Surfactant protein-B polymorphisms and mortality in the acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Objective: To determine whether polymorphisms of the surfactant protein B gene may be associated with increased mortality in patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Design: A prospective cohort study.

Setting: Four adult intensive care units at a tertiary academic medical center.

Urinary 8-isoprostane and 8-OHdG concentrations in boilermakers with welding exposure.

Objective: To investigate the association of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with DNA damage and oxidative stress in boilermakers exposed to welding fumes.

Methods: Forty-one workers were monitored over 24 hours during which baseline, postshift, bedtime, and next morning measurements were collected.

Biomarker evidence of myocardial cell injury is associated with mortality in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Objective: Although a number of studies have reported elevated levels of markers of myocardial necrosis among critically ill patients, the association between these markers and outcome remains poorly studied in patients with lung injury. We investigated the association of elevated troponin and creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme levels with mortality and organ failure in subjects with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Design: Retrospective study.

pH increase observed in exhaled breath condensate from welding fume exposure.

Objectives: We sought to investigate changes in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH in healthy workers exposed to welding fumes.

Methods: Fourteen exposed participants (median age 39 years, 5 smokers) and 8 nonexposed controls (median age 44 years, 1 smoker) were monitored at an apprentice welding school. Exposure to fine particulate matter less than 2.

Clinical predictors of and mortality in acute respiratory distress syndrome: potential role of red cell transfusion.

Objective: Clinical predictors for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have been studied in few prospective studies. Although transfusions are common in the intensive care unit, the role of submassive transfusion in non-trauma-related ARDS has not been studied. We describe here the clinical predictors of ARDS risk and mortality including the role of red cell transfusion.

Pulmonary hypertension: work in progress.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a rare disorder defined by mean pulmonary artery pressures that exceed 25 mm Hg at rest or are greater than 30 mm Hg with exercise. The mortality rate is high for untreated patients, mainly as a result of progressive right heart dysfunction. Pulmonary arterial hypertension has been historically classified as primary pulmonary hypertension or pulmonary hypertension resulting from an underlying disease process.