[Bronchodilator efficacy of combined salmeterol and tiotropium in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]. / Eficacia broncodilatadora de la asociación de salmeterol y tiotropio en pacientes con EPOC.

OBJECTIVE: Bronchodilators are still the most effective drugs for controlling the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Tiotropium bromide, a long-acting anticholinergic drug, has recently been added to the therapeutic arsenal for the disease. To date, there have been no studies combining 2 long-acting bronchodilators. The aim of the present trial was to determine whether the combination of salmeterol and tiotropium improved lung function in COPD patients more than either of them alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients (20 men) diagnosed with COPD, with a mean age of 64 years, were enrolled in this cross-over trial. Active smokers were excluded. Mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 43% (14%) of predicted. All patients were experienced in the use of inhalers. The following 3 therapeutic combinations were randomly assigned to be administered for a 1-week period: a) fluticasone (500 microg/12 h), salmeterol (50 microg/12 h) and placebo; b) fluticasone, tiotropium (18 microg/24 h), and placebo; and c) fluticasone, salmeterol, and tiotropium. At the end of each period, forced spirometry was performed before inhalation of the therapeutic combination (between 8:30 am and 9:30 am) and 2 hours after inhalation. Throughout the week, morning peak flow rates measured immediately before inhalation were recorded, and there was a 48-hour wash-out period between each therapeutic combination. RESULTS: All the patients completed the protocol. There were no significant differences in preinhalation or postinhalation FEV1 with salmeterol compared to tiotropium (preinhalation FEV1, 1.17 [0.55] L compared to 1.19 [0.49] L; postinhalation FEV1, 1.32 [0.65] L compared to 1.29 [0.61] L). In all cases postinhalation FEV1 was significantly higher than preinhalation FEV1. The combination of fluticasone, salmeterol, and tiotropium proved superior to the other 2 combinations with respect to both preinhalation FEV1 and postinhalation FEV1 (preinhalation FEV1, 1.32 [0.56] L, [P<.03 in both comparisons]; postinhalation FEV1, 1.49 [0.68] L [P<.001 in both comparisons]). Peak flow rate was also significantly higher with the combination of the 2 bronchodilators (345 L/min compared to 291 L/min and 311 mL, respectively [P <.04 in both cases]). There were no notable side effects. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of improvement in lung function, the combination of salmeterol and tiotropium together with fluticasone is more effective in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD than either of the 2 bronchodilators administered alone.

Eficacia broncodilatadora de la asociación de salmeterol y tiotropio en pacientes con EPOC / Bronchodilator efficacy of combined salmeterol and tiotropium in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJETIVO: Los broncodilatadores continúan siendo los fármacos más eficaces para el control de los síntomas de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC). Recientemente se ha añadido un anticolinérgico de acción larga, el bromuro de tiotropio, al arsenal terapéutico de esta enfermedad. No existen estudios que hayan asociado 2 broncodilatadores de acción sostenida. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido comprobar si la asociación de salmeterol y tiotropio a pacientes con EPOC mejora la función pulmonar respecto a cuando se administran aislados. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Se incluyó en el estudio a 22 pacientes diagnosticados de EPOC (20 varones), con una edad media de 64 años. Se excluyó a los fumadores activos. El volumen espiratorio forzado en el primer segundo (FEV1) medio (± desviación estándar) fue un 43 ± 14% del teórico. Todos los pacientes tenían amplia experiencia en el uso de los dispositivos de inhalación. Se realizaron 3 combinaciones terapéuticas de forma aleatoria durante una semana: a) fluticasona (500 µg/12 h), salmeterol (50 µg/12 h) y placebo; b) fluticasona, tiotropio (18 µg/24 h) y placebo, y c) fluticasona, salmeterol y tiotropio. Al final de cada período se realizó una espirometría forzada entre las 8.30 y las 9.00 h, antes de la inhalación de la combinación y 2 h después de ésta. Durante toda la semana se recogió el pico de flujo matutino inmediatamente antes de la inhalación de los fármacos, dejando 48 h de lavado entre cada asociación. RESULTADOS: Todos los pacientes finalizaron el protocolo. No hubo diferencias significativas en el FEV1 tanto valle como postinhalación con salmeterol y tiotropio (FEV1 valle: 1,17 ± 0,55 frente a 1,19 ± 0,49 l; FEV1 postinhalación: 1,32 ± 0,65 frente a 1,29 ± 0,61 l). En todos los casos el FEV1 postinhalación fue significativamente superior al FEV1 valle. La combinación de fluticasona, salmeterol y tiotropio se mostró superior a las otras 2 tanto en el FEV1 valle como postinhalación (FEV1 valle: 1,32 ± 0,56 l, p < 0,03 en ambos casos; FEV1 postinhalación: 1,49 ± 0,68 l, p < 0,001 en los 2 casos). El pico de flujo también fue significativamente mayor con la combinación de los 2 broncodilatadores (345 frente a 291 l/m y 311 l/m, respectivamente; p < 0,04 en ambos casos). No hubo efectos secundarios reseñables. CONCLUSIONES: La asociación de salmeterol y tiotropio unidos a fluticasona en pacientes con EPOC de grado moderado- grave es más eficaz en términos de mejoría funcional respiratoria que cualquiera de los 2 broncodilatadores dados de forma aislada

