National Emphysema Treatment Trial redux: accentuating the positive.

OBJECTIVE: Under the Freedom of Information Act, we obtained the follow-up data of the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) to determine the long-term outcome for "a heterogeneous distribution of emphysema with upper lobe predominance," postulated by the NETT hypothesis to be optimal candidates for lung volume reduction surgery. METHODS: Using the NETT database, we identified patients with heterogeneous distribution of emphysema with upper lobe predominance and analyzed for the first time follow-up data for those receiving lung volume reduction surgery and those receiving medical management. Furthermore, we compared the results of the NETT reduction surgery group with a previously reported consecutive case series of 250 patients undergoing bilateral lung volume reduction surgery using similar selection criteria. RESULTS: Of the 1218 patients enrolled, 511 (42%) conformed to the NETT hypothesis selection criteria and received the randomly assigned surgical or medical treatment (surgical = 261; medical = 250). Lung volume reduction surgery resulted in a 5-year survival benefit (70% vs 60%; P = .02). Results at 3 years compared with baseline data favored surgical reduction in terms of residual volume reduction (25% vs 2%; P < .001), University of California San Diego dyspnea score (16 vs 0 points; P < .001), and improved St George Respiratory Questionnaire quality of life score (12 points vs 0 points; P < .001). For the 513 patients with a homogeneous pattern of emphysema randomized to surgical or medical treatment, lung volume reduction surgery produced no survival advantage and very limited functional benefit. CONCLUSIONS: Patients most likely to benefit from lung volume reduction surgery have heterogeneously distributed emphysema involving the upper lung zones predominantly. Such patients in the NETT trial had results nearly identical to those previously reported in a nonrandomized series of similar patients undergoing lung volume reduction surgery.

Ischemic preconditioning by selective occlusion of the pulmonary artery in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of lung ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on normothermic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in a rat model, quantifying the production of reactive oxygen species. METHODS: Forty-seven male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: control, sham, I/R and IPC. Control group animals were anesthetized and killed by decapitation, after which pneumonectomy was performed and the left lungs were stored in liquid nitrogen. Sham, IPC and I/R group rats were anesthetized, tracheostomized, ventilated, anticoagulated and submitted to left thoracotomy with dissection of the left pulmonary artery for clamping. Sham group rats underwent dissection of the left pulmonary artery, I/R group rats underwent 30 min of total hilar clamping, and IPC group rats underwent 5-min clamping of the left pulmonary artery followed by 30 min of total hilar clamping. Lungs were reperfused for 90 min and ventilated with the same parameters, with additional positive end-expiratory pressure of 1 cmH2O. Hemodynamic and blood gas values were obtained prior to thoracotomy, prior to total hilar clamping, after 30 min of reperfusion and after 90 min of reperfusion. Lipid peroxidation was determined by measuring levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the groups in terms of the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Nor were there any significant differences among the sham, I/R and IPC groups in terms of arterial oxygen tension, arterial carbon dioxide tension or hemodynamic values. CONCLUSIONS: In an in situ I/R rat model, 5-min IPC of the left pulmonary artery does not attenuate I/R injury.

Pré-condicionamento isquêmico por oclusão seletiva da artéria pulmonar em ratos / Ischemic preconditioning by selective occlusion of the pulmonary artery in rats

