Non-Answered Questions in Patients with Endobronchial Valve Placement for Lung Volume Reduction.

Endoscopic lung volume reduction is a minimally invasive procedure performed to reduce the space occupied by the emphysemas' lobes. This procedure has been demonstrated to be beneficial for patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and severe hyperinflation. The use of endobronchial valves is increasing, as well as the number of reports of adverse events.

Ventilatory inefficiency as a limiting factor for exercise in patients with COPD.

Background: Ventilatory inefficiency increases ventilatory demand; corresponds to an abnormal increase in the ratio of minute ventilation (V_dot(E)) to CO(2) production (V_dot(CO(2))); represents increased dead space, deregulation of respiratory control, and early lactic threshold; and is associated with expiratory flow limitation that enhances dynamic hyperinflation and may limit exercise capacity.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of ventilatory inefficiency over exercise capacity in COPD patients.

Methods: Prospective study of 35 COPD subjects with different levels of severity, in whom cardiopulmonary stress test was performed.

Nasolaryngoscopic validation of a set of clinical predictors of aspiration in a critical care setting.

Background: Aspiration is frequent in patients with acute neurologic disorders and swallowing dysfunction. Its incidence in stroke, as high as 51%, increases mortality by up to 3 times. Pneumonia, its main complication, further increases morbidity, mortality, and patient care costs.