INTRODUCTION Reports describing respiratory function of patients after conventional or minimally invasive cardiac surgery are infrequent. AIM To compare pulmonary functional status after conventional (AVR) and after minimally invasive, through right anterior minithoracotomy, aortic valve replacement (RT-AVR). MATERIAL AND METHODS This was an observational analysis of 212 patients scheduled ...

OBJECTIVE To provide clinical guidelines for office spirometry in South Africa. OPTIONS More stringent guidelines are required for diagnostic laboratories and research. OUTCOMES To minimise variations in standard practice and improve the quality and usefulness of spirometry in the clinical setting. EVIDENCE Recommendations are based on key international publications as well as research pu...

OBJECTIVE To analyze the use and quality of spirometry in primary care settings in Navarre, Spain. PATIENTS AND METHODS A questionnaire was completed simultaneously by professionals responsible for spirometry in all of the primary health care centers in Navarre. Data were collected on availability, model of spirometer, frequency of use, calibration, methods, personnel responsible for testing,...

Introduction: The forced expiratory flow at 25 and 75% of the pulmonary volume/forced vital capacity ratio (FEF25-75/FVC) as a spirometry parameter has been successful in the early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the methacholine challenge test for assessing airway responsiveness.To determine the accuracy of FEF25-7...

BACKGROUND Inhaled glucocorticosteroids (ICS) are first-line anti-inflammatory treatment in asthma, but not in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To restrict ICS use in COPD to cases of severe disease, new terms for reimbursement of drug costs were introduced in Norway in 2006, requiring a diagnosis of COPD to be verified by spirometry. OBJECTIVES To describe how GPs' diagnoses and...

BACKGROUND Preoperative spirometry provides measurable information about the occurrence of respiratory disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the association between preoperative spirometry abnormalities and the intensification of early inflammatory responses in patients following coronary artery bypass graft in extracorporeal circulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 810 p...

STUDY OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether office spirometry by general practitioners (GPs) is feasible and may improve the diagnosis of asthma and COPD. METHODS A prospective, randomized, comparative trial was planned involving 57 Italian pulmonology centers and 570 GPs who had to enroll consecutive subjects aged 18 to 65 years with symptoms of asthma or COPD without a previous diagnosis. Patients...

Introduction. COPD is often diagnosed at an advanced stage because symptoms go unrecognized. Furthermore, spirometry is often not done. Methods. Study was conducted in diverse family medicine practice settings. Patients were targeted if respiratory symptoms were present. Patients had a spirometry to confirm the presence of airflow obstruction and COPD diagnosis. An evaluation of the process was...

BACKGROUND Spirometry evaluation of ventilatory functions plays a critical role in the diagnosis, differentiation and management of respiratory illness such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and restrictive lung disorders. It appears to be underutilized especially by most primary care physicians. AIM This study was aimed at determining the indications for spirometry at a tertia...