Preoperative evaluation for lung resection in patients with bronchiectasis: should we rely on standard lung function evaluation?

OBJECTIVES: The scant data about non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, including tuberculosis sequelae and impairment of lung function, can bias the preoperative physiological assessment. Our goal was to evaluate the changes in lung function and exercise capacity following pulmonary resection in these patients; we also looked for outcome predictors. METHODS: We performed a non-randomized prospective study evaluating lung function changes in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis treated with pulmonary resection. Patients performed lung function tests and cardiopulmonary exercise tests preoperatively and 3 and 9 months after the operation. Demographic data, comorbidities, surgical data and complications were collected. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were evaluated for lung function. After resection, the patients had slightly lower values for spirometry: forced expiratory volume in 1 s preoperatively: 2.21 l ± 0.8; at 3 months: 1.9 l ± 0.8 and at 9 months: 2.0 l ± 0.8, but the relationship between the forced expiratory volume in 1 s and the forced vital capacity remained. The gas diffusion measured by diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide did not change: preoperative value: 23.2 ml/min/mmHg ± 7.4; at 3 months: 21.5 ml/min/mmHg ± 5.6; and at 9 months: 21.7 ml/min/mmHg ± 8.2. The performance of general exercise did not change; peak oxygen consumption preoperatively was 20.9 ml/kg/min ± 7.4; at 3 months: 19.3 ml/kg/min ± 6.4; and at 9 months: 20.2 ml/kg/min ± 8.0. Forty-six patients were included for analysis of complications. We had 13 complications with 2 deaths. To test the capacity of the predicted postoperative (PPO) values to forecast complications, we performed several multivariate and univariate analyses; none of them was a significant predictor of complications. When we analysed other variables, only bronchoalveolar lavage with positive culture was significant for postoperative complications (P = 0.0023). Patients who had a pneumonectomy had a longer stay in the intensive care unit (P = 0.0348). CONCLUSIONS: The calculated PPO forced expiratory volume in 1 s had an excellent correlation with the measurements at 3 and 9 months; but the calculated PPO capacity for carbon monoxide and the PPO peak oxygen consumption slightly underestimated the 3- and 9-month values. However, none of them was a predictor for complications. Better tools to predict postoperative complications for patients with bronchiectasis who are candidates for lung resection are needed. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01268475.

Impact of thoracic radiotherapy on respiratory function and exercise capacity in patients with breast cancer / Impacto da radioterapia torácica na função respiratória e capacidade de exercício em pacientes com câncer de mama

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the impact of thoracic radiotherapy on respiratory function and exercise capacity in patients with breast cancer. Methods: Breast cancer patients in whom thoracic radiotherapy was indicated after surgical treatment and chemotherapy were submitted to HRCT, respiratory evaluation, and exercise capacity evaluation before radiotherapy and at three months after treatment completion. Respiratory muscle strength testing, measurement of chest wall mobility, and complete pulmonary function testing were performed for respiratory evaluation; cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed to evaluate exercise capacity. The total radiotherapy dose was 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy/fraction) to the breast or chest wall, including supraclavicular lymph nodes (SCLN) or not. Dose-volume histograms were calculated for each patient with special attention to the ipsilateral lung volume receiving 25 Gy (V25), in absolute and relative values, and mean lung dose. Results: The study comprised 37 patients. After radiotherapy, significant decreases were observed in respiratory muscle strength, chest wall mobility, exercise capacity, and pulmonary function test results (p < 0.05). DLCO was unchanged. HRCT showed changes related to radiotherapy in 87% of the patients, which was more evident in the patients submitted to SCLN irradiation. V25% significantly correlated with radiation pneumonitis. Conclusions: In our sample of patients with breast cancer, thoracic radiotherapy seemed to have caused significant losses in respiratory and exercise capacity, probably due to chest wall restriction; SCLN irradiation represented an additional risk factor for the development of radiation pneumonitis.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto da radioterapia torácica na função respiratória e capacidade de exercício em pacientes com câncer de mama. Métodos: Pacientes com câncer de mama com indicação de radioterapia torácica após tratamento cirúrgico e quimioterápico foram submetidas a TCAR, avaliação respiratória e avaliação da capacidade de exercício antes da radioterapia torácica e três meses após o término do tratamento. Foram realizados teste de força muscular respiratória, medição da mobilidade torácica e prova de função pulmonar completa para a avaliação respiratória; realizou-se teste de exercício cardiopulmonar para avaliar a capacidade de exercício. A dose total de radioterapia foi de 50,4 Gy (1,8 Gy/fração) na mama ou na parede torácica, incluindo ou não a fossa supraclavicular (FSC). Histogramas dose-volume foram calculados para cada paciente com especial atenção para o volume pulmonar ipsilateral que recebeu 25 Gy (V25), em números absolutos e relativos, e a dose pulmonar média. Resultados: O estudo incluiu 37 pacientes. Após a radioterapia, observou-se diminuição significativa da força muscular respiratória, mobilidade torácica, capacidade de exercício e resultados da prova de função pulmonar (p < 0,05). A DLCO permaneceu inalterada. A TCAR mostrou alterações relacionadas à radioterapia em 87% das pacientes, o que foi mais evidente nas pacientes submetidas à irradiação da FSC. O V25% correlacionou-se significativamente com a pneumonite por radiação. Conclusões: Em nossa amostra de pacientes com câncer de mama, a radioterapia torácica parece ter causado perdas significativas na capacidade respiratória e de exercício, provavelmente por causa da restrição torácica; a irradiação da FSC representou um fator de risco adicional para o desenvolvimento de pneumonite por radiação.

