Clinical utility of bedside Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of pneumonia in elderly patients: Comparison with clinical, -radiological and ultrasound diagnosis.

Aims: to measure the clinical impact of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of -community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), compared to clinical, radiological and ultrasound diagnosis.

Methods: 84 patients (47/37 males/females, mean age:78,57±11,7 Y) with clinical suspicion of pneumonia and with ultrasound findings of peripheral lung lesions, were investigated with CEUS for a better characterization. Final diagnosis of 65 cap was obtained with complete disappearance of symptoms and pulmonary nodule(s); 19 neoplasms: 16 patients performed histologically with bronchoscopy; 3 refused (non-invasive diagnosis with basal CT-scan and positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)).

Exercise capacity and comorbidities in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Study Objectives: There are few studies evaluating (1) exercise capacity as assessed by the 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) test in large populations with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); and (2) correlations with patients' comorbidities.

Methods: This study presents a cluster analysis performed on the data of 1,228 patients. Severity of exercise limitation was defined on the basis of 6MWD.

Effect of continuous positive airway pressure on respiratory drive in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Objective: Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have an altered control of breathing during wakefulness. Thus far, whether and how treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may restore these abnormalities has been poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of CPAP on the breathing pattern, ventilatory drive (VDr), and chemoreceptor sensitivity in OSA patients.

Implementation of a real-world based ICF set for the rehabilitation of respiratory diseases: a pilot study.

Background: International Classification Functioning (ICF) Core Sets represent a holistic approach to functioning within rehabilitation field. Information-reporting efficacy of a rehabilitation-based Respiratory ICF set applied on a large scale throughout the ICS Maugeri network was tested.

Methods: A prospective multi-center study (May-November 2018) was conducted for all respiratory inpatients consecutively admitted for rehabilitation.

Screening for neuropsychological impairment in COPD patients undergoing rehabilitation.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex multi-component disorder characterized by progressive irreversible respiratory symptoms and extrapulmonary comorbidities, including anxiety-depression and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, the prevalence of these impairments is still uncertain, due to non-optimal screening methods. This observational cross-sectional multicentre study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety-depressive symptoms and MCI in COPD patients, identify the most appropriate cognitive tests to screen MCI, and investigate specific cognitive deficits in these patients and possible predictive factors.

Improvements in Lung Diffusion Capacity following Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD with and without Ventilation Inhomogeneity.

Background: Lung diffusing capacity (DLCO) and lung volume distribution predict exercise performance and are altered in COPD patients. If pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) can modify DLCO parameters is unknown.

Objectives: To investigate changes in DLCO and ventilation inhomogeneity following a PR program and their relation with functional outcomes in patients with COPD.

Faster reduction in hyperinflation and improvement in lung ventilation inhomogeneity promoted by aclidinium compared to glycopyrronium in severe stable COPD patients. A randomized crossover study.

Standard spyrometric assessment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) only evaluates bronchial obstruction. However, airflow limitation and hyperinflation are the main pathophysiological factors responsible for dyspnoea and reduced exercise tolerance in patients with COPD. This study evaluated the effects of aclidinium bromide 400 μg and glycopyrronium bromide 50 μg on these parameters.

Effect of indacaterol on lung deflation improves cardiac performance in hyperinflated COPD patients: an interventional, randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

Background: COPD is often associated with cardiovascular comorbidity. Treatment guidelines recommend therapy with bronchodilators as first choice. We investigated the acute effect of single-dose indacaterol on lung hyperinflation in COPD subjects, for the first time evaluating the potential effects on right heart performance.

A systematic review on tracheostomy decannulation: a proposal of a quantitative semiquantitative clinical score.

Background: Tracheostomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in critical care patient management; more specifically, ventilation through tracheal cannula allows removal of the endotracheal tube (ETT). Available literature about tracheostomy care and decannulation is mainly represented by expert opinions and no certain knowledge arises from it.

Methods: In lack of statistical requirements, a systematic and critical review of literature regarding tracheostomy tube removal was performed in order to assess predictor factors of successful decannulation and to propose a predictive score.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD: A Reappraisal (2008-2012).

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a complex pathological condition associated with an important reduction in physical activity and psychological problems that contribute to the patient's disability and poor health-related quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation is aimed to eliminate or at least attenuate these difficulties, mainly by promoting muscular reconditioning. The scope of this paper has been the analysis of the literature on pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD patients has appeared in the last five years, focusing on the principal outcomes obtained.

Validation of the Clinical COPD questionnaire in Italian language.

Background: The development and validation study of the Clinical Chronic Obstructive Disease (COPD) Questionnaire (CCQ) has recently been published in this journal. The CCQ is the first questionnaire that incorporates both clinician and patient guideline goals in the clinical control evaluation of patients with COPD in general clinical practice. The aim of this study is the validation of the CCQ questionnaire in Italian, in specific pulmonary disease clinical practice.