CPAP delivered via a helmet interface in lightly sedated patients with moderate to severe ARDS: predictors of success outside the ICU.

Objective: This study aimed to describe the outcomes and explore predictors of intubation and mortality in patients with ARDS due to COVID-19 treated with CPAP delivered via a helmet interface and light sedation.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study involving patients with COVID-19-related ARDS who received CPAP using a helmet developed in Brazil (ELMO™), associated with a light sedation protocol in a pulmonology ward. Demographic, clinical, imaging, and laboratory data, as well as the duration and response to the ELMO-CPAP sessions, were analyzed.

Persistence of symptoms and lung function in mild cases of COVID-19 six months after infection: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To describe persistent symptoms and lung function in mild cases of COVID-19 six months after infection.

Methods: Data collection was performed through a semi-structured questionnaire containing information on the participants' demographic and anthropometric data, the disease in the acute phase, and persistent symptoms six months after COVID-19 using spirometry and manovacuometry.

Results: A total of 136 participants were evaluated, of whom 64% were male, with a mean age of 38.

Influence of angiotensin receptor and converting enzyme blockers therapy in the respiratory outcome of COVID-19 hospitalized patients.

Objectives: COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has spread around the world since 2019. In severe cases, COVID-19 can lead to hospitalization and death. Systemic arterial hypertension and other comorbidities are associated with serious COVID-19 infection.

The Effect of a Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program on Respiratory Function and Functional Capacity on Patients After 1 Month to Liver Transplantation.

Background: Physical exercise is prescribed in populations with chronic diseases, but data are scarce in the liver transplantation (LT) setting.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in forced expiratory volume in the first second, forced vital capacity, maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, 6-minute walking test (6MWT), 6-minute step test (6MST), Duke Activity Status Index, VO (mL/kg/min), and health-related quality of life (in patients submitted to a rehabilitation program, comprising physical exercise training, breathing techniques, and educational sessions after LT.

Methods: This cohort study enrolled patients to an 8-week period of thrice weekly comprehensive supervised rehabilitation program after 1 month of LT.

Effects of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Systemic Inflammation and Exercise Capacity in Bronchiectasis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition that is becoming a global health concern.

Objective: To examine the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on systemic inflammation, exercise capacity, and quality of life in participants with bronchiectasis.

Methods: Participants were randomized to receive PR (outpatient, three weekly sessions for 3 months) or control intervention (usual care + airway clearance therapy + breathing exercises).

ELMO, a new helmet interface for CPAP to treat COVID-19-related acute hypoxemic respiratory failure outside the ICU: a feasibility study.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of using a new helmet interface for CPAP, designated ELMO, to treat COVID-19-related acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) outside the ICU.

Methods: This was a proof-of-concept study involving patients with moderate to severe AHRF secondary to COVID-19 admitted to the general ward of a public hospital. The intervention consisted of applying CPAP via the ELMO interface integrated with oxygen and compressed air flow meters (30 L/min each) and a PEEP valve (CPAP levels = 8-10 cmH2O), forming the ELMOcpap system.

Religiosity and Religious Coping in Patients with COPD: A Cross-Sectional Comparison Between Brazil and the Netherlands and Associations with Physical and Psychological Health.

This study aimed to compare religiosity and religious coping (RC) between Brazilian and Dutch patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to examine associations with physical and psychological health. Religiosity, RC, and physical and psychological health were cross-sectionally assessed in 161 patients with COPD (74 from Brazil and 87 from the Netherlands). Brazilian participants showed the greatest religiosity (p < 0.

Assessment of functional status by the Duke Activity Status Index in stable bronchiectasis.

Introduction: Bronchiectasis is a growing global health problem.

Objective And Methods: To evaluate the functional status of stable bronchiectasis patients recruited from a terciary hospital in Fortaleza, Brazil.The patients were submitted to spirometry, six minute walking test (6MWT), step test (6MST),   measurement of fibrinogen,E-FACED scores(incorporates FEV1 ,age,colonisation by Pseudomonas,radiological extension, dyspnoea and exarcebation) and Duke Activity Status Index(DASI) test.

Isolation of and risk factors for airway infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

Objective: To identify microorganisms in sputum samples of patients with stable non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and to determine risk factors related to the isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) in those patients.

Methods: Consecutive patients were recruited from a tertiary hospital outpatient clinic in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil. The patients were submitted to spirometry, six-minute walk test, HRCT, and sputum collection.

Acute effects of noninvasive ventilation on sleep physiology in patients with moderate to severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a pilot study.

Objective/background: Changes in sleep architecture in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can be explained by a combination of physiological changes in breathing during sleep, with impairment of respiratory mechanics and reduction of arterial oxygenation. This study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) - compared to spontaneous breathing - on sleep latency and stages, and on the occurrence of sleep-related respiratory events, nocturnal hypoxemia, and changes in heart rate (HR) in patients with moderate to severe stable COPD.

Patients/methods: Patients completed two polysomnography (PSG) studies: one during spontaneous breathing and one while receiving NIV in bilevel mode and with backup respiratory rate (RR.