Impact of thoracic radiotherapy on respiratory function and exercise capacity in patients with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of thoracic radiotherapy on respiratory function and exercise capacity in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: Breast cancer patients in whom thoracic radiotherapy was indicated after surgical treatment and chemotherapy were submitted to HRCT, respiratory evaluation, and exercise capacity evaluation before radiotherapy and at three months after treatment completion. Respiratory muscle strength testing, measurement of chest wall mobility, and complete pulmonary function testing were performed for respiratory evaluation; cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed to evaluate exercise capacity. The total radiotherapy dose was 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy/fraction) to the breast or chest wall, including supraclavicular lymph nodes (SCLN) or not. Dose-volume histograms were calculated for each patient with special attention to the ipsilateral lung volume receiving 25 Gy (V25), in absolute and relative values, and mean lung dose. RESULTS: The study comprised 37 patients. After radiotherapy, significant decreases were observed in respiratory muscle strength, chest wall mobility, exercise capacity, and pulmonary function test results (p < 0.05). DLCO was unchanged. HRCT showed changes related to radiotherapy in 87% of the patients, which was more evident in the patients submitted to SCLN irradiation. V25% significantly correlated with radiation pneumonitis. CONCLUSIONS: In our sample of patients with breast cancer, thoracic radiotherapy seemed to have caused significant losses in respiratory and exercise capacity, probably due to chest wall restriction; SCLN irradiation represented an additional risk factor for the development of radiation pneumonitis.

Skeletal muscle abnormalities in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a progressive disease that is characterized by dyspnea and exercise intolerance. Impairment in skeletal muscle has recently been described in PAH, although the degree to which this impairment is solely determined by the hemodynamic profile remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to verify the association of structural and functional skeletal muscle characteristics with maximum exercise in PAH. METHODS: The exercise capacity, body composition, CT area of limb muscle, quality of life, quadriceps biopsy and hemodynamics of 16 PAH patients were compared with those of 10 controls. RESULTS: PAH patients had a significantly poorer quality of life, reduced percentage of lean body mass, reduced respiratory muscle strength, reduced resistance and strength of quadriceps and increased functional limitation at 6MWT and CPET. VO2 max was correlated with muscular variables and cardiac output. Bivariate linear regression models showed that the association between muscular structural and functional variables remained significant even after correcting for cardiac output. CONCLUSION: Our study showed the coexistence of ventilatory and quadriceps weakness in face of exercise intolerance in the same group of PAH patients. More interestingly, it is the first time that the independent association between muscular pattern and maximum exercise capacity is evidenced in PAH, independently of cardiac index highlighting the importance of considering rehabilitation in the treatment strategy for PAH.

