Association between hypogonadism and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction And Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently coexists with other comorbidities, including hypogonadism. However, the association between COPD severity and hypogonadism remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate this association and compare the clinical characteristics of hypogonadal and eugonadal COPD patients.

A novel presentation of diaphragmatic flutter in a patient with obstructive sleep apnea and recurrent cerebellar hemangioblastoma.

Unlabelled: We report a unique case of diaphragmatic flutter in a patient with obstructive sleep apnea who had no respiratory symptoms related to flutter and a history of recurrent cerebellar hemangioblastoma. The flutter was detected during a routine follow-up monitoring through the built-in software of the positive airway pressure device; the flow and pressure curves showed abnormal and curious oscillations. The ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis and ruled out other causes of abnormal diaphragmatic movements.

Epidemiology of Tracheostomized Adult Patients Admitted to Specialized Weaning Centers After Acute COVID-19.

Background: Epidemiological data on patients with COVID-19 referred to specialized weaning centers (SWCs) are sparse, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Our aim was to describe clinical features, epidemiology, and outcomes of subjects admitted to SWCs in Argentina.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, multi-center, observational study between July 2020-December 2021 in 12 SWCs.

Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a frequent complication in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is unclear that the extent to which the traditional risk stratifying scores for PE are accurate in this population.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of adult patients with COPD and suspected PE included in an Institutional Registry of Thromboembolic Disease at a tertiary teaching hospital in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

[Pulmonary restriction secondary to cutaneous sclerosis caused by chronic graft versus host disease: Case Report].

Chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a major complication of the allogeneic stem cell transplant. One of most frequent manifestations of GVHD is the cutaneous compromise with the sclerodermatous variety being the most severe. We considered that the restrictive respiratory compromise and its evolution are not well characterized.

What does end stage in neuromuscular diseases mean? Key approach-based transitions.

Purpose Of Review: To revise the definition of end stage in the setting of neuromuscular disease (NMD), to understand the implications for the patient, family and healthcare team, and to address the obstacles involved in the lack of definition.

Recent Findings: Unlike several conditions such as cancer, kidney or liver disease, the literature reveals no clear definition or categorization for NMD. Many articles mention end stage without defining it.

Changing trends in the management of end-stage neuromuscular respiratory muscle failure: recommendations of an international consensus.

Objective: Respiratory management of patients with end-stage respiratory muscle failure of neuromuscular disease has evolved from no treatment and inevitable respiratory failure to the use of up to continuous noninvasive intermittent positive pressure ventilatory support (CNVS) to avert respiratory failure and to permit the extubation of "unweanable" patients without tracheostomy. An international panel experienced in CNVS was charged by the 69th Congress of the Mexican Society of Pulmonologists and Thoracic Surgeons to analyze changing respiratory management trends and to make recommendations.

Design: Neuromuscular disease respiratory consensuses and reviews were identified from PubMed.

Management of dyspnea in advanced motor neuron diseases.

Purpose Of Review: Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neuron disease (ALS/MND) invariably develop respiratory muscle weakness and most die from pulmonary complications. Little evidence is available that identifies optimal management approaches for caring for the dying patient. This review discusses the state of the art on dyspnea in advanced ALS/MND and its treatment.

Nutritional assessment of patients with neuromuscular diseases.

Objective: To study the nutritional status of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Design: A total of 34 Duchenne muscular dystrophy and seven amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients were studied. Body mass index, patient's body weight for zero muscle mass as a percentage of the theoretical weight for zero muscle mass, and creatinine-height index were calculated.

Peak flow and peak cough flow in the evaluation of expiratory muscle weakness and bulbar impairment in patients with neuromuscular disease.

Objective: To study the expiratory muscle force and the ability to cough estimated by the peak expiratory flow and peak cough flow in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Design: A total of 27 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and 52 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy were studied. From the group of 144 normal subjects of this laboratory, we selected 38 for comparison.