Anne-Kathrin Brill

Effect and safety of mycophenolate mofetil in chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis - a retrospective study

Background: Treatment of chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis (CPS) is challenging and often requires long-term therapy with systemic corticosteroids and supplementary use of steroid-sparing agents. Objective: To examine the efficiency and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as a steroid-sparing agent in patients with CPS. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with biopsy-proven pulmonary sarcoidosis, who were treated with MMF and systemic corticosteroids for >6 months between 2004 and 2010. Corticosteroid dose, pulmonary function parameters and radiological and clinical follow-up before and after treatment with MMF were assessed. Results: Ten patients received MMF for >6 months. MMF was introduced due to side effects (5/10 patients) and due to an inadequate response to prior therapy (5/10 patients). Median duration of treatment with MMF was 31 months (range 8-66). Therapeutic MMF plasma trough levels of 1-3 mg/l were reached with daily doses of 1,722 ± 440 mg MMF. Daily corticosteroid dose could be significantly reduced from 14.3 ± 13.3 to 6.5 ± 2.3 mg prednisolone during treatment. During follow-up, pulmonary function, symptoms and radiological signs improved in 4 patients, while 6 patients remained stable. Median change in FVC was +8.5 % (range -2 to 16). No severe adverse events that were related to combined immunosuppressive therapy occurred. Conclusion: This study indicates that the addition of MMF to corticosteroids is a viable and safe treatment option in CPS. MMF allows a significant reduction of maintenance corticosteroids to levels <10 mg/day while preserving a stable or improved clinical condition.

Adaptive servo-ventilation as treatment of persistent central sleep apnea in post-acute ischemic stroke patients

BACKGROUND Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) is a well-established treatment of central sleep apnea (CSA) related to congestive heart failure (CHF). Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness and adherence in patients with CSA of other etiologies, and even less is known about treatment of CSA in patients of post ischemic stroke. METHODS A single-centre retrospective analysis of ASV treatment for CSA in post-acute ischemic stroke patients without concomitant CHF was performed. Demographics