Bronchoscopist's perception of the quality of the single-use bronchoscope (Ambu aScope4™) in selected bronchoscopies: a multicenter study in 21 Spanish pulmonology services.

BACKGROUND: The disposable bronchoscope is an excellent alternative to face the problem of SARS-CoV-2 and other cross infections, but the bronchoscopist's perception of its quality has not been evaluated. METHODS: To evaluate the quality of the Ambu-aScope4 disposable bronchoscope, we carried out a cross-sectional study in 21 Spanish pulmonology services. We use a standardized questionnaire completed by the bronchoscopists at the end of each bronchoscopy. The variables were described with absolute and relative frequencies, measures of central tendency and dispersion depending on their nature. The existence of learning curves was evaluated by CUSUM analysis. RESULTS: The most frequent indications in 300 included bronchoscopies was bronchial aspiration in 69.3% and the median duration of these was 9.1 min. The route of entry was nasal in 47.2% and oral in 34.1%. The average score for ease of use, image, and aspiration quality was 80/100. All the planned techniques were performed in 94.9% and the bronchoscopist was satisfied in 96.6% of the bronchoscopies. They highlighted the portability and immediacy of the aScope4TM to start the procedure in 99.3%, the possibility of taking and storing images in 99.3%. The CUSUM analysis showed average scores > 70/100 from the first procedure and from the 9th procedure more than 80% of the scores exceeded the 80/100 score. CONCLUSIONS: The aScope4™ scored well for ease of use, imaging, and aspiration. We found a learning curve with excellent scores from the 9th procedure. Bronchoscopists highlighted its portability, immediacy of use and the possibility of taking and storing images.

Usefulness of an angioplasty balloon as selective bronchial blockade device after transbronchial cryobiopsy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) is a technique in which frozen samples of lung are obtained using a probe inserted through a bronchoscope. We performed a retrospective study to assess the performance of the TBCB procedure complemented by segmental bronchial blockade using an angioplasty balloon, in terms of diagnostic yield and safety in diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD). METHODS: Data from 100 patients with suspected DPLD (clinical and radiological findings), who underwent TBCB in our institution to establish a definitive diagnosis, were reviewed. In our institution, TBCB is monitored with fluoroscopy and performed under general anaesthesia by a multidisciplinary team (an anaesthesiologist, a pulmonologist and an interventional radiologist). In each patient, four samples were collected using a 2.4-mm distal diameter cryoprobe. To control bleeding, the biopsied segmental bronchus was blocked with a 6-mm diameter angioplasty balloon, inserted over a 0.035-inch angled hydrophilic guidewire. After the cryoextraction, the balloon was inflated for 3 min intervals until bleeding stopped. RESULTS: Overall, 98% of samples had diagnostic value. In 85% of cases, DPLD was confirmed, while in 7%, cancer was diagnosed. Complications were observed in 16% of the patients: 13 patients developed moderate haemorrhage, and 3 developed pneumothorax. CONCLUSION: Transbronchial cryobiopsy had a high diagnostic yield for DPLD. Performing the procedure under fluoroscopy guidance and using angioplasty balloon for selective bronchial blockade achieved a low rate of iatrogenic complications directly associated with the technique.

Complications and hospital admission in the following 90 days after lung cryobiopsy performed in interstitial lung disease.

Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) is an emerging technique for the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD), but its risk benefit ratio has been questioned. The objectives of this research were to describe any adverse events that occur within 90 days following TBLC and to identify clinical predictors that could help to detect the population at risk. METHODS: We conducted an ambispective study including all patients with suspected ILD who underwent TBLC. Data were collected concerning the safety profile of this procedure and compared to various clinical variables. RESULTS: Overall, 257 TBLCs were analysed. Complications were observed in 15.2% of patients; nonetheless, only 5.4% of all patients required hospital admission on the day of the procedure. In the 30 and 90 days following the TBLC, rates of readmission were 1.3% and 3.5% and of mortality were 0.38%, and 0.78% respectively. Two models were built to predict early admission (AUC 0.72; 95% CI 0.59-0.84) and overall admission (AUC 0.76; 95% CI 0.67-0.85). CONCLUSIONS: Within 90 days after TBLC, 8.9% of patients suffered a complication serious enough to warrant hospital admission. Modified MRC dyspnoea score ≥2, FVC<50%, and a Charlson Comorbidity Index score ≥2 were factors that predicted early and overall admission.

Predictors of mortality in patients with stable COPD.

OBJECTIVES: To determine which easily available clinical factors are associated with mortality in patients with stable COPD and if health-related quality of life (HRQoL) provides additional information. DESIGN: Five-year prospective cohort study. SETTING: Five outpatient clinics of a teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred stable COPD patients recruited consecutively. MEASUREMENTS: The variables were age, FEV(1%), dyspnea, previous hospital admissions and emergency department visits for COPD, pack-years of smoking, comorbidities, body mass index, and HRQoL measured by Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ), and Short-Form 36 (SF-36). Logistic and Cox regression models were used to assess the influence of these variables on mortality and survival. RESULTS: FEV(1%)(OR: 0.62, 95% CI 0.5 to 0.75), dyspnea (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.2 to 3), age (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.6 to 3.6), previous hospitalization due to COPD exacerbations (OR 1.53, 1.2 to 2) and lifetime pack-years (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.2) were independently related to respiratory mortality. Similarly, these factors were independently related to all-cause mortality with dyspnea having the strongest association (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.2). HRQoL was an independent predictor of respiratory and all-cause mortality only when dyspnea was excluded from the models, except scores on the SGRQ were associated with all-cause mortality with dyspnea in the model. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with stable COPD, FEV(1%) was the main predictor of respiratory mortality and dyspnea of all-cause mortality. In general, HRQoL was not related to mortality when dyspnea was taken into account, and CRQ and SGRQ behaved in similar ways regarding mortality.

