[Assessment and outcome parameters in COPD]. / Beurteilungs- und Prognosekriterien bei COPD1.

BACKGROUND: A standard outcome parameter for pharmacological trials in COPD has not yet been defined. Therefore, it is the aim of this review to evaluate frequently used parameters for their eligibility as assessment and outcome parameters in COPD. METHODS: A review of the actual scientific literature was performed. RESULTS: It is recommended to continue to rely primarily on the FEV (1), which has been used as a primary variable in the vast majority of trials. In addition, further parameters, such as FVC and IC/TLC should be determined. If available, additional information is provided by RV/TLC, K (co), PaO (2) and PaCO (2). FEV (1) is not a surrogate parameter for dyspnoea, quality of life, and exercise tolerance, which should therefore be assessed separately. Frequency and severity of exacerbations and mortality are important outcome parameters in long-term trials. Complex indices, such as the BODE index, may be superior to single variables. CONCLUSIONS: No single additional parameter has been evaluated sufficiently in order to substitute FEV (1) as the standard parameter for the assessment and outcome in COPD.

[Collateral ventilation]. / Kollaterale Ventilation.

The phenomenon of collateral ventilation is defined as ventilation of alveolar structures through passages or channels that bypass the normal airways. Such bypassing structures can be interalveolar, bronchiole-alveolar, interbronchiole, and interlobar. Collateral ventilation structures seem to be prominent in human lungs with trapped air and emphysema. In healthy human lungs normally no relevant collateral ventilation can be detected. In emphysematic lungs the ventilation through collateral channels can probably improve gas exchange mechanisms. The phenomenon of collateral ventilation explains several clinical observations in human lungs such as the absence of atalectasis following complete bronchial obstruction, e. g. after foreign body aspiration or tumour. The various results after bronchoscopic implantation of one-way endobronchial valves as a new technique for treating emphysema can also be explained by collateral ventilation. Understanding collateral ventilation is of high importance for clinicians, those working in the field of physiology of emphysema in human lungs and may be central to planning new bronchoscopic techniques for treating emphysema. The paper offers an overview of history, physiology and the relevance for lung volume reduction methods. Moreover, a new imaging technique to demonstrate collateral ventilation in vivo is described.

Erratum: Inhaler technique: facts and fantasies. A view from the Aerosol Drug Management Improvement Team (ADMIT).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/npjpcrm.2016.17.].

Inhaler technique: facts and fantasies. A view from the Aerosol Drug Management Improvement Team (ADMIT).

Health professionals tasked with advising patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) how to use inhaler devices properly and what to do about unwanted effects will be aware of a variety of commonly held precepts. The evidence for many of these is, however, lacking or old and therefore in need of re-examination. Few would disagree that facilitating and encouraging regular and proper use of inhaler devices for the treatment of asthma and COPD is critical for successful outcomes. It seems logical that the abandonment of unnecessary or ill-founded practices forms an integral part of this process: the use of inhalers is bewildering enough, particularly with regular introduction of new drugs, devices and ancillary equipment, without unnecessary and pointless adages. We review the evidence, or lack thereof, underlying ten items of inhaler 'lore' commonly passed on by health professionals to each other and thence to patients. The exercise is intended as a pragmatic, evidence-informed review by a group of clinicians with appropriate experience. It is not intended to be an exhaustive review of the literature; rather, we aim to stimulate debate, and to encourage researchers to challenge some of these ideas and to provide new, updated evidence on which to base relevant, meaningful advice in the future. The discussion on each item is followed by a formal, expert opinion by members of the ADMIT Working Group.

[Modern inhalation therapy]. / Moderne Inhalationstherapien. Suspension, Lösung oder Pulver? Entscheidend ist die richtige Technik.

Treatment with aerosols is the major form of treatment of obstructive airway disease. It has become possible not only as a result of improved medication, but also, and in particular, the continuing technological development of inhalation systems. The large selection of widely differing systems increases the chance of achieving effective treatment through appropriate individual application and good compliance. Even modern inhalation systems are not ideal in every respect and for every patient and disease stage. Only when correctly applied are almost all currently available systems clinically effective. When deciding what constitutes the best option, technological aspects of the systems together with the resulting demands made on the patient, as well as the mental and manual abilities and ventilatory characteristics of the patient, must be taken into account.

[Powder inhalation systems]. / Pulverinhalationssysteme.

Inhalation of bronchodilators and corticosteroids is the mainstay treatment for patients with obstructive lung diseases. Many dry powder inhaler devices and drug combinations are now available, and competing promotional claims can confuse both prescribers and patients. The appropriate dose of a given drug may be different for a pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) and a dry powder inhaler (DPI). DPIs create aerosols by drawing air through an aliquot of dry powder. The powder contains either micronized (< 5 micro m in diameter) drug particles bound into loose aggregates, or micronized drug particles that are loosely bound to large (> 30 micro m in diameter) lactose or glucose particles. Usually, the drug particles are bound to carrier particles and are stripped form the carrier particles by the energy provided by the patientacute;s inhalation. The release of respirable particles of the drug requires inspiration at relatively high flow rates (30 - 120 L/min). Other important factors influencing aerosol generation and lung deposition are device design (resistance to airflow) and environmental conditions (humidity, temperature). Preferably, patients should employ only one type of aerosol-generating device for inhalation therapy. The technique of use varies among devices, and repeated instruction is highly advisable, to ensure that the patient uses the device appropriately. At present, DPIs are recommended for prophylactic and maintenance therapy in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but not for patients with acute severe bronchoconstriction or children less than 5 years of age.