Assessment of religious coping in patients with COPD.

Objective: To compare religious coping (RC) in patients with COPD and healthy individuals, as well as to determine whether RC is associated with demographic characteristics, quality of life, depression, and disease severity in the patients with COPD.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between 2014 and 2016, involving outpatients with moderate to severe COPD seen at one of two hospitals in Fortaleza, Brazil, as well as gender- and age-matched healthy controls. The Brief RCOPE scale assessed RC in all of the participants.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN FATIGUE AND EXERCISE CAPACITY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE AWAITING LIVER TRANSPLANTATION.

Background: Fatigue is highly prevalent in end stage liver disease, the studies about its association with exercise capacity in cirrhotic patients before liver are scarse.

Objective: In this study, we evaluated fatigue in 95 in end stage liver disease patients awaiting transplantation, compared to healthy volunteers, and tested the association between exercise capacity and fatigue.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of patients with chronic liver disease treated at a referral center in Fortaleza, Brazil.

Short-term effects of non-invasive ventilation on cerebral blood flow and cognitive function in COPD.

Objectives: Investigate the acute effects of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and on cognitive functions in COPD.

Methods: Nine non-hypercapnic stable COPD and twelve healthy controls were enrolled. CBF (transcranial Doppler), cognitive tests and cardiorespiratory response were performed at baseline, during one hour of NIV and after 30 min.

Exercise Capacity and Respiratory Profile in Patients after Orthopedic Liver Transplantation: a Follow-up Study.

Introduction: We sought to describe: 1) The influence of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) on exercise capacity, pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength after surgery, 2) The relationship between exercise capacity and symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Material And Methods: This is a prospective follow up study conducted with patients submitted to OLT. All patients were assessed before and 1 month after surgery through measurements: six minute walk test (6MWT), 6 min step test (6MST) and HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale).

Exercise Capacity Impairment Can Predict Postoperative Pulmonary Complications after Liver Transplantation.

Background: Postoperative respiratory complications (PRCs) are common after liver transplantation (LT) and contribute significantly to the related morbidity and mortality.

Objective: The aim of this paper was to determine the incidence of PRCs after LT and the value of simple exercise capacity measures as independent predictors of PRCs.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of consecutive adults submitted to LT at a University Hospital in Fortaleza Brazil from March 2013 to March 2015.

Depressive symptoms, quality of sleep, and disease control in women with asthma.

Purpose: A large number of asthmatic patients, particularly females, present inadequate disease control. Depressive symptoms are reportedly common in asthma and have been related to poor disease control, but the mechanism of this association is still unclear. Poor quality sleep, frequently observed in asthmatics, is also a manifestation of depression and has been related to uncontrolled asthma.

Patients with severe accidental tetanus admitted to an intensive care unit in Northeastern Brazil: clinical-epidemiological profile and risk factors for mortality.

Introduction: Tetanus, an acute infectious disease, is highly prevalent worldwide, especially in developing countries. Due to respiratory failure and hemodynamic instability associated with dysautonomia, severe cases require intensive care, but little has been published regarding the management in the Intensive Care Unit.

Objective: To draw a 10-year clinical-epidemiological profile of Intensive Care Unit patients with severe tetanus, observe their evolution in the Intensive Care Unit and identify risk factors for mortality.

CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS, OUTCOMES AND RISK FACTORS FOR DEATH AMONG CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS WITH HIV-RELATED ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY.

Background: The aim of this study is to describe clinical characteristics, outcomes and risk factors for death among patients with HIV-related acute kidney injury (AKI) admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted with HIV-infected AKI patients admitted to the ICU of an infectious diseases hospital in Fortaleza, Brazil. All the patients with confirmed diagnosis of HIV and AKI admitted from January 2004 to December 2011 were included.

Sponsored multicentric clinical research conducted in Brazil in the respiratory area - losses and gains.

Objective: To evaluate the sponsored centers for clinical trial in the respiratory care setting in Brazil: profile; logistics and structure.

Methods: Principal investigators (29) and subinvestigators (30) of 39 research centers completed the questionnaires that addressed personal identification and training of researchers, the centers' facilities and advantages and/or disadvantages of performing sponsored trials.

Results: 75.

Risk factors for intensive care unit admission in patients with severe leptospirosis: a comparative study according to patients' severity.

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate predictive factors for intensive care unit (ICU) admission among patients with severe leptospirosis.

Methods: This is a retrospective study with all patients with severe leptospirosis admitted to a tertiary hospital. Patients were divided in ICU and ward groups.

The impact of lung cancer resection surgery on fibrinogen and C-reactive protein and their relationship with patients outcomes: A prospective follow up study.

Background: Major thoracic surgery is characterized by release of inflammatory markers.The objective of this study was to assess the preoperative and postoperative systemic inflammatory markers of patients undergoing lung cancer resection.

Methods: This is a prospective follow up study conducted with 48 patients submitted to lung cancer resection.