OBJECTIVE: Bronchodilators are still the most effective drugs for controlling the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Tiotropium bromide, a longacting anticholinergic drug, has recently been added to the therapeutic arsenal for the disease. To date, there have been no studies combining 2 long-acting bronchodilators. The aim of the present trial was to determine whether the combination of salmeterol and tiotropium improved lung function in COPD patients more than either of them alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients (20 men) diagnosed with COPD, with a mean age of 64 years, were enrolled in this cross-over trial. Active smokers were excluded. Mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 43% (14%) of predicted. All patients were experienced in the use of inhalers. The following 3 therapeutic combinations were randomly assigned to be administered for a 1-week period: a) fluticasone (500 µg/12 h), salmeterol (50 µg/12 h) and placebo; b) fluticasone, tiotropium (18 µg/24 h), and placebo; and c) fluticasone, salmeterol, and tiotropium. At the end of each period, forced spirometry was performed before inhalation of the therapeutic combination (between 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM) and 2 hours after inhalation. Throughout the week, morning peak flow rates measured immediately before inhalation were recorded, and there was a 48-hour wash-out period between each therapeutic combination. RESULTS: All the patients completed the protocol. There were no significant differences in preinhalation or postinhalation FEV1 with salmeterol compared to tiotropium (preinhalation FEV1, 1.17 [0.55] L compared to 1.19 [0.49] L; postinhalation FEV1, 1.32 [0.65] L compared to 1.29 [0.61] L). In all cases postinhalation FEV1 was significantly higher than preinhalation FEV1. The combination of fluticasone, salmeterol, and tiotropium proved superior to the other 2 combinations with respect to both preinhalation FEV1 and postinhalation FEV1 (preinhalation FEV1, 1.32 [0.56] L, [P<.03 in both comparisons]; postinhalation FEV1, 1.49 [0.68] L [P<.001 in both comparisons]). Peak flow rate was also significantly higher with the combination of the 2 bronchodilators (345 L/min compared to 291 L/min and 311 mL, respectively [P <.04 in both cases]). There were no notable side effects. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of improvement in lung function, the combination of salmeterol and tiotropium together with fluticasone is more effective in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD than either of the 2 bronchodilators administered alone

Insuficiencia respiratoria aguda que precisa ventilación mecánica: debut de una miastenia gravis / Acute respiratory failure that needs mechanical ventilation: first manifestation of a myasthenia gravis

