of 667 days. Sixty-five (76 %) patients showed improvement of clinical symptoms after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Lung resection for the treatment of non-CF bronchiectasis in children is a safe procedure, with no life-treating morbidity and low mortality. This procedure also leads to significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life.

Effectiveness of diaphragmatic stimulation with single-channel electrodes in rabbits.

Every year, a large number of individuals become dependent on mechanical ventilation because of a loss of diaphragm function. The most common causes are cervical spinal trauma and neuromuscular diseases. We have developed an experimental model to evaluate the performance of electrical stimulation of the diaphragm in rabbits using single-channel electrodes implanted directly into the muscle. Various current intensities (10, 16, 20, and 26 mA) produced tidal volumes above the baseline value, showing that this model is effective for the study of diaphragm performance at different levels of electrical stimulation.

Effectiveness of diaphragmatic stimulation with single-channel electrodes in rabbits / Efetividade da estimulacao diafragmatica com eletrodos monocanais em coelhos

Every year, a large number of individuals become dependent on mechanical ventilation because of a loss of diaphragm function. The most common causes are cervical spinal trauma and neuromuscular diseases. We have developed an experimental model to evaluate the performance of electrical stimulation of the diaphragm in rabbits using single-channel electrodes implanted directly into the muscle. Various current intensities (10, 16, 20, and 26 mA) produced tidal volumes above the baseline value, showing that this model is effective for the study of diaphragm performance at different levels of electrical stimulation.

A cada ano um grande número de pessoas perde a função do diafragma tornando-se dependentes de ventilação mecânica. As principais causas são o trauma raquimedular da região cervical e as doenças neuromusculares. Desenvolvemos um modelo experimental para avaliar o desempenho da estimulação elétrica do diafragma em coelhos com eletrodos monocanais implantados diretamente neste músculo. Foram aplicadas diferentes intensidades de correntes (10, 16, 20 e 26 mA), as quais geraram volumes correntes acima dos valores basais, mostrando que este modelo é eficaz para estudar o desempenho do diafragma sob diferentes tipos de estimulação elétrica.

Endobronchial perfluorocarbon reduces inflammatory activity before and after lung transplantation in an animal experimental model.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of liquid perfluorocarbon (PFC) as an adjuvant substance for lung preservation and assess its role in pulmonary protection after transplantation. METHODS: Seventy-two rat lungs were flushed with low-potassium dextran (LPD) solution and randomized into three main groups: control with LPD alone and experimental with 3 (PFC3) and 7 mL/kg (PFC7) of endobronchial PFC instilled just after harvest. Each group was divided into four subgroups according to preservation time (3, 6, 12, and 24 hours). Afterwards, we performed lung transplantation using rat lungs preserved for 12 hours with LPD alone or with 7 mL/kg of endobronchial PFC. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in oxidative stress in the control group at 6 h of cold ischemic time compared with the PFC3 and PFC7 groups. The apoptotic activity and NF-κB expression were significantly higher in the control group compared with the PFC groups at 3, 12, and 24 h of cold preservation. After transplantation, the NF-κB, iNOS, and nitrotyrosine expression as well as caspase 3 activity were significantly lower in the PFC groups. CONCLUSION: The use of endobronchial PFC as an adjuvant to the current preservation strategy improved graft viability.