Pathophysiological profile of non-ventilated lung injury in healthy female pigs undergoing mechanical ventilation.

Background: Lung regions excluded from mechanical insufflation are traditionally assumed to be spared from ventilation-associated lung injury. However, preliminary data showed activation of potential mechanisms of injury within these non-ventilated regions (e.g.

Pathophysiology and Clinical Meaning of Ventilation-Perfusion Mismatch in the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains an important clinical challenge with a mortality rate of 35-45%. It is being increasingly demonstrated that the improvement of outcomes requires a tailored, individualized approach to therapy, guided by a detailed understanding of each patient's pathophysiology. In patients with ARDS, disturbances in the physiological matching of alveolar ventilation (V) and pulmonary perfusion (Q) (/ mismatch) are a hallmark derangement.

Inhaled CO vs. Hypercapnia Obtained by Low Tidal Volume or Instrumental Dead Space in Unilateral Pulmonary Artery Ligation: Any Difference for Lung Protection?

Background: Unilateral ligation of the pulmonary artery (UPAL) induces bilateral lung injury in pigs undergoing controlled mechanical ventilation. Possible mechanisms include redistribution of ventilation toward the non-ligated lung and hypoperfusion of the ligated lung. The addition of 5% CO to the inspiratory gas (FiCO) prevents the injury, but it is not clear whether lung protection is a direct effect of CO inhalation or it is mediated by plasmatic hypercapnia.

A study of the effect of proinflammatory cytokines on the epithelial cells of smokers, with or without COPD.

Introduction: Cigarette smoke is the main cause of inflammation in COPD. The mechanisms that differentiate smokers who develop COPD are diverse. In this study, we analyzed the presence of cytokines in the respiratory secretions of smokers with or without COPD and the secretory properties of the differentiated bronchial epithelium obtained from the individuals themselves after exposure to tobacco smoke.