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do pré-condicionamento isquêmico (PCI) em modelo de isquemia e reperfusão (I/R) pulmonar normotérmica em ratos, quantificando a produção de espécies reativas do oxigênio. MÉTODOS: Quarenta e sete ratos Wistar foram randomizados em quatro grupos: controle, sham, I/R e PCI. Após anestesia, animais do grupo controle foram sacrificados por decapitação, pneumonectomizados, e os pulmões esquerdos armazenados em nitrogênio líquido. Animais dos grupos sham, I/R e PCI foram anestesiados, traqueostomizados, ventilados, anticoagulados e submetidos a uma toracotomia esquerda com dissecção da artéria pulmonar esquerda para clampeamento. No grupo sham procedeu-se a dissecção da artéria pulmonar esquerda; no grupo I/R, clampeamento hilar total de 30 min e no grupo PCI, clampeamento da artéria pulmonar esquerda por 5 min seguido por reperfusão de 10 min e um clampeamento hilar total de 30 min. Pulmões foram reperfundidos por 90 min e ventilados com os mesmos parâmetros, acrescidos de pressão expiratória final positiva de 1 cmH2O. Foram obtidas medidas hemodinâmicas e gasométricas antes da toracotomia, antes do clampeamento hilar total, aos 30 e 90 min de reperfusão. A peroxidação lipídica foi estabelecida por meio da determinação das substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico. RESULTADOS: A determinação das substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico analisada nos grupos controle, sham, I/R, PCI não revelou diferenças significativas, o mesmo ocorrendo com a pressão parcial arterial de oxigênio, pressão parcial arterial de gás carbônico e medidas hemodinâmicas entre os grupos sham, I/R e PCI. CONCLUSÕES: O PCI de 5 min da artéria pulmonar esquerda em modelo de I/R in situ em ratos não atenua a lesão de I/R.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of lung ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on normothermic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in a rat model, quantifying the production of reactive oxygen species. METHODS: Forty-seven male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: control, sham, I/R and IPC. Control group animals were anesthetized and killed by decapitation, after which pneumonectomy was performed and the left lungs were stored in liquid nitrogen. Sham, IPC and I/R group rats were anesthetized, tracheostomized, ventilated, anticoagulated and submitted to left thoracotomy with dissection of the left pulmonary artery for clamping. Sham group rats underwent dissection of the left pulmonary artery, I/R group rats underwent 30 min of total hilar clamping, and IPC group rats underwent 5-min clamping of the left pulmonary artery followed by 30 min of total hilar clamping. Lungs were reperfused for 90 min and ventilated with the same parameters, with additional positive end-expiratory pressure of 1 cmH2O. Hemodynamic and blood gas values were obtained prior to thoracotomy, prior to total hilar clamping, after 30 min of reperfusion and after 90 min of reperfusion. Lipid peroxidation was determined by measuring levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the groups in terms of the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Nor were there any significant differences among the sham, I/R and IPC groups in terms of arterial oxygen tension, arterial carbon dioxide tension or hemodynamic values. CONCLUSIONS: In an in situ I/R rat model, 5-min IPC of the left pulmonary artery does not attenuate I/R injury.

Technical modification of unilateral lung transplantation in rats.

The increasing demand in transplantation research requires efficient and less expensive animal models in order to obtain reliable results that are reproducible in larger animal models and, ultimately, applied clinically. The model of unilateral left lung transplantation in rats has proven to be a useful alternative for those purposes. We demonstrate a technical modification of this model, which consists of the isolation and ligation of the contralateral (right) pulmonary artery, allowing blood circulation exclusively in the transplanted lung. This model is feasible and reproducible. However, the short survival time restricts the assessment of the transplanted lung to a maximum period of three hours.

Endobronchial inflammatory pseudotumor: a case report.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung is a rare form of benign neoplasia and is generally characterized by a solitary pulmonary nodule. The endobronchial presentation is uncommon. Conservative surgery remains the treatment of choice, and surgeons should always strive to achieve tumor-free margins due to the possibility of local recidivism. This article reports the case of a 36-year-old male patient with recurrent attacks of wheezing and cough. The patient underwent successful bronchoplasty for the resection of an endobronchial inflammatory pseudotumor.

Evaluation of pantoprazol treatment response of patients with asthma and gastroesophageal reflux: a randomized prospective double-blind placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect that the treatment of GERD has on the clinical management, as well as the respiratory function, of patients with asthma and to evaluate the clinical characteristics of this group of patients. METHODS: Patients with asthma and concomitant GERD, documented using 24 h pH-metry, were evaluated by means of quality of life questionnaires, as well as questionnaires related to respiratory and digestive symptoms. In addition, esophageal manometry, spirometry and the determination of peak expiratory flow were also performed prior to and after the study. Forty-nine individuals who were diagnosed with GERD by means of 24 h esophageal pH-metry were selected and participated in a clinical randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study, involving the administration of 40 mg/day of pantoprazol for 12 consecutive weeks. RESULTS: Forty-four individuals completed the study (n = 22 per group). There was significant improvement in the scores for respiratory symptoms and quality of life only in the group that received pantoprazol (p = 0.01 and p = 0.001, respectively). No respiratory function parameters changed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the effective treatment of GERD improved patient quality of life, and the symptoms of asthma significantly decreased in the group that received the medication. There were no changes in pulmonary function parameters.

