A phase II study of dose-dense and dose-intense ABVD (ABVDDD-DI ) without consolidation radiotherapy in patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma.

We explored activity and safety of a dose-dense/dose-intense adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine regimen (ABVDDD-DI ) in 82 patients with advanced Hodgkin Lymphoma. Patients entered a two-stage Bryant-Day Phase II study to receive six cycles of ABVDDD-DI without consolidation radiotherapy. Cycles were supported with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and delivered every 21 d; drugs were administered on days 1 and 11 at the same doses of standard ABVD except for doxorubicin (35 mg/m2; first four cycles only).

The impact of decreasing cutoff values for maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2)max) in the decision-making process for candidates to lung cancer surgery.

Background: Maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2)max) is considered a decisive test for risk prediction in patients with borderline cardiopulmonary reserve. Guidelines have adopted decreasing VO(2)max cut-off values to define operability within acceptable mortality and morbidity limits. We wanted to investigate how the adoption of decreasing VO(2)max cut-off-values assessment contributed to better select lung surgery candidates.

Management of localized pneumothoraces after pulmonary resection with intrapulmonary percussive ventilation.

Background: Intrapulmonary percussive ventilation (IPV) aims at clearing retained secretions through oscillary vibrations generated by high frequency bursts of gas delivered into the airways at rates between 200 and 300 breaths per minute and at a delivery pressure of 10 to 20 cm water. In addition, IPV can improve recruitment of alveolar units and deliver aerosolized medications. The use of IPV to resolve challenging postlobectomy localized pneumothoraces is hereafter described.

A model to predict the immediate postoperative FEV1 following major lung resections.

Objective: FEV1 measured on the first postoperative day has shown to be a better predictor of complications than traditional ppoFEV1. Therefore, its estimation before operation may enhance risk stratification. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a model to predict FEV1 on the first postoperative day after major lung resection.

Evidence of lower alteration of expiratory volume in patients with airflow limitation in the immediate period after lobectomy.

Background: Recently published papers have shown that lobectomy improves lung function in selected patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) months after surgery, but little information can be found discussing the effect of lobectomy on pulmonary function in the immediate period after surgery in these cases. The aim of this multicenter prospective study is to evaluate whether preoperative COPD influences the decrease of forced expiratory volume in 1 second the day after surgery.

Methods: One hundred eighty-five patients undergoing nonextensive lobectomy were included.