Early outcomes of "low-risk" patients undergoing lung resection assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing: Single-institution experience.

Objective: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is currently recommended for all patients undergoing lung resection with either respiratory comorbidities or functional limitations. The main parameter evaluated is oxygen consumption at peak (VOpeak). Patients with VOpeak above 20 ml/kg/min are classified as low risk surgical candidates.

An EBC/Plasma miRNA Signature Discriminates Lung Adenocarcinomas From Pleural Mesothelioma and Healthy Controls.

Background: Despite significant improvement in screening programs for cancers of the respiratory district, especially in at-risk subjects, early disease detection is still a major issue. In this scenario, new molecular and non-invasive biomarkers are needed to improve early disease diagnosis.

Methods: We profiled the miRNome in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and plasma samples from fourteen patients affected by lung AdCa, nine healthy subjects.

Prophylactic continuous positive airway pressure after pulmonary lobectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Despite advances in perioperative care and surgical techniques, patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy are still at high risk for postoperative complications. Among interventions expected to reduce complications, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a discussed option. This trial aims to test the hypothesis whether prophylactic application of CPAP following pulmonary lobectomy can reduce postoperative complications.

Ten-year experience with endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration: single center results in mediastinal diagnostic and staging.

Background: Endobronchial ultrasonography with transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is recognized as an accurate and minimal invasive procedure for diagnosis and staging of lung cancer and lymph nodal malignancies. EBUS is recommended as the first choice procedure for mediastinal staging in lung cancer in international guidelines.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation was performed on single center experience with EBUS-TBNA in our thoracic surgery department in a 10-year time frame.

Argon and xenon ventilation during prolonged ex vivo lung perfusion.

Background: Evidence supports the use of ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) as a platform for active reconditioning before transplantation to increase the potential donor pool and to reduce the incidence of primary graft dysfunction. A promising reconditioning strategy is the administration of inhaled noble gases based on their organoprotective effects. Our aim was to validate a porcine warm ischemic lung injury model and investigate postconditioning with argon (Ar) or xenon (Xe) during prolonged EVLP.