Ability of using different dry powder inhalers during COPD exacerbations.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines suggest that patients hospitalized for acute COPD exacerbations (AECOPD) are treated with short acting bronchodilators. Long acting bronchodilators, offer longer symptom relief but since they are usually administered via Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) it is considered that during AECOPD patients would not be able to achieve appropriate inspiratory flow (IF) to receive appropriate drug doses. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether patients admitted to the hospital for AECOPD, are able to achieve the necessary IF using different DPIs. METHODS: IF was measured daily in patients admitted for AECOPD with a portable IF meter (In-Check Oral inhaler assessment kit), containing a series of adapters that simulate the resistance of 4 DPIs [Turbuhaler (T), Breezhaler/Aerolizer (B/F), Discus (A/A/D) and Handinhaler (HH)]. Dyspnea, spirometry and arterial blood gases were also recorded daily. RESULTS: 44 consecutive patients were included in the study. The majority of patients were able to achieve an IF over 30 L/min with all four device resistances. This minimum required IF was achieved in 90.9%, 100%, 95.5% and 81.8% of patients on admission and in 100%, 100%, 97.7%, and 95.5% of patients on discharge for T, B/F, A/A/D and HH respectively. No functional characteristic was able to predict the achievement of this minimum necessary IF. CONCLUSION: Most patients hospitalized for AECOPD, are able to receive treatment with long acting bronchodilators administered via DPIs. The possible beneficial effects of such an intervention should be tested in further studies.

Massive hemoptysis in a patient with pulmonary embolism, a real therapeutic conundrum.

Massive Hemoptysis and pulmonary embolism are two very severe and potentially fatal pulmonary emergencies requiring completely different treatments. We present the case of a 45-year old male transmitted to our Hospital for massive hemoptysis who at the same time was found to suffer from pulmonary embolism. Hemoptysis was treated with bronchial artery embolization which resulted in cessation of haemorrhage and allowed the administration of anticoagulant therapy a few days later. This case report gives an answer on how to manage a real therapeutic conundrum which is the coexistence of a massive hemoptysis and a concomitant pulmonary embolism.

Acute adrenal insufficiency as a first presentation of myelodysplastic syndrome and sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma: a case report.

Acute adrenal failure due to bilateral adrenal haemorrhage is rare and may initially present with non-specific symptoms. It can rapidly progress into a life-threatening condition if not diagnosed promptly. Both traumatic and non-traumatic conditions have been implicated in the aetiology, with the latter been even rarer. We describe the case of a 57-year-old woman presenting with vomiting and epigastric pain and later developing fever and diarrhoea. The patient then deteriorated into shock and primary adrenal insufficiency was identified. A computed tomography scan noted bilateral adrenal haemorrhage. Further investigations showed a sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma and a myelodysplastic syndrome, with monosomy seven. Bilateral non-traumatic adrenal haemorrhage is an infrequent finding and investigating its aetiology can be challenging. In our patient, two simultaneous underlying diseases were identified. To the best of our knowledge, the combination of these two non-traumatic conditions as a cause of acute bilateral adrenal haemorrhage has not been previously reported.