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J Card Surg 2021 May 11. Epub 2021 May 11.

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiology Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, México.

Background: Unilateral abscence of pulmonary artery is a rare congenital heart disease. If these anomaly is unrecognized and treated the risk of pulmonary hypertension in the contralateral lung can be lethal for the patients.

Aims: To report the successful sequential hybrid-surgical approach of two cases of rescue of pulmonary branches only fed by ductus arteriosus. Read More

BMJ Open 2021 May 10;11(5):e045460. Epub 2021 May 10.

School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.

Introduction: Novel therapies for pulmonary hypertension (PH) have improved survival and slowed disease progression. However, patients still present with symptoms of exertional dyspnoea and fatigue, which impacts their ability to perform activities of daily living, reduces exercise tolerance and impairs their quality of life (QoL). Exercise training has shown to be safe and effective at enhancing QoL and physical function in PH patients, yet it remains an underused adjunct therapy. Read More

BMJ Open 2021 May 10;11(5):e044499. Epub 2021 May 10.

Department of Respiratory Diseases, Univ Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France.

Introduction: To date, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the cornerstone of obstructive sleep apnoea treatment. CPAP data describing residual sleep-disordered breathing events (ie, the CPAP-measured apnoea-hypopnoea indices (AHI-CPAP)) is difficult to interpret because it is an entirely different metric than the polysomnography (PSG) measured AHI gold standard (AHI-PSG). Moreover, manufacturer definitions for apnoea and hypopnoea are not only different from those recommended for PSG scoring, but also different between manufacturers. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2021 May 10;14(5). Epub 2021 May 10.

Hemoptysis and Pulmonary-Circulation Center, Eishinkai Kishiwada Rehabilitation Hospital, Kishiwada, Osaka, Japan.

A male patient in his 40s was transferred to our hospital for rehabilitation of ataxia after right cerebellar and brainstem infarction. After 3 weeks of conventional physical therapy, his activities of daily life successfully improved with an increase in the functional impedance measure from 101 to 124. However, he still fell short of gaining a higher level of balance function, which was necessary for his job as a standup forklift driver. Read More

Physiol Meas 2021 May 10. Epub 2021 May 10.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, CHINA.

Objective: Due to radiation exposures, not all patients with pneumonia would receive chest x-ray or CT measurements to confirm treatment effectiveness. The aim of the study was to examine the ability of using electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to evaluate the treatment effectiveness in such patient group.

Methods: A total of 35 consecutive patients with non-severe pneumonia was included in this prospective study. Read More

JMIR Res Protoc 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Centre for Health and Exercise Science Research, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Baptist UniversityKowloon Tong, Kowloon, HK.

Background: Recent studies revealed that most discharged patients with COVID-19 suffered ongoing symptoms months later. Rehabilitation interventions can help address the consequences of COVID-19. These include medically, physically, cognitively and psychologically related problems. Read More

COPD 2021 May 10:1-16. Epub 2021 May 10.

Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive but preventable and treatable disease and the third leading cause of death globally. Even though it is evident that physical activity (PA) relieves dyspnea, anxiety, fatigue, and increases quality of life and functional capacity, it is seldom implemented in daily life in people with COPD. The aim of this study was to identify barriers toward PA in people with COPD and to examine the role of FEV1 and smoking status in PA. Read More

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2021 May 10. Epub 2021 May 10.

Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.

Purpose: To determine the incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using a large national database and to identify corresponding independent risk factors.

Methods: The Humana administrative claims database was reviewed for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction from 2007 to 2017. Patient demographics, medical comorbidities, as well as concurrent procedures were recorded. Read More

Semin Dial 2021 May 10. Epub 2021 May 10.

Department of Critical Care, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile.

The COVID-19 pandemic significates an enormous number of patients with pneumonia that get complicated with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), some of them with refractory hypercapnia and hypoxemia that need mechanical ventilation (MV). Those patients who are not candidate to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), the extracorporeal removal of CO (ECCO R) can allow ultra protective MV to limit the transpulmonary pressures and avoid ventilatory induced lung injury (VILI). We report a first case of prolonged ECCO R support in 38 year male with severe COVID-19 pneumonia refractory to conventional support. Read More

Cardiovasc Diagn Ther 2021 Apr;11(2):435-446

Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China.

