CT-derived measurements of pulmonary blood volume in small vessels and the need for supplemental oxygen in COVID-19 patients.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, a portion of those affected have evolved toward acute hypoxic respiratory failure. Initially, this was hypothesized to result from acute lung injury leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In previous research, a novel quantitative CT post-processing technique was described to quantify the volume of blood contained within pulmonary blood vessels of a given size.

Assessment of Small Pulmonary Blood Vessels in COVID-19 Patients Using HRCT.

Rationale And Objectives: Mounting evidence supports the role of pulmonary hemodynamic alternations in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Previous studies have demonstrated that changes in pulmonary blood volumes measured on computed tomography (CT) are associated with histopathological markers of pulmonary vascular pruning, suggesting that quantitative CT analysis may eventually be useful in the assessment pulmonary vascular dysfunction more broadly.

Materials And Methods: Building upon previous work, automated quantitative CT measures of small blood vessel volume and pulmonary vascular density were developed.

Sputum induction for assessment of biomarkers in early respiratory drug development .

Objective: To study the success rate and reproducibility of sputum induction (SI) in healthy subjects (HS) and asthma patients (AP).

Materials And Methods: 130 HSs/APs were recruited for early-phase studies to evaluate sputum biomarkers. SI and sample processing were performed according to standard protocols.

Postextubation obstructive pseudomembranes: a case series and review of a rare complication after endotracheal intubation.

Endotracheal intubation obviously may be life-saving, but it may also lead to complications, including those related to damage of the airways. Superficial damage of the trachea at the site of the endotracheal cuff may trigger the formation of an obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane (OFTP). Shortly after extubation, this clot, consisting of fibrin, leucocytes, and necrotic epithelium, can cause stridor due to adherence to the tracheal wall and obstruction of the airway.