The relation of lactate level and carbon dioxide pressure discrepancies between transcutaneous and arterial measurements.

Introduction: Partial carbondioxide pressure of the arterial blood (PaCO2) is used to evaluate alveolar ventilation. Transcutaneous carbon dioxide pressure (TcCO2) monitoring has been developed as a non-invasive (NIV) alternative to arterial blood gas analysis (ABG). Studies have shown that decreased tissue perfusion leads to increased carbondioxide (CO2).

Agreement Between Transthoracic Echocardiography and Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography for Detection of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Pulmonary Embolism.

Background: Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) is the main determinant of mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). Thus, guidelines recommend the assessment of RVD with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) among these patients. In this study, we investigated the agreement between TTE and CTPA for the detection of RVD.

Immature platelet fraction as a systemic inflammation marker in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Introduction: Recently, there has been an increasing interest to find a simple, low cost, widely available biomarker for outcome predictors in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: Absolute immature platelet count (AIPC), the percentage of AIPC to the total platelet count (immature platelet fraction [IPF%]), symptoms, spirometry results, age-dyspne-airflow obstruction index, and C-reactive protein tests of COPD patients and control group were recorded. Neutrophil/lymphocyte, monocyte/lymphocyte, and platelet/lymphocyte ratios and Charlson comorbidity index scores were calculated.

Importance of mediastinal granulomatous/sarcoid-like lymphadenopathy in extrathoracic malignancies.

Background: In patients with extrathoracic malignancies (ETM), granulomatous lymph adenopathy called sarcoid-like reactions (SLR) can be seen in the regional or draining lymph nodes. We hypothesized that SLR may be a sign of imminent metastasis and investigated the clinical course and rate of recurrence in patients with ETM and granulomatous mediastinal lymphadenopathy (MLN).

Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we reviewed the medical files of patients with known ETM and who underwent EBUS-TBNA for initial staging or detection of recurrence from 2011 to 2023.

Intercostal Muscle Function During Noninvasive Ventilation and Acute Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure.

Background: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is a widely used and well-established treatment modality for respiratory failure. In patients with increased respiratory work of breathing, accessory muscles are commonly activated along with the diaphragm. Whereas diaphragm ultrasound has been utilized to assess outcomes of mechanical ventilation, the data on intercostal muscle ultrasound remain limited.

IS FLEXIBLE BRONCHOSCOPY A SAFE PROCEDURE FOR CRITICAL CARE PATIENTS WITH RESPIRATORY FAILURE?

Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) plays an important role in critical care patients. But, critical care patients with respiratory failure are at an increased risk of developing complications. Considering the developments in intensive care unit care in recent years, we aimed to evaluate the use of FB in these patients.

Does anticoagulation in combination with immunosuppressive therapy prevent recurrent thrombosis in Behçet's disease?

Vascular involvement in Behçet's disease (BD) occurs in up to 50% of patients. The main mechanism of thrombosis is inflammation. Thus, immunosuppressants (IS) are the mainstay of therapy, and adding anticoagulation (AC) is controversial.

The role of serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid chitotriosidase activity on diagnosis, disease characteristics and prognosis of sarcoidosis.

Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease with an unpredictable clinical course. Chitotriosidase is a chitinase mainly expressed by activated macrophages. Increased chitotriosidase activity has been reported in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of sarcoidosis patients compared to healthy controls.

Recovery from Respiratory Failure in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause hypoxic respiratory failure; long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) duration is unknown.

Material And Methods: The aim was to investigate which patients would need LTOT after COVID-19 pneumonia. This single-center, prospective study was conducted at the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chest Diseases, between May 2021 and December 2021.

[Prognosis of lung cancer patients followed in the intensive care unit: A cross-sectional study].

Abstract: Prognosis of lung cancer patients followed in the intensive care unit: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Lung cancer is the most common solid organ malignancy requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. For many years, lung cancer patients were not considered in the priority patient category for admission to ICU because of their high mortality rate and poor response to therapy. Considering the developments in treatment modalities, we aimed to reevaluate the prognosis of patients with lung cancer in the ICU.

A new device for bronchoscopy for better protection.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has not been precisely known in bronchoscopy procedures. We have designed a cabinet device called Ankara University Bronchoscopy Cabinet (Aubrocab®) to protect healthcare. We aimed to evaluate preventing effect of Aubrocab® on aerosol spreading by measuring the particles in the bronchoscopy suite.