Modificação da técnica de alotransplante pulmonar unilateral em ratos / Technical modification of unilateral lung transplantation in rats

A crescente demanda de pesquisa em transplantes requer modelos eficientes e baratos que permitam resultados confiáveis para que, posteriormente, possam ser reproduzidos em animais de grande porte e, finalmente, aplicados clinicamente. O modelo de transplante pulmonar unilateral esquerdo em ratos tem demonstrado ser uma alternativa útil para estes propósitos. Apresentamos uma nova variante para esta técnica, a qual consiste no isolamento e ligadura da artéria pulmonar contralateral, permitindo a circulação do sangue somente no pulmão transplantado. Este modelo é exeqüível e reprodutível; no entanto, o tempo de sobrevida é relativamente curto, não permitindo avaliação do pulmão transplantado por períodos superiores a três horas.

The increasing demand in transplantation research requires efficient and less expensive animal models in order to obtain reliable results that are reproducible in larger animal models and, ultimately, applied clinically. The model of unilateral left lung transplantation in rats has proven to be a useful alternative for those purposes. We demonstrate a technical modification of this model, which consists of the isolation and ligation of the contralateral (right) pulmonary artery, allowing blood circulation exclusively in the transplanted lung. This model is feasible and reproducible. However, the short survival time restricts the assessment of the transplanted lung to a maximum period of three hours.

Pseudotumor inflamatório endobrônquico: relato de caso / Endobronchial inflammatory pseudotumor: a case report

O pseudotumor inflamatório de pulmão é uma neoplasia benigna rara que geralmente se manifesta como um nódulo pulmonar solitário. A apresentação endobrônquica é infreqüente. O tratamento de escolha continua sendo a cirurgia conservadora e deve-se sempre procurar obter margens livres devido à possibilidade de recidiva local. Esse artigo relata o caso de um paciente de 36 anos, com crises de sibilância e tosse, que foi submetido, com sucesso, à broncoplastia para ressecção de um pseudotumor inflamatório endobrônquico.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung is a rare form of benign neoplasia and is generally characterized by a solitary pulmonary nodule. The endobronchial presentation is uncommon. Conservative surgery remains the treatment of choice, and surgeons should always strive to achieve tumor-free margins due to the possibility of local recidivism. This article reports the case of a 36-year-old male patient with recurrent attacks of wheezing and cough. The patient underwent successful bronchoplasty for the resection of an endobronchial inflammatory pseudotumor.

Avaliação da resposta de pacientes asmáticos com refluxo gastroesofágico após terapia com pantoprazol: estudo prospectivo, randomizado, duplo cego e placebo-controlado / Evaluation of pantoprazol treatment response of patients with asthma and gastroesophageal reflux: a randomized prospective double-blind placebo-controlled study

