Stability of Frequent Exacerbator Phenotype in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: At present, there is little information in Bulgaria regarding the rate and stability of frequent-exacerbation phenotype in COPD patients.

Aim: To study the rate and stability of frequent-exacerbation phenotype in COPD patients.

Materials And Methods: We followed up 465 COPD patients for exacerbations over a 3-year period.

Autofluorescence and White Light Bronchoscopy in the Diagnosis of Endobronchial Malignant Lesions.

Background: Autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) allows a more sensitive approach to the diagnosis of premalignant and malignant endobronchial lesions than white light bronchoscopy (WLB) can do.

Aim: To assess the autofluorescence bronchoscopy and white light bronchoscopy in diagnosing malignant endobronchial lesions.

Materials And Methods: The design of the study is a retrospective case-control study.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Three Cases of Bronchial Carcinoma In Situ.

As part of a retrospective study on bronchoscopies performed at the Clinic of Pneumonology and Phthisiatry of the University Hospital - Pleven by autofluorescence bronchoscopy we found 3 cases diagnosed with carcinoma in situ. They were treated in different ways - endobronchial electrocoagulation, extraction by forceps biopsy and open surgery, but the result was the same - clinical healing. The paper presents the three clinical cases and the analysis of the treatment.

Impact of Air Pollution and Outdoor Temperature on the Rate of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations.

Background: Environmental pollution can be one of the main risk factors for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Aim: To study the relationship between air pollution, outdoor temperature and exacerbations of COPD.

Materials And Methods: COPD patients (n=1432) were followed up for one year.