Sputum neutrophil elastase and its relation to pediatric bronchiectasis severity: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Aims: Sputum neutrophil elastase (NE) is a marker of neutrophilic airway inflammation in bronchiectasis. Yet, not much is known about its role in pediatric bronchiectasis severity. This study aimed to assess the sputum NE value as a biomarker of clinical and radiological severity in pediatric bronchiectasis.

Combined atrioventricular longitudinal strain rate during isovolumic contraction predicts pulmonary capillary wedge pressure in patients with systolic dysfunction.

Background: Reportedly, mitral annular velocities derived by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI)-during isovolumic contraction (IVV) can predict pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) in heart failure patients with depressed ejection fraction (EF). We investigated the use of color TDI-derived left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain rate (SR) during isovolumic contraction (IC) to predict the invasively measured PCWP.

Methods And Results: Forty patients referred with symptoms of heart failure were prospectively studied [age: 56±8 years, 12 (30%) females, and mean LVEF: 51±14%].

Cholecystolithotomy, a new approach to reduce recurrent gallstone ileus.

The incidence of gallstone ileus (GSI) is increasing. Current treatment options include enterolithotomy with or without cholecystectomy and repair of the biliodigestive fistula. Although most surgeons defer the management of the biliodigestive fistula to avoid the associated morbidity and mortality, this can lead to increased rate of recurrence of GSI by the remaining gallstones.