OBJETIVOS: Determinar o efeito do tratamento da DRGE no controle clinico e funcional respiratório em indivíduos asmáticos e avaliar as características clinicas deste grupo de pacientes. MÉTODOS: Pacientes com asma portadores de DRGE patológico documentado por pHmetria de 24 h foram avaliados por meio de questionários sobre sintomas respiratórios, digestivos, de qualidade de vida além de manometria esofágica, espirometria e pico de fluxo expiratório antes e após o estudo. Quarenta e nove indivíduos que apresentavam DRGE patológico na pHmetria esofágica de 24 h foram selecionados e participaram de ensaio clínico terapêutico com pantoprazol (40 mg/dia) controlado com placebo, randomizado, duplo-cego, paralelo por 12 semanas consecutivas. RESULTADOS: Quarenta e quatro indivíduos completaram o estudo (n = 22 cada grupo). Houve melhora significativa no escore de sintomas respiratórios e na qualidade de vida somente no grupo que utilizou pantoprazol (p = 0,01 e p = 0,001, respectivamente). Os parâmetros funcionais respiratórios não se modificaram com os diferentes tratamentos. CONCLUSÕES: Neste estudo, o tratamento efetivo do RGE melhorou a qualidade de vida, determinou diminuição dos sintomas em asma de maneira significativa no grupo que utilizou medicamento, contudo sem alterar os parâmetros funcionais.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect that the treatment of GERD has on the clinical management, as well as the respiratory function, of patients with asthma and to evaluate the clinical characteristics of this group of patients. METHODS: Patients with asthma and concomitant GERD, documented using 24 h pH-metry, were evaluated by means of quality of life questionnaires, as well as questionnaires related to respiratory and digestive symptoms. In addition, esophageal manometry, spirometry and the determination of peak expiratory flow were also performed prior to and after the study. Forty-nine individuals who were diagnosed with GERD by means of 24 h esophageal pH-metry were selected and participated in a clinical randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study, involving the administration of 40 mg/day of pantoprazol for 12 consecutive weeks. RESULTS: Forty-four individuals completed the study (n = 22 per group). There was significant improvement in the scores for respiratory symptoms and quality of life only in the group that received pantoprazol (p = 0.01 and p = 0.001, respectively). No respiratory function parameters changed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the effective treatment of GERD improved patient quality of life, and the symptoms of asthma significantly decreased in the group that received the medication. There were no changes in pulmonary function parameters.

Lobectomia por carcinoma brônquico: análise das co-morbidades e seu impacto na morbimortalidade pós-operatória / Lobectomy for treating bronchial carcinoma: analysis of comorbidities and their impact on postoperative morbidity and mortality

OBJETIVO: Analisar o impacto das co-morbidades no desempenho pós-operatório de lobectomia por carcinoma brônquico. MÉTODOS: Estudaram-se retrospectivamente 493 pacientes submetidos a lobectomia por carcinoma brônquico e 305 preencheram os critérios de inclusão. A técnica cirúrgica foi sempre semelhante. Analisaram-se as co-morbidades categorizando-se os pacientes nas escalas de Torrington-Henderson e de Charlson, estabelecendo-se grupos de risco para complicações e óbito. RESULTADOS: A mortalidade operatória foi de 2,9 por cento e o índice de complicações de 44 por cento. O escape aéreo prolongado foi a complicação mais freqüente (20,6 por cento). A análise univariada mostrou que sexo, idade, tabagismo, terapia neo-adjuvante e diabetes apresentaram impacto significativo na incidência de complicações. O índice de massa corporal (23,8 ± 4,4 kg/m²), volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (74,1 ± 24 por cento) e relação entre volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo e capacidade vital forçada (0,65 ± 0,1) foram fatores preditivos da ocorrência de complicações. As escalas foram eficazes na identificação de grupos de risco e na relação com a morbimortalidade (p = 0,001 e p < 0,001). A análise multivariada identificou que o índice de massa corporal e o índice de Charlson foram os principais determinantes de complicações; o escape aéreo prolongado foi o principal fator envolvido na mortalidade (p = 0,01). CONCLUSÃO: Valores reduzidos de volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo, relação entre volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo e capacidade vital forçada, índice de massa corporal e graus 3-4 de Charlson e 3 de PORT associaram-se a mais complicações após lobectomias por carcinoma brônquico. O escape aéreo persistente associou-se fortemente à mortalidade.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact that comorbidities have on the postoperative outcomes in patients submitted to lobectomy for the treatment of bronchial carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective study of 493 patients submitted to lobectomy for the treatment of bronchial carcinoma was conducted, and 305 of those patients met the criteria for inclusion in the final study sample. The surgical technique used was similar in all cases. The Torrington-Henderson scale and the Charlson scale were used to analyze comorbidities and to categorize patients into groups based on degree of risk for postoperative complications or death. RESULTS: The postoperative (30-day) mortality rate was 2.9 percent, and the postoperative complications index was 44 percent. Prolonged air leakage was the most common complication (in 20.6 percent). The univariate analysis revealed that gender, age, smoking, neoadjuvant therapy and diabetes all had a significant impact on the incidence of complications. The factors found to be predictive of complications were body mass index (23.8 ± 4.4), forced expiratory volume in one second (74.1 ± 24 percent) and the ratio between forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity (0.65 ± 0.1). The scales employed proved efficacious in the identification of the risk groups, as well as in drawing correlations with morbidity and mortality (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, body mass index and the Charlson index were found to be the principal determinants of complications. In addition, prolonged air leakage was found to be the principal factor involved in mortality (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Reductions in forced expiratory volume in one second, in the ratio between forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity, and in body mass index, as well as a Charlson score of 3 or 4 and a Torrington-Henderson score of 3, were associated with a greater number of postoperative complications in patients...

