Higher mortality and intubation rate in COVID-19 patients treated with noninvasive ventilation compared with high-flow oxygen or CPAP.

The effectiveness of noninvasive respiratory support in severe COVID-19 patients is still controversial. We aimed to compare the outcome of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and hypoxemic respiratory failure treated with high-flow oxygen administered via nasal cannula (HFNC), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or noninvasive ventilation (NIV), initiated outside the intensive care unit (ICU) in 10 university hospitals in Catalonia, Spain. We recruited 367 consecutive patients aged ≥ 18 years who were treated with HFNC (155, 42.

Cluster Analysis of Home Mechanical Ventilation in COPD Patients: A Picture of the Real World and Its Impact on Mortality.

Background: Treatment of chronic hypercapnic failure in COPD patients with home noninvasive ventilation (HNIV) remains unclear.

Aim: To create a curated cohort of all COPD patients on HNIV in Catalonia, perform a cluster analysis, and evaluate mortality evolution.

Study Design And Methods: This study was a multicenter, observational study including all COPD patients on HNIV on 1st January of 2018.

Diagnostic Accuracy of CYFRA21-1 in the Differential Diagnosis of Pleural Effusions.

Background/aim: Approximately 20% of pleural effusions are associated with cancer; about 50% require invasive procedures to perform diagnosis. Determination of the concentration of soluble cytokeratin 19-fragments (CYFRA21-1) may help identify patients with malignant effusions. However, pathologies other than cancer can increase its concentration.

Evaluation of two strategies for the interpretation of tumour markers in pleural effusions.

Background: Pleural effusions present a diagnostic challenge. Approximately 20% are associated with cancer and some 50% require invasive procedures to perform diagnosis. Determination of tumour markers may help to identify patients with malignant effusions.

Early noninvasive ventilation averts extubation failure in patients at risk: a randomized trial.

Rationale: Respiratory failure after extubation and reintubation is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of noninvasive ventilation in averting respiratory failure after extubation in patients at increased risk.

Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in 162 mechanically ventilated patients who tolerated a spontaneous breathing trial after recovery from the acute episode but had increased risk for respiratory failure after extubation.

Noninvasive ventilation after intubation and mechanical ventilation.

Patients with chronic airflow obstruction who are difficult to wean from mechanical ventilation are at increased risk of intubation-associated complications and mortality because of prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation may revert most of the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with weaning failure in these patients. Several randomized controlled trials have shown that use of noninvasive ventilation to achieve earlier extubation in difficult-to-wean patients or in patients who develop respiratory failure after apparently successful extubation can result in reduced periods of endotracheal intubation and complication rates and improved survival.

The association between Crohn disease and the myelodysplastic syndromes. Report of 3 cases and review of the literature.

We report 3 patients who developed Crohn disease and myelodysplastic syndrome concurrently and review 9 previously reported cases of this association. Demographic and clinical features, treatment, and outcome are presented from previous reports and our own 3 cases. Of the 12 patients, 8 were men, and the mean age was 68.