Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to review the recent literature related to asthma, COPD, pulmonary function testing, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Topics covered related to asthma include genetics and epigenetics; exposures; viruses; diet, obesity and exercise; exhaled nitric oxide; and drug therapy (β agonists, macrolides, tiotropium and monteleukast). Topics covered related to COPD include childhood disadvantage factors and COPD; vitamin D deficiency and COPD; β-blockers and COPD; corticosteroid therapy during COPD exacerbations; oxygen administration during pre-hospital transport of patients with COPD exacerbation; and prognosis of patients admitted to the hospital for COPD exacerbation. Topics related to pulmonary function testing include methods and techniques; predicted values; natural history, pulmonary function in health and disease; and the COPD controversy. Finally, the paper includes the following topics related to ventilator-associated pneumonia: the tube, the intubation route, and the cuff; mechanical ventilation; the bundle; and cost. These topics were chosen and reviewed in a manner that is most likely to have interest to the readers of Respiratory Care.
- asthma
- β agonist
- β blocker
- COPD
- corticosteroids
- exhaled nitric oxide
- oxygen therapy
- pulmonary function testing
- spirometry
- ventilator-associated pneumonia
- vitamin D
Footnotes
- Correspondence: Dean R Hess PhD RRT FAARC, Respiratory Care, Ellison 401, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston MA 02114. E-mail: dhess{at}partners.org.
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Dr Rubin has disclosed relationships with Nostrum Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaxis, Fisher & Paykel, Novartis, Philips Respironics, MAP Pharmaceuticals, MedImmune, RegenRx, GlaxoSmithKline, Gilead Sciences, Reckitt Bencksier, McNeil Consumer Health, Pfizer Home Health, and Telefex Medical. Dr Dhand has disclosed relationships with GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Dey, and Aggenix. Mr Ruppel has disclosed relationships with Medical Graphics, Gilead Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, and Biomedical Systems. Mr Branson has disclosed relationships with Ikaria, Covidien, Hamilton, General Electric, Newport, and CareFusion. Dr Hess has disclosed relationships with Philips Respironics, Pari, and Covidien.
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