Histiocitosis X, diagnóstico por criobiopsia: a propósito de un caso / Histiocytosis X diagnosis by cryobiopsy: a case report

La Histiocitosis de células de Langerhans (HPCL) es una enfermedad de etiología incierta, que puede manifestarse como enfermedad sistémica o enfermedad localizada. Su forma de presentación limitada a pulmón, se denomina Histiocitosis X. Su incidencia es desconocida, siendo >90% de los casos fumadores, entre 20-40 años, y más frecuente en mujeres. El tabaco juega un papel fundamental en el desarrollo de la enfermedad, sin estar claro el mecanismo fisiopatológico. La presentación clínica de la enfermedad pulmonar es variable, desde síntomas larvados de tos, disnea dolor torácico, sudoración o pérdida de peso, a neumotórax en un 15%. El diagnóstico se basa en Pruebas de imagen (TACAR), Pruebas respiratorias, Histológicas e munohistoquímicas. Su confirmación histológica se realiza mediante biopsia transbronquial, en nuestro caso criobiopsia pulmonar, aumentando así el rendimiento diagnóstico y evitando complicaciones. El abandono del tabaco, evita la progresión de la enfermedad e incluso logra su regresión (AU)

Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis(PLCH) is a disease of uncertain etiology, which manifest itself either as a Systemic or a localized disease. When confined to the lungs, it is known as Histiocytosis X. Although the exact incidence rate in unknown, more than 90% of cases are smokers of between 20 and 40 years old, most commonly women. Smoking plays a major role in the development of the disease, though the physiopathological mechanisms remain unclear. The clinical presentation of the disease varies from a non-specific cough, dyspnea, thoracic pain, weight loss, and pneumothorax. The diagnosis is based on high-resolution CT, respiratory, histological and immunohistochemistry tests. Histological confirmation is achieved via transbronchial biopsy, in our case lung criobiopsy, which increases the diagnostic yield and avoids complications. Smoking cessationprevents progression of the disease and can even lead to its regression (AU)

Impact of hospitalisations for exacerbations of COPD on health-related quality of life.

Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) impair health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It is unknown whether exacerbations requiring hospitalisation have an impact on HRQoL. 611 ambulatory COPD patients were prospectively identified. The average age (SD) was 65.5 (8.6), FEV(1) (SD) was 52% (14%) of the predicted value. All patients completed the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire at the beginning of the study. After five years of follow-up, the 391 survivors again completed these HRQoL instruments. No changes in HRQoL were observed among patients not hospitalised for COPD exacerbations. Those hospitalised during follow-up experienced significant declines in HRQoL. The largest changes were observed among patients with >or=3 hospitalisations, with a 13.6 unit increase in the total SGRQ and a 10.5 unit decrease in the physical component summary scale of the SF-36. Similar changes were observed among patients with FEV(1)>or=50% at baseline. In the multivariate analysis, after adjustment by FEV(1%), age, comorbidities, and HRQoL in the respective HRQoL domain at baseline, hospitalisations were an independent predictor of the change in HRQoL. Hospitalisations for exacerbations of COPD have an independent and negative impact on the evolution of HRQoL, regardless of COPD severity.

Validez del cuestionario de calidad de vida SF-36 como indicador de resultados de procedimientos médicos y quirúrgicos / Clinical usefunlness of the SF-36 in several clinical problems

Objetivo: Estudiar la utilidad clínica del cuestionario genérico de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) SF-36 en los servicios de asistencia sanitaria. Método: Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo con 691 pacientes con distintos diagnósticos médicos reclutados en el ámbito de consultas externas de un hospital general. Los grupos diagnósticos fueron cáncer de pulmón (CP) y hematológico (CH), osteoartrosis de cadera (OAC), trastornos de la alimentación (TA) y enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal crónica (EIIC). Los pacientes incluidos en el estudio cumplimentaron el SF-36, un instrumento genérico de CVRS. Con los pacientes con OAC que iban a ser operados de prótesis de cadera (PC) fue realizado un estudio de seguimiento antes y después de la intervención. Resultados: Los pacientes con TA presentaban puntuaciones bajas en las áreas mentales, funcionamiento social y rol físico. Aquellos con CP contaban con valores bajos en todas las áreas del SF-36, que eran menores en las físicas y ligeramente más bajas que en los pacientes con CH. Los pacientes con OAC presentaban un impacto importante en las áreas físicas, principalmente en el área de dolor corporal; las mejoras tras la intervención eran mayores en las áreas físicas. Aquellos pacientes con EIIC, evidenciaban afección principal en el área de salud general. Conclusiones: El SF-36 es capaz de discriminar entre distintas enfermedades. Estos resultados apoyan su validez discriminante como un indicador para la evaluación de resultados de procedimientos médicos entre centros y entre grupos de pacientes (AU)