Negative impact of face masks in patients with interstitial lung disease: A prospective study.

Introduction: Face masks increase airway resistance, data on the actual extent of this effect are scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different mask types on clinical parameters during moderate exercise in healthy non-smokers, active smokers and patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) without the need of oxygen therapy.

Methods: In a prospective observational pilot study participants performed a six-minute walk test without mask, with a surgical mask, a well-fitted FFP2 mask and with a valved FFP3 mask.

Postpartum cryptococcosis in an HIV-negative patient.

Purpose And Methods: We present an unusual case of an HIV-negative patient with postpartum pulmonary cryptococcosis and cryptococcemia.

Results: The diagnostic methods and treatment of cryptococcosis in a postpartum patient are presented in this case report. Due to anaphylaxis to liposomal amphotericin B, desensitisation to the drug was performed.

Head-to-Head Comparison of Dual-Source and Split-Beam Filter Multi-Energy CT versus SPECT/CT for Assessing Lobar Lung Perfusion in Emphysema.

Purpose: To evaluate dual-source and split-beam filter multi-energy chest CT in assessing pulmonary perfusion on a lobar level in patients with lung emphysema, using perfusion SPECT as the reference standard.

Materials And Methods: Patients with emphysema evaluated for lung volume reduction therapy between May 2016 and February 2021 were retrospectively included. All patients underwent SPECT and either dual-source or split-beam filter (SBF) multi-energy CT.

Scorpionfish BPI is highly active against multiple drug-resistant isolates from people with cystic fibrosis.

Chronic pulmonary infection is a hallmark of cystic fibrosis (CF) and requires continuous antibiotic treatment. In this context, () is of special concern since colonizing strains frequently acquire multiple drug resistance (MDR). Bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) is a neutrophil-derived, endogenous protein with high bactericidal potency against Gram-negative bacteria.

[Rare cause of necrotizing pneumonia : A case report].

A 29-year-old Indian patient was admitted to the authors' pulmonary clinic with cough and fever. Community-acquired pneumonia was initially suspected. Various antibiotic therapies were administered, which did not lead to any clinical improvement.

Pirfenidone in patients with progressive fibrotic interstitial lung diseases other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (RELIEF): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial.

Background: Pirfenidone has been shown to slow disease progression in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, there are few treatment options for progressive fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (ILDs)) other than IPF. In view of the pathomechanistic and clinical similarities between IPF and other progressive fibrotic ILDs, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of pirfenidone in patients with four non-IPF progressive fibrotic ILDs.

Cardiopulmonary exercise pattern in patients with persistent dyspnoea after recovery from COVID-19.

Cause and mechanisms of persistent dyspnoea after recovery from COVID-19 are not well described. The objective is to describe causal factors for persistent dyspnoea in patients after COVID-19. We examined patients reporting dyspnoea after recovery from COVID-19 by cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

Incidence of patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in Germany - A healthcare insurance claims data analysis.

Background: Incidence and prevalence of patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) appear to be increasing worldwide but supporting epidemiological data are scarce. This study assesses the incidence of NCFB patients in Germany in 2013 and analyzes comorbidities and basic patterns of resource use.

Methods: A representative sample of 3.

Endobronchial Coils Versus Lung Volume Reduction Surgery or Medical Therapy for Treatment of Advanced Homogenous Emphysema.

: Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction utilizing shape-memory nitinol endobronchial coils (EBC) may be safer and more effective in severely hyperinflated homogeneous emphysema compared to medical therapy or lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). : The effect of bilateral EBC in patients with homogeneous emphysema on spirometry, lung volumes and survival was compared to patients with homogeneous emphysema randomized in the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) to LVRS or medical therapy. NETT participants were selected to match EBC participants in age, baseline spirometry, and gender.

Mental health, serum biomarkers and survival in severe COPD: a pilot study.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) impairs physical status and impacts on mental health. This prospective study was designed to assess associations between mental health and systemic biomarkers, and their combined relationship with long-term survival in stable severe COPD.

Methods: Forty-five patients with severe but stable COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 s of 29.

Bronchoscopic Coil Treatment for Patients with Severe Emphysema: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Bronchoscopic coil treatment has been shown to improve pulmonary function, exercise capacity, and quality of life in patients with severe emphysema.

Objectives: To perform a meta-analysis of the results of four independent European clinical trials investigating this coil therapy for emphysema.

Methods: Data on all patients included in the four European clinical trials were analyzed for efficacy and safety outcomes.

Lung volume reduction coil treatment for patients with severe emphysema: a European multicentre trial.

Background: The lung volume reduction (LVR) coil is a minimally invasive bronchoscopic nitinol device designed to reduce hyperinflation and improve elastic recoil in severe emphysema. We investigated the feasibility, safety and efficacy of LVR coil treatment in a prospective multicentre cohort trial in patients with severe emphysema.

Methods: Patients were treated in 11 centres.

A novel extracorporeal CO(2) removal system: results of a pilot study of hypercapnic respiratory failure in patients with COPD.

Background: Hypercapnic respiratory failure in patients with COPD frequently requires mechanical ventilatory support. Extracorporeal CO2 removal (ECCO2R) techniques have not been systematically evaluated in these patients.

Methods: This is a pilot study of a novel ECCO2R device that utilizes a single venous catheter with high CO2 removal rates at low blood flows.

Perceived risks of adverse effects and influenza vaccination: a survey of hospital employees.

Background: Many hospital employees shun influenza immunization because they want to avoid adverse reactions. We surveyed hospital employees to elucidate whether the conception of the adverse effects of vaccination stems from correct or misperceived incidence rates of vaccine adverse effects. 

Methods: We used an anonymous self-administered paper questionnaire at a tertiary-care university hospital in Germany, in 2006.

Extensively drug resistant tuberculosis in a high income country: a report of four unrelated cases.

Background: Multi drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) remains a major threat to public health, reinforced by recent reports about the clinical course of patients infected with extensively drug resistant (XDR) strains in South Africa. There is little information about the clinical course of XDR tuberculosis patients in industrialised countries.

[Epidemiology of severe sepsis at a German university hospital].

Background And Purpose: Sepsis still represents a major medical challenge despite several advances in therapy. Most published data on sepsis have been derived from clinical trials evaluating new drugs and from international cohort studies. The aim of this study was to analyze risk factors, mortality and causative pathogens in a cohort of unselected patients with severe sepsis at a German university hospital and to compare the data with international cohorts and recently published therapeutic trials.