Pneumologie最新文献

The Lungenemphysemregister e.V. (LE-Register) offers a specialized platform for the exchange of knowledge, the promotion of research and the improvement of the quality of care in interventional endoscopic and surgical therapies as well as the consideration of other socio-economic and health aspects of pulmonary emphysema. The current focus is primarily on endoscopic and surgical treatment approaches for patients. Through the networking of experts, the development of specific quality standards and the certification of centers, the LE Registry contributes to the evidence-based further development and optimization of these highly specialized therapies and with a focus on other aspects of health promotion in the future.

There is a high prevalence of dysphagia among patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring. Swallowing is a complex process requiring fine-tuned neuromuscular coordination. Breathing and swallowing share a common passage in the pharynx. Swallowing process can be divided into an oral, pharyngeal and esophageal phase. When the swallowing reflex starts, hyoid and larynx are pulled up and the glottis covers the entrance to larynx. During swallowing apnea, which is a respiration pause for about 0.5-1.0 seconds, the bolus passes pharyngeal airway. Dysphagia is associated with severe complications such as aspiration and pneumonia. Although the pathophysiology of dysphagia in OSA-patients is not clearly understood, we assume that dysphagia is also a result of sensory and motor changes in the oropharynx caused by snoring vibrations.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of patients requiring out-of-hospital intensive care. Although many of these patients are invasively ventilated, pulmonological care is often lacking. Additionally, up to 60-70% of these patients are suspected to have further potential for weaning. A telemedicine approach to assess weaning potential and provide pulmonological care has not yet been studied.From March 2021 to February 2024, we conducted telemedicine pulmonological consultations in four respiratory care groups. A medical history interview and the assessment of parameters such as ventilation measurements were performed via a video portal. In addition, a portable blood gas analysis (BGA) device and a digital stethoscope were used. Treatment recommendations were implemented by the primary care physicians. These data were compared with a control group from four respiratory care groups that did not receive pulmonological care.A total of 71 tracheotomized patients, regardless of their weaning potential, were included in the telemedicine group. Of these, 40 were breathing spontaneously and 31 were mechanically ventilated (weaning stages 3aII and 3cI respectively). The ventilation duration of 23/31 (74%) patients in the telemedicine group was successfully reduced: 5/31 (16%) required only nocturnal ventilation, and in 4/31 (13%), ventilation was completely discontinued. In a control group of 63 patients (3aII: n=34, 3cI: n=29), only 1/29 (3%) experienced a reduction in ventilation time.In the telemedicine group, 11/71 (15%) patients were admitted for decannulation (3aII: n=6, 3cI: n=5). Of these, 7/11 (64%) were successfully decannulated (3aII: n=3, 3cI: n=4), with an average hospital stay reduced to 9 days. In the control group, 3/63 (5%) patients were admitted for decannulation, but none were successfully decannulated. One patient was successfully decannulated during a hospital stay for another reason.In addition, 310 tele-pulmonological therapy modifications were made in the intervention group, corresponding to 978 patient months: 1/3 patients required a therapy modification per month.Tele-pulmonological care in out-of-hospital intensive care allows for the identification of weaning potential, the targeted planning of hospital stays for weaning, and the avoidance of unnecessary hospitalizations. Moreover, it improves patient treatment outcomes. Regular monitoring at individualized intervals is necessary for this approach.

Long-term monitoring of respiratory rate (RR) is an important component in the management of chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). Specifically, predicting acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is of significant scientific and clinical interest. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term validity of a novel contactless sleep monitor (CSM) in the home environment of CRD patients receiving ventilatory support. Additionally, we assessed patient acceptance, device usability, and RR fluctuations associated with AECOPD to establish a robust foundation for future research.In this prospective proof-of-concept study, nineteen patients requiring non-invasive ventilation (NIV) were provided with the CSM in their home environment for six months and seven patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) for one month. The primary indication for NIV therapy was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).The CSM was validated under real-life conditions by comparing its nocturnal RR values with software data from both types of ventilators. Acceptability and usability of the sensor were assessed using a questionnaire. Additionally, COPD exacerbations occurring during the study period were analyzed for potential RR fluctuations preceding these events.Mean absolute error (MAE) of median RR between the NIV device and the CSM, based on 2326 nights, was 0.78 (SD: 1.96) breaths per minute (brpm). MAE between the IMV device and the CSM was 0.12 brpm (SD: 0.52) for 215 nights. The non-contact device was accepted by the patients and proved to be easy in use. In some of the overall only 13 cases of AECOPD, RR time courses showed variations of increased nocturnal respiratory activity a few days before the occurrence of such events.The present CSM is suitable for valid long-term monitoring of nocturnal RR in patients' home environment and is well accepted by the patients. The exploratory findings related to AECOPD events may serve as a starting point for larger studies aimed at developing robust prediction rules.

