Evaluation of respiratory parameters in finswimmers regarding gender, swimming style and distance.

AIM: The purpose of our study was to investigate the differences in the finswimmers' physiological characteristics, as far as gender, the swimming style and the different swimming distance are concerned. METHODS: 52 finswimmers participated in our study (Age: 17.4 ±â€¯2.1yrs, BMI: 21.8 ±â€¯2.3, body fat: 12.2 ±â€¯4.7%) and were allocated into groups [Gender: Female vs. Male, swimming style: Bifin vs. Surface, and swimming distance: <200 m vs. ≥200 m]. Anthropometric characteristics, handgrip, estimated strength of inspiratory muscles (PImax) and pulmonary function parameters (FEV1, FVC and PEF) were measured. The Independent T-test was used for statistical comparisons between groups. Multivariate analyses were performed via binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The results showed differences between groups in gender in PEF (p < 0.05), PImax (p < 0.05) and handgrip (p < 0.001) in swimming style in handgrip (p < 0.05), FEV1 (p < 0.05) and FVC (p < 0.05) and in swimming distance (p < 0.05) in hours/day spent at the gym (p < 0.05) and FVC (p < 0.05). In multivariate analyses handgrip remained an independent predictor of style (OR: 1.154; 95%CI: 1.022-1.303, p = .021), and hours/day spent at the gym was retained as an independent predictor of distance (OR: 131.607; 95%CI: 3.655-4739.441, p = .008). CONCLUSION: The data from the present study reveal that handgrip was associated with style, and hours per day spent at the gym were associated with distance.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension in a patient with common variable immunodeficiency and unilateral bronchiectasis: Successful treatment with iloprost.

The present study describes a case of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with unilateral lung destruction due to bronchiectasis in a patient with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Initially, the patient's treatment included antibiotics, oral anticoagulants, diuretics, and immunoglobulin replacement therapy. However, the patient's condition improved significantly only after inhaled iloprost was administered. Three months later, his PAH was almost reversed. The hemodynamic response of our patient suggests that inhaled iloprost may have a role in the treatment of sustained PAH related to unilateral lung destruction.