Incidence of pulmonary embolism in patients with non-invasive respiratory support during COVID-19 outbreak.

While the incidence of thrombotic complications in critically ill patients is very high, in patients under non-invasive respiratory support (NIS) is still unknown. The specific incidence of thrombotic events in each of the clinical scenarios within the broad spectrum of severity of COVID-19, is not clearly established, and this has not allowed the implementation of thromboprophylaxis or anticoagulation for routine care in COVID-19. Patients admitted in a semi-critical unit treated initially with NIS, especially Continuous-Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), were included in the study.

Do Low Molecular Weight Agents Cause More Severe Asthma than High Molecular Weight Agents?

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyse whether patients with occupational asthma (OA) caused by low molecular weight (LMW) agents differed from patients with OA caused by high molecular weight (HMW) with regard to risk factors, asthma presentation and severity, and response to various diagnostic tests.

Methods: Seventy-eight patients with OA diagnosed by positive specific inhalation challenge (SIC) were included. Anthropometric characteristics, atopic status, occupation, latency periods, asthma severity according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) control classification, lung function tests and SIC results were analysed.

Inhalation challenge in the differential diagnosis of usual interstitial pneumonia.

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Diagnostic yield of specific inhalation challenge in hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Reliable methods are needed to diagnose hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The aim of the study was to establish the diagnostic yield of specific inhalation challenge (SIC) in patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. All patients with suspected hypersensitivity pneumonitis in whom SIC was performed (n=113) were included.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to isocyanates: lung function, clinical and radiological characteristics.

The objective of this present study was to describe the clinical-radiological and lung function characteristics of hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to exposure to isocyanates (HPI). Included for study were all those patients diagnosed with HPI (n = 5) from 1995-2010. In all cases, chest CT and complete lung function studies were done.