The Incidence and Predictors of Thromboembolic Events in Patients with Lung Cancer

Patients with lung cancer experience elevated risk of venous thromboembolism. Cancer patients with thrombosis have a shorter life expectancy and the occurrence of VTE worsens the quality of life and may delay, interrupt, or completely halt the cancer therapy. In a large cohort of lung cancer patients we monitored the incidence of venous thromboembolism and we identified groups of patients with the highest risk of venous thromboembolism suitable for antithrombotic prophylaxis, which could favourably affect their morbidity and mortality

Transbronchial biopsy from the upper pulmonary lobes is associated with increased risk of pneumothorax – a retrospective study

Abstract Background Pneumothorax (PTX) is one of the most common complications of transbronchial biopsy (TBB). Previous research suggests that upper pulmonary lobe TBB may be associated with increased risk of PTX development. The aim of this study was to compare the risk of PTX after TBB performed from different pulmonary lobes. Methods All bronchoscopic records from the period January 1st, 2015 - December 31st, 2017 (from the Department of Respiratory Diseases, University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic) were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 3542 bronchoscopic records, 796 patients underwent TBB and were further analyzed. Basic demographic data, TBB procedure-related factors, smoking history and radiological features were analyzed. Furthermore, in patients who developed PTX, PTX onset, PTX symptoms, distribution of the abnormal radiological findings and duration of hospitalization were also analyzed. Results Patients who developed PTX had significantly lower body mass index (BMI) and more than 4 samples taken during procedure (all p < 0.05). TBB performed from the left upper pulmonary lobe was associated with a significant risk of PTX development (OR 2.27; 95% CI 1.18–4.35; p = 0.02). On the contrary, TBB performed from the right lower lobe was associated with a significant reduction of risk of developing PTX (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.22–0.98; p = 0.04). Logistic regression analysis showed BMI (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.02–1.16; p = 0.01), left upper lobe as sampling site (OR 2.15; 95% CI 1.13–4.11; p = 0.02) and more than 4 samples taken (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.04–3.49; p = 0.04) to be significantly associated with PTX development. Conclusions We conclude that TBB from the left upper pulmonary lobe is associated with significantly increased risk of post-procedural PTX. The right lower pulmonary lobe seems to be the safest sampling site to perform TBB. In patients with diffuse-type pulmonary disease, TBB should be performed preferably from the right lower lobe in order to decrease the risk of post-procedural PTX

Ice Hockey Lung – A Case of Mass Nitrogen Dioxide Poisoning in The Czech Republic

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a toxic gas, a product of combustion in malfunctioning ice-resurfacing machines. NO2 poisoning is rare but potentially lethal. The authors report a case of mass NO2 poisoning involving 15 amateur ice hockey players in the Czech Republic. All players were treated in the Department of Respiratory Diseases at Brno University Hospital in November 2010 – three as inpatients because they developed pneumonitis. All patients were followed-up until November 2011. Complete recovery in all but one patient was achieved by December 2010. None of the 15 patients developed asthma-like disease or chronic cough. Corticosteroids appeared to be useful in treatment. Electric-powered ice-resurfacing machines are preferable in indoor ice skating arenas

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing for identification of patients with hyperventilation syndrome.

IntroductionMeasurement of ventilatory efficiency, defined as minute ventilation per unit carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2), by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) has been proposed as a screen for hyperventilation syndrome (HVS). However, increased VE/VCO2 may be associated with other disorders which need to be distinguished from HVS. A more specific marker of HVS by CPET would be clinically useful. We hypothesized ventilatory control during exercise is abnormal in patients with HVS.MethodsPatients who underwent CPET from years 2015 through 2017 were retrospectively identified and formed the study group. HVS was defined as dyspnea with respiratory alkalosis (pH >7.45) at peak exercise with absence of acute or chronic respiratory, heart or psychiatric disease. Healthy patients were selected as controls. For comparison the Student t-test or Mann-Whitney U test were used. Data are summarized as mean ± SD or median (IQR); pResultsTwenty-nine patients with HVS were identified and 29 control subjects were selected. At rest, end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2) was 27 mmHg (25-30) for HVS patients vs. 30 mmHg (28-32); in controls (p = 0.05). At peak exercise PETCO2 was also significantly lower (27 ± 4 mmHg vs. 35 ± 4 mmHg; pConclusionAbsence of VE/VCO2 and PETCO2 change during exercise may identify patients with HVS

The risk of post-operative pulmonary complications in lung resection candidates with normal forced expiratory volume in 1 s and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide: a prospective multicentre study

Introduction According to the guidelines for preoperative assessment of lung resection candidates, patients with normal forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) are at low risk for post-operative pulmonary complications (PPC). However, PPC affect hospital length of stay and related healthcare costs. We aimed to assess risk of PPC for lung resection candidates with normal FEV1 and DLCO (>80% predicted) and identify factors associated with PPC. Methods 398 patients were prospectively studied at two centres between 2017 and 2021. PPC were recorded from the first 30 post-operative days. Subgroups of patients with and without PPC were compared and factors with significant difference were analysed by uni- and multivariate logistic regression. Results 188 subjects had normal FEV1 and DLCO. Of these, 17 patients (9%) developed PPC. Patients with PPC had significantly lower pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2) at rest (27.7 versus 29.9; p=0.033) and higher ventilatory efficiency (V′E/V′CO2) slope (31.1 versus 28; p=0.016) compared to those without PPC. Multivariate models showed association between resting PETCO2 (OR 0.872; p=0.035) and V′E/V′CO2 slope (OR 1.116; p=0.03) and PPC. In both models, thoracotomy was strongly associated with PPC (OR 6.419; p=0.005 and OR 5.884; p=0.007, respectively). Peak oxygen consumption failed to predict PPC (p=0.917). Conclusions Resting PETCO2 adds incremental information for risk prediction of PPC in patients with normal FEV1 and DLCO. We propose resting PETCO2 be an additional parameter to FEV1 and DLCO for preoperative risk stratification