Lung resection improves the quality of life of patients with symptomatic bronchiectasis.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiectasis is a significant cause of morbidity. Surgical resection is a treatment option, but its main outcomes regarding quality of life (QOL) and physiologic consequences have not been addressed previously, to our knowledge. We aimed to evaluate the effect of surgical procedures on QOL, exercise capacity, and lung function in patients with bronchiectasis in whom medical treatment was unsuccessful. METHODS: Patients with noncystic fibrosis in whom medical treatment was unsuccessful and who were candidates for lung resection were enrolled in a prospective study. The main measurements before lung resection and 9 months afterward were QOL according to the Short Form 36 Health Survey and World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaires, lung function test results, and the results of maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a cycle ergometer. RESULTS: Of 61 patients who were evaluated, 53 (50.9% male, age 41.3 ± 12.9 years) underwent surgical resection (83% lobectomies), and 44 completed the 9-month follow-up. At baseline, they had low QOL scores, mild obstruction, and diminished exercise capacity. After resection, 2 patients died and adverse events occurred in 24.5%. QOL scores improved remarkably at the 9-month measurements, achieving values considered normal for the general population in most dimensions. Functionally, resection caused mild reduction of lung volume; nevertheless, exercise capacity was not decreased. In fact, 52% of the patients improved their exercise performance. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that low QOL before resection was an important predictor of QOL improvement after resection (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Lung resection promotes a significant improvement in the QOL of patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis without compromising their exercise capacity.

Impacto da radioterapia torácica na capacidade funcional de pacientes com neoplasia de mama / The impact of radiation therapy on functional capacity in patients with breast cancer

Introdução: Durante a radioterapia torácica (RT) para o câncer de mama, parte do parênquima pulmonar adjacente a caixa torácica acaba secundariamente sendo incluída no campo de tratamento, podendo cursar com lesões pulmonares e perdas na capacidade funcional. Essas seqüelas necessitam ser mais bem compreendidas, considerando o bom prognóstico da doença. Objetivos: Avaliar o impacto da RT na capacidade funcional em pacientes com neoplasia de mama. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo que incluiu 41 pacientes consecutivas entre Janeiro de 2008 a Julho de 2009. As pacientes foram submetidas a uma avaliação da capacidade respiratória, da capacidade de exercício e tomografia de tórax de alta resolução antes do início e após 3 meses do término do tratamento. Para a avaliação respiratória foram mensurados a força de músculos respiratórios, mobilidade de caixa torácica e prova de função pulmonar completa. A capacidade de exercício foi avaliada através de teste cardiopulmonar de esforço (ergoespirometria). Foram calculados a dose pulmonar média e o volume pulmonar que recebeu uma dose de 25Gy em valor absoluto (V25cm3) e em porcentagem do volume pulmonar total (V25%). Os sintomas respiratórios (pneumonite) e dermatológicos (dermatite) foram classificados de acordo com escalas previamente descritos na literatura na avaliação final. Resultados: Após 3 meses da RT foram encontrados presença de sintomas de pneumonite actínica e dermatite actínica, com piora na performace status e diminuição da tolerância aos esforços para as atividades cotidianas. Na avaliação respiratória foram encontradas significativas perdas na força de músculos respiratórios (p<0,0001), mobilidade de caixa torácica (p<0,0001) e nos volumes e capacidades pulmonares. Não foram observados alterações na difusão (p=0,56)...

Introduction: Postoperative radiotherapy (RT) in breast cancer involves part of the pulmonary parenchyma with potential losses in functional capacity. Those effects deserve to be more depth understands, considering the good prognosis of the disease. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of radiotherapy in functional capacity after 3 months in patients treated with breast cancer. Methods: 41 consecutive women were performed lung high resolution computed tomography, respiratory and exercise capacity evaluation before and after 3 months of the completion of RT. The respiratory evaluation included complete pulmonary function test, respiratory muscle strength and chest wall measurement. Cardiopulmonary exercise test was used to evaluate the exercise capacity. The mean lung dose of RT and the lung volume receiving 25Gy in absolute value (V25cm3) and in percentage of total pulmonary volume (V25%) were calculated. Results: After 3 months significant decreases in respiratory muscle strength, chest wall mobility, exercise capacity and PFT were observed, except the diffusion capacity. HRCT showed changes related to RT in 87%, and that change was more important in patients with supraclavicular fossa included in RT treatment. Conclusions: Local RT for breast cancer led to a significant loss in functional capacity and physical deconditioning...