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[Multicenter, prospective study comparing enoxaparin with unfractionated heparin in the treatment of submassive pulmonary thromboembolism]. / Estudio multicéntrico, prospectivo, de comparación del tratamiento de la tromboembolia pulmonar submasiva con enoxaparina y heparina no fraccionada.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of enoxaparin and unfractionated heparin in the treatment of submassive pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients with PTE who did not need fibrinolytic treatment were enrolled prospectively. The patients were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups: Group A received enoxaparin (1 mg/kg every 12 hours) and Group B received adjusted doses of unfractionated heparin. The oral anticoagulant therapy was started on confirmation of the diagnosis and continued for 6 months. Incidences of recurrence of thromboembolism and of severe bleeding were assessed at the end of this period. RESULTS: Six patients were withdrawn from the study. Twenty-nine of the 50 remaining patients were in Group A (enoxaparin) and 21 in Group B (unfractionated heparin). A recurrence of thromboembolism was diagnosed in 3 patients from Group A (10.7%) and 2 patients from Group B (9.5%). There were no significant differences. Two patients died, one death being attributed to bleeding secondary to the oral anticoagulant treatment (Group A) and the other to a process unrelated to PTE. CONCLUSIONS: Enoxaparin seems to be as effective and safe as unfractionated heparin in the initial treatment of PTE.

Estudio multicéntrico, prospectivo, de comparación del tratamiento de la tromboembolia pulmonar submasiva con enoxaparina y heparina no fraccionada / Multicenter, prospective study comparing enoxaparin with unfractionated heparin in the treatment of submassive pulmonary thromboembolism

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la eficacia y seguridad del tratamiento de la tromboembolia pulmonar submasiva (TEP) con enoxaparina en comparación con heparina no fraccionada. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Se incluyó en el estudio, de forma prospectiva, a 56 pacientes con TEP que no precisaron tratamiento fibrinolítico. Se asignaron de forma aleatoria a dos grupos de tratamiento: el grupo A, que recibió enoxaprina (1 mg/kg cada 12 h) y el grupo B, al que se le administraron dosis ajustadas de heparina no fraccionada. La anticoagulación oral se inició una vez que el diagnóstico se comprobó y se mantuvo durante 6 meses. Se evaluó la incidencia de recurrencia tromboembólica y de hemorragia mayor al cabo de ese tiempo. RESULTADOS: Seis pacientes fueron excluidos del estudio. De los 50 finalmente incluidos, 29 fueron asignados al grupo A (enoxaparina) y 21 al grupo B (heparina no fraccionada). Tres pacientes del grupo A (10,7 por ciento) fueron diagnosticados de recurrencia tromboembólica, mientras que dicha complicación se constató en dos pacientes del grupo B (9,5 por ciento). No se encontraron diferencias significativas. Dos pacientes fallecieron, siendo una de las muertes achacada a hemorragia secundaria a la anticoagulación oral (grupo A) y la otra a un proceso independiente a la enfermedad tromboembólica. CONCLUSIONES: El empleo de enoxaparina en el tratamiento inicial del TEP parece ser tan efectivo y seguro como el uso de heparina no fraccionada (AU)

[Multiple aspergillomas in a patient with sarcoidosis]. / Aspergilomas múltiples en paciente con sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a disease which occasionally produces severe pulmonary fibrosis. Cystic cavitary lesions, which may or may not be colonized by mycetomas, are seen less often. We describe a patient with long-standing sarcoidosis who developed multiple cystic cavities mainly in the upper lobes. Five mycetomas were counted. We call for the use of high resolution computed tomography in such cases.

[Pulmonary mycetoma]. / Micetoma pulmonar.

Ten cases of pulmonary mycetoma diagnosed in our service between 1985-1992 were retrospectively studied. Clinical methodology followed in the study is commented and the different therapeutic options are reviewed, so the literature concerning this process. The unspecificity of serum precipitins with Aspergillus is emphasised.

[Pleural effusion as the only manifestation of cryptococcosis in an AIDS patient]. / Derrame pleural como única manifestación de criptococosis en un paciente con SIDA.

Cryptococcosis is often seen in immunodeficient patients, including those with AIDS. It usually affects mainly the respiratory tract and central nervous system. We present a rare case of pleural involvement with no sign of disease at other sites. A review of the literature yields only three other similar cases. We discuss the diverse clinical manifestations of cryptococcosis, particularly those found in the respiratory tract.