Background: Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 () has been recognized as a major player in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the study was to determine the association between polymorphisms of the gene and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in a Chinese population in Xinjiang.

Methods: In the case-control study, we genotyped three nucleotide polymorphisms (rs3200401, rs4102217, rs600231) of the gene using SNPscan typing assays (1,053 controls and 929 ACS patients). Read More

Crit Care Med 2021 May 10. Epub 2021 May 10.

Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands. NUTRIM School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands. CIRO+, Centre of Expertise for Chronic Organ Failure, Horn, The Netherlands. Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands. GROW School of Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands Department of rehabilitation, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands CARIM Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany.

Objectives: We performed a comprehensive health assessment in mechanically ventilated coronavirus disease 2019 survivors to assess the impact of respiratory and skeletal muscle injury sustained during ICU stay on physical performance at 3 months following hospital discharge.

Design: Preregistered prospective observational cohort study.

Setting: University hospital ICU. Read More

NeuroRehabilitation 2021 May 3. Epub 2021 May 3.

Department of Pain and Rehabilitation, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Background: Patients with neurological disorders can present the weakness of respiratory muscle and impaired cough function. Previous studies have shown that respiratory muscle strength training (RMT) is an effective method of improving the strength of respiratory muscle. The effects of RMT on cough function remain controversial. Read More

NeuroRehabilitation 2021 Apr 30. Epub 2021 Apr 30.

Seattle Children's Hospital and Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.

Background: Patients with cerebral palsy and other static encephalopathies (CP) are known to be at increased risk of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD). Few studies have reviewed whether intrathecal baclofen (ITB) can contribute to SRBD.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of SRBD in patients with CP receiving ITB by using nocturnal polysomnography (NPSG). Read More

J Med Case Rep 2021 May 10;15(1):231. Epub 2021 May 10.

UOC Pathophysiology and Respiratory Rehabilitation, Intensive Care Department, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy.

Background: Generally, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is suspected in young patients with pulmonary emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients often suffer from diagnostic gaps and are misdiagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), as AATD may present with nonspecific respiratory symptoms. It is never too late to suspect AATD, especially in a patient with an unusual medical history. Read More

Ann Palliat Med 2021 Apr;10(4):4959-4964

Department of Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer Center, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, China.

The incidence and prevalence of obesity is drastically increasing worldwide. Clinical surgeons treating cancer patients often encounter obese patients. However, cases of surgical lung cancer patients with morbid obesity and poor pulmonary function undergoing lobectomy have not been reported. Read More

J Thromb Thrombolysis 2021 May 8. Epub 2021 May 8.

Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, First Avenue, 16th Street, New York City, NY, 10003, USA.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with abnormal hemostasis, autopsy evidence of systemic microthrombosis, and a high prevalence of venous thromboembolic disease. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has been used in patients with critically ill COVID-19 with high clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism (PE). A retrospective cohort study of 6095 hospitalized COVID-19 patients at 5 acute care hospitals in New York was conducted. Read More

Pediatr Res 2021 May 8. Epub 2021 May 8.

Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.

Background: Late and moderate prematurity may have an impact on pulmonary function during childhood. The present study aimed to investigate lung mechanics in school-age children born moderate-to-late preterm (MLPT).

Methods: Children aged 5-10 years were enrolled in this case-control study. Read More

Respiration 2021 May 7:1-7. Epub 2021 May 7.

Institute of Pneumology at the University of Cologne, Clinic of Pneumology and Allergology, Bethanien Hospital, Solingen, Germany.

At the 2020 "Luftschlösser" (castles in the air) conference, experts from a wide range of pneumological fields discussed technical innovations in pneumology, which can be seen in many different areas of the field, including e-health, screening, diagnostics, and therapy. They contribute to substantial advancements ranging from the innovative use of diagnostic tools to novel treatments for chronic lung diseases. Artificial intelligence enables broader screening, which can be expected to have beneficial effects on disease progression and overall prognosis. Read More

Heart Lung Circ 2021 May 5. Epub 2021 May 5.

