Selexipag treatment in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension in clinical practice, a case series.

Objective: To describe the efficacy and safety in all patients with systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension who started selexipag between 09-2016 and 06-2018 in two pulmonary arterial hypertension expert centers.

Methods: All patients with systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension diagnosed by right heart catheterization and treated with selexipag were included. Every 12 weeks, treatment effect was assessed by (1) the opinion of the expert team and (2) the abbreviated risk assessment, consisting of functional class, six-minute walking distance, and N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide level at baseline and during follow-up.

The Course of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Patients With Acromegaly During Treatment.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is common in active acromegaly and negatively influences quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. This prospective study with 3 predetermined timepoints and a standardized treatment protocol investigates changes in sleep parameters during the first 2.5 years of acromegaly treatment.

Extensive pulmonary sarcoid reaction in a patient with BMPR-2 associated idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a progressive life-threatening disease characterized by vascular remodeling. There is evidence that varied immune mechanism play an important role in progression of pulmonary hypertension.  We describe a case of a 35-year-old woman with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and a novel BMPR2 mutation, who underwent a successful lung transplantation.

The CareWell in Hospital program to improve the quality of care for frail elderly inpatients: results of a before-after study with focus on surgical patients.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate implementation of an innovative intervention designed to prevent complications and stimulate early rehabilitation among frail elderly inpatients.

Methods: The program was implemented in April 2011. A mixed-methods process evaluation and before-after study were performed.

Increasing evidence for gender differences in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among women is increasing and differences in both the management of COPD and the results of treatment between men and women have been noted. This article investigates the reasons for this increase in prevalence and the differences in natural history and COPD management between male and female patients. The main reason for the rise in prevalence of COPD in women is increased tobacco use.