Association between pulmonary artery to aorta diameter ratio with pulmonary hypertension and outcomes in diffuse cystic lung diseases.

To investigate the importance of pulmonary vascular measurements on computed tomography (CT) in predicting pulmonary hypertension (PH) and worse outcomes in diffuse cystic lung diseases (DCLDs).We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with DCLDs. Patients underwent pulmonary function tests, a six-minute walk test (6MWT), chest CT, transthoracic echocardiography, and right heart catheterization.

Mechanisms of Exercise Limitation and Prevalence of Pulmonary Hypertension in Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis.

Background: Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) determines reduced exercise capacity. The speculated mechanisms of exercise impairment in PLCH are ventilatory and cardiocirculatory limitations, including pulmonary hypertension (PH).

Research Question: What are the mechanisms of exercise limitation, the exercise capacity, and the prevalence of dynamic hyperinflation (DH) and PH in PLCH?

Study Design And Methods: In a cross-sectional study, patients with PLCH underwent an incremental treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise test with an evaluation of DH, pulmonary function tests, and transthoracic echocardiography.

Pulmonary hypertension in lymphangioleiomyomatosis: prevalence, severity and the role of carbon monoxide diffusion capacity as a screening method.

Background: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is included within group 5 of the current PH classification (unclear multifactorial mechanisms). However, data regarding the occurrence of PH in LAM are scarce. The aims of the study were to describe the prevalence and characteristics of PH in a large cohort of LAM patients with different levels of severity, and to evaluate the role of echocardiography and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DL) as screening methods for PH in LAM.

Risk factors for death among critically ill elderly patients.

Background: The elderly population is increasing all over the world. The need of intensive care by the elderly is also increasing. There is a lack of studies investigating the risk factors for death among critically ill elderly patients.

[Hip fracture incidence in an urban area in Northeast Brazil].

Hip fractures involve high morbidity and mortality and extensive treatment costs and are thus considered an important public health issue. Hip fracture incidence varies greatly between countries and even between cities in the same region. This study aimed to determine hip fracture incidence in Fortaleza, Ceará State, Brazil.