A rapid shallow breathing index threshold of 85 best predicts extubation success in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Background: The rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) is used clinically to help predict a patient's likelihood of successful liberation from mechanical ventilation (MV). However, the traditional threshold (<105 breaths/min/L) may underperform in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We sought to determine the optimal RSBI threshold for COPD patients to improve the diagnostic accuracy for predicting successful ventilator liberation.

Evaluation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in lung cancer.

Purpose: There is an obvious need to diagnose lung cancer using novel noninvasive and sensitive biomarkers. In this regard, the aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare sputum matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) in relation to serum MMP-2 of lung cancer patients and other nonmalignant lung diseases in order to establish a new diagnostic and prognostic biomarker with a valid noninvasive technique.

Experimental Design: Group 1 included 32 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients and group 2 included 20 patients with benign pulmonary diseases.