The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address:

Adv Respir Med 2021 ;89(2):124-134

Department of Pulmonology and Allergology, University Hospital in Krak ów, Kraków, Poland.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the greatest clinical challenges of the last decades. Clinical factors associated with severity of the disease remain unclear. The aim of the study was to characterize Polish patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 and to evaluate potential prognostic factors of severe course of the disease. Read More

Chest 2021 May;159(5):1696-1698

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Rehabilitation in Internal Disorders, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, and the Clinical Department of Respiratory Diseases, UZ Leuven, BREATHE department CHROMETA, Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address:

J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2021 May 5. Epub 2021 May 5.

Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects millions worldwide. Medication management is the current mainstay of treatment; however, there is evidence to suggest additional benefit with lifestyle changes, particularly with increased physical activity.

Objective: Our systematic review aims to discover and evaluate the effects of physical activity on asthma outcomes. Read More

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2021 May 8. Epub 2021 May 8.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan.

Objectives: Impact of pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) on quality of life (QOL) is not widely reported. We investigated QOL and lung function after P/D.

Methods: A single-centre, retrospective cohort study was performed among patients who underwent P/D for malignant mesothelioma between June 2014 and June 2018 at Hyogo College of Medicine. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021 May 7;5:CD010876. Epub 2021 May 7.

REHPA, The Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Odense University Hospital, Nyborg, Denmark.

Background: The impact of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) following heart valve surgery is uncertain. We conducted an update of this systematic review and a meta-analysis to assess randomised controlled trial evidence for the use of exercise-based CR following heart valve surgery.

Objectives: To assess the benefits and harms of exercise-based CR compared with no exercise training in adults following heart valve surgery or repair, including both percutaneous and surgical procedures. Read More

COPD 2021 May 7:1-12. Epub 2021 May 7.

Laboratory of Research in Respiratory Physiotherapy (LFIP), Department of Physiotherapy, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, Brazil.

Muscle dysfunction is one of the main features in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Handgrip strength (HS) has been used as a representation of general muscle strength in various populations, and a few studies found correlation between HS and other measures of upper and lower limbs' muscle strength in the general population, although this was not yet studied in depth in COPD. The aims of this study were to verify if HS is cross-sectionally well correlated with upper and lower limbs' muscle strength in individuals with COPD, and to identify a new cutoff for handgrip weakness in this population. Read More

MMW Fortschr Med 2021 05;163(9):40-47

Schön Klinik Berchtesgadener Land, Schönau am Königssee, Deutschland.

Int J Rehabil Res 2021 Jun;44(2):159-165

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) features associated tools, the Brief and Comprehensive ICF Core Sets. These are designed to be universally applicable, but have limited evidence of content validity (i.e. Read More

J Spinal Cord Med 2021 May 7:1-8. Epub 2021 May 7.

Clinic for Spinal Cord Injuries, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

To investigate the baseline knowledge of autonomic functions and specifically the International Standards to document remaining Autonomic Function after Spinal Cord Injury (ISAFSCI) among medical students and to present the effective methods in learning of the ISAFSCI Interventional training session A tertiary hospital. 37 medical students Before training, a self-rating questionnaire including 24 concepts extracted from the ISAFSCI was administrated to the students. Then students were divided into two groups. Read More

Am J Med Genet A 2021 May 7. Epub 2021 May 7.

Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, School of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ihsan Dogramaci Children's Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

The aims of the study were to evaluate the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) by using polysomnography (PSG) in children with MPS IVA and MPS VI who underwent enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and to analyze the effect on SDB of having upper airway surgery, pulmonary functions, and exercise capacity. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with MPS IVA (n:17) and MPS VI (n:11) aged under 19 years who underwent polysomnography. Descriptive and nonparametric analyses were performed for demographic, PSG, pulmonary function and exercise capacity variables. Read More

Tanaffos 2020 Dec;19(4):392-400

Proteomics Research Center, Department of Biostatistics, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: The risk of falling in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is higher than healthy people, imposing a great financial burden on patients due to clinical diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to compare static balance between two groups of healthy people and COPD patients, based on cognitive tasks and vision tests, using linear and non-linear analyses.

Materials And Methods: A total of 15 patients with COPD and 14 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals were recruited in this study. Read More