Lobectomy for treating bronchial carcinoma: analysis of comorbidities and their impact on postoperative morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact that comorbidities have on the postoperative outcomes in patients submitted to lobectomy for the treatment of bronchial carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective study of 493 patients submitted to lobectomy for the treatment of bronchial carcinoma was conducted, and 305 of those patients met the criteria for inclusion in the final study sample. The surgical technique used was similar in all cases. The Torrington-Henderson scale and the Charlson scale were used to analyze comorbidities and to categorize patients into groups based on degree of risk for postoperative complications or death. RESULTS: The postoperative (30-day) mortality rate was 2.9%, and the postoperative complications index was 44%. Prolonged air leakage was the most common complication (in 20.6%). The univariate analysis revealed that gender, age, smoking, neoadjuvant therapy and diabetes all had a significant impact on the incidence of complications. The factors found to be predictive of complications were body mass index (23.8 +/- 4.4), forced expiratory volume in one second (74.1 +/- 24%) and the ratio between forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity (0.65 +/- 0.1). The scales employed proved efficacious in the identification of the risk groups, as well as in drawing correlations with morbidity and mortality (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, body mass index and the Charlson index were found to be the principal determinants of complications. In addition, prolonged air leakage was found to be the principal factor involved in mortality (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Reductions in forced expiratory volume in one second, in the ratio between forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity, and in body mass index, as well as a Charlson score of 3 or 4 and a Torrington-Henderson score of 3, were associated with a greater number of postoperative complications in patients submitted to lobectomy for the treatment of bronchial carcinoma. Air leakage was found to be strongly associated with mortality.

Broncoscopia / Bronchoscopy

O exame endoscópico das vias aéreas é procedimento realizado com fins diagnósticos, terapêuticos e de pesquisa. A evolução dos equipamentos e métodos de processamento de imagem permite que, com segurança, hoje se realize uma variedade de procedimentos adequados conforme as necessidades das situações clínicas específicas. O procedimento requer treinamento adequado, que obrigatoriamente deverá incluir familiaridade e experiência com endoscopia rígida e flexível. Mais recentemente, o advento dos procedimentos terapêuticos minimamente invasivos por via broncoscópica direcionados a patologias que, outrora, ou seriam tratadas apenas cirurgicamente ou não seriam tratadas, findou por adicionar novas modalidades terapêuticas ao arsenal terapêutico já existente. Assim sendo, exige-se do especialista mais preparo específico para que possa familiarizar-se e utilizar essas tecnologias em rápida evolução (AU)

Airway endoscopy is a procedure utilized mostly for diagnostic, therapeutic and also for research purposes. The technological improvements in equipment and image processing has allowed that a number of procedures can be performed safely, according to what is required by the different clinical situations. The bronchoscopic procedure requires specific trainning and experience in both flexible and rigid bronchoscopy. The recent advances in minimally invasive procedures has ultimately included a new array of therapeutic bronchoscopy for diseases which would otherwise not be treated, or offered only surgery, ended up adding a new variety of procedures that demand constant updates for the specialist to keep up with this rapidly evolving technology (AU)