Evaluation of lung cancer biomarkers profile for the decision of targeted therapy in EBUS-TBNA cytological samples.

Background: Guidelines recommend performing biomarker tests for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), BRAF and ROS proto-oncogene-1(ROS1) genes and protein expression of programmed death ligand-1(PD-L1) in patients with non-small lung cell carcinoma (NSCLC). Studies reported that endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) can provide sufficient material for cancer biomarker analyses, but there are still concerns about the subject.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to assess the adequacy of EBUS-TBNA for testing lung cancer biomarkers.

Can diaphragm excursion predict prognosis in patients with severe pneumonia?

Introduction: Although thorax ultrasound has been used to diagnose pneumonia in recent years, the role of ultrasonic diaphragm evaluation in the prognosis of pneumonia is unknown. This study aimed to assess the impact of diaphragmatic excursion (Dex) measured by ultrasound on the prognosis of severe pneumonia in critical care patients.

Materials And Methods: We prospectively recruited patients with severe pneumonia who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) between January 2019 and July 2021.

Is endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) reliable and safe procedure in geriatric patients?

Background: Even though studies have indicated the usefulness and safety of endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), elderly patient data are limited due to the small sample sizes.

Aim: We aimed to evaluate usage and safety of EBUS-TBNA in elderly population.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study was conducted with patients who underwent an EBUS-TBNA procedure between September 2011 and December 2019.

[The distribution of microorganisms and antibiotic resistance profile in pulmonary critical care unit patients: A single-centre study].

Introduction: The patients in the intensive care unit have a higher risk of infections because of the poor general condition of these patients and the frequent application of invasive procedures with longer hospitalization length. Also, this group of patients tend to have resistant infections due to empirically widespread and uncontrolled use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Hence, data are needed to determine appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy in intensive care patients.

Successful treatment of COVID-19 infection in a patient with tracheostomy.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been demonstrated to be the cause of emerging atypical pneumonia. In patients with tracheostomy, coronavirus hypothetically coexists with well-known bacterial agents. A 61-year-old male patient with tracheostomy was admitted to the hospital with dyspnea, fever and increased tracheal secretions.

Prone positioning in non-intubated patients with COVID-19.

Prone positioning is a well-known supportive maneuver to improve oxygenation for patients with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Although this technique is usually performed to sedated patients on invasive mechanical ventilation, it has been used in non-intubated patients frequently during the coronavirus diseases-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Favorable outcomes have been reported mainly in combining the prone positioning with high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) or non-invasive ventilation (NIV).

High flow nasal cannula in COVID-19: a literature review.

In recent years, high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a respiratory support system that has become prominent in the treatment of respiratory failure. HFNC provides higher concentration and flow of oxygen, resulting in decreasing anatomic dead space by preventing rebreathing and ensure positive end-expiratory. However, in COVID-19, the usage of HFNC is much controversial due to concerns about the benefits and risk of aerosol-dispersion.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in Non-Apneic Asthma: A Clinical Review of Current Evidence.

The use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in asthma has been a point of debate over the past several years. Various studies, including those on animals and humans have attempted to understand the role and pathophysiology of CPAP in patients with either well controlled or poorly controlled asthma. The aim of this manuscript is to review the currently available literature on the physiologic and clinical effects of CPAP in animal models of asthma and on humans with stable asthma.

The effects of home noninvasive ventilation on the quality of life and physiological parameters of patients with chronic respiratory failure.

Introduction: Home noninvasive mechanical ventilation (HNIV) in patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF) may improve the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and reduce hospitalizations.

Objective: To determine the effects of HNIV on HRQoL, sleep quality and hospitalization rates in restrictive thoracic diseases (RTD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with CHRF.

Methods: In this prospective, single center study patients divided into two groups; the COPD and the RTD groups.

High serum YKL-40 level is associated with poor prognosis in patients with lung cancer.

Introduction: YKL-40 is a glycoprotein that plays role in inflammation and malignant processes. High serum YKL-40 levels are associated with short survive in cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is another reason to increase its' level. However, limited knowledges are known in YKL-40 along with lung cancer and COPD.

The diagnostic role of pentraxin-3 in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusions.

Background/aim: Discrimination of pleural effusion etiology is not always easy in clinical practice. Pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) is a new acute- phase protein. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PTX-3 in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusions.