Potential application of mesenchymal stromal cells as a new therapeutic approach in acute respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary fibrosis.

While the COVID-19 outbreak and its complications are still under investigation, post-inflammatory pulmonary fibrosis (PF) has already been described as a long-term sequela of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to SARS-CoV2 infection. However, therapeutical strategies for patients with ARDS and PF are still limited and do not significantly extend lifespan. So far, lung transplantation remains the only definitive treatment for end-stage PF.

Proposal for International Standardization of the Use of Lung Ultrasound for Patients With COVID-19: A Simple, Quantitative, Reproducible Method.

Growing evidence is showing the usefulness of lung ultrasound in patients with the 2019 new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has now spread in almost every country in the world. In this study, we share our experience and propose a standardized approach to optimize the use of lung ultrasound in patients with COVID-19.

Long-term management of patients with end-stage lung diseases.

Long-term management of end-stage lung disease differs from interstitial lung disease to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to cystic fibrosis to pulmonary vascular disease. The management includes pharmacological therapy that is disease specific such as antibiotic therapy for cystic fibrosis, antifibrotic drugs in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; long-acting beta-agonists, long-acting muscarinic antagonist, and inhaled corticosteroids in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and vasodilators in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Moreover, non-pharmacological therapy is essential in the treatment of these diseases, in particular, rehabilitation and supportive therapy, which are necessary in all end-stage lung diseases and specific intervention such as non-invasive ventilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis, surgical therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and airway clearance in cystic fibrosis.