A 79-year-old female patient presented to our emergency department with a productive cough and shortness of breath that had been present for weeks. Chest CT scan revealed a right upper lobe mass with suspected poststenotic pneumonia and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. Bronchoscopically there was an exophytic tumor growth with obstruction of the ostium, macroscopically a carcinoid was suspected. Processing of the biopsies taken from the tumor or from the enlarged lymph nodes initially did not provide a diagnosis despite sufficient sample collection. Despite changing the antibiotic, the poststenotic pneumonia persisted. The tumor being inoperable, rigid bronchoscopy was performed to remove the tumor with a cryoprobe and recanalization was achieved. By examining the cryobiopsies, the rare diagnosis of myxoid spindle cell lipoma as a tumor entity was made. The patient recovered from pneumonia.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a multisystem disease caused by dysfunction of motile cilia. It is characterized by chronic mucus retention of the upper and lower airways. This results in a destructive lung disease with the development of bronchiectasis. There are a very few evidence-based therapies for patients with PCD. Most treatment concepts are based on other respiratory diseases or expert opinion. This article is about the physiotherapy care of patients with PCD and provides an overview of recommendations from the current literature as well as many years of experience in the physiotherapy treatment of patients with PCD. Currently, no curative therapy for PCD exists. Symptomatic treatment with a focus on mucus management is relevant. This includes inhalation, mobilization of mucus, physical activity and the targeted use of medical aids for chest clearance as well as rehabilitation. Whenever possible, specialized therapists should provide guidance for physiotherapy.

A wide range of substances is currently available for the treatment of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The current recommendations for initial drug therapy are based on the patient's risk profile. For patients at high risk, an initial triple combination therapy with different substances including prostanoids is recommended.The aim of the prospective, single-arm, unblinded study was to clarify whether PAH patients on triple therapy benefit from switching from selexipag to intravenous treprostinil. The primary endpoint was the achievement of a "low-risk" status after 6 (12) months.27 PAH patients (45 (37; 61) years, 77.8% women) were included. At study entry they were assigned to low-risk (n=1), intermediate (n=12) or high-risk status (n=14). On average, 22 patients were followed for 8 (range 5-11) months. One patient was successfully transplanted after four months, another four patients died (in one case septic complications of unknown origin; in three cases progressive right heart failure). The primary endpoint (reaching "low-risk" status) was achieved in 12/21 (57.1%) patients (one further patient remained in "low-risk" status).These data indicate (despite the small number of patients) that even with established triple therapy, clinical improvement in individual patients is possible by switching from selexipag to intravenous treprostinil.

The present case report involves a young patient with hemoptysis for several months. A CT chest examination and bronchoscopy revealed the rare finding of squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea. Further diagnostics showed no evidence of lymph node or distant metastasis. Because of the length of the tumor, we performed a median sternotomy and tracheal resection, extending from subglottis to mid-trachea. Carcinoma of the trachea is a rare cause of hemoptysis but should be considered as a differential diagnosis and then presented to an appropriate center with expertise.

Aspiration pneumonia (AP) may present as gross aspiration of large gastric contents or as a consequence of silent aspiration of contaminated oropharyngeal secretions.AP due to silent aspiration is caused by dysphagia and, in some instances, impaired cough reflex. Factors favouring the development of pneumonia include advanced age as well as severe comorbidity and impaired functional status.Therefore, silent aspiration is a frequent etiology of community-acquired pneumonia in aged patients but also of nosocomial pneumonia. Recurrent pneumonia should always prompt the consideration of AP.Treatment of acute AP should include not only the use of antimicrobial agents but also chest physiotherapy and airway clearance techniques. In addition, all patients with silent aspiration and AP should be subject to an investigation of swallowing function and, in the presence of dysphagia, also receive treatment for this condition. This includes methods of restitution, compensation and adaptation of impaired swallowing function.

Background:  The introduction of monoclonal antibodies (biologics) has revolutionized the therapy of severe asthma. Even though there is a response in the majority of patients, the degree of response varies. To date criteria for assessment of response to biologics are not consistently defined.

Aim:  To define criteria for evaluation of response to biologics that are precise, simple and suitable for daily use in order to guide decision-making regarding continuation, switching or stopping of biological therapy.

Methods:  8 physicians with large experience in this indication, supported by a data-scientist, developed a consensus on criteria to evaluate response to biologics in patients with severe asthma.

Result:  We developed a combined score based on current literature, own experience and practicability. It uses the main criteria exacerbations, oral corticosteroid (OCS) therapy and asthma control (asthma control test, ACT). We defined thresholds for "good response", "response" and "insufficient response" rated with a score of "2", "1" and "0" respectively: annual exacerbations ("0 or reduction ≥ 75 %", "reduction 50-74 %", "reductio < 50 %"), daily OCS dose ("stopping or reduction ≥ 75 %", "reduction 50-74 %", "reduction < 50 %"), asthma control ("ACT increase ≥ 6 or ≥ 3 with result ≥ 20", "ACT increase 3-5 with result < 20", "ACT increase < 3"). Additional individual criteria like lung function and comorbidities may be important for evaluation of response. We propose 3, 6 and 12 months timepoint for assessment of tolerability and response. Using the combined score, we developed a scheme to guide the decision whether switching the biologic should be considered.

Conclusion:  The Biologic Asthma Response Score (BARS) serves as objective and simple tool to evaluate response to biologic therapy using the three main criteria exacerbations, OCS use and asthma control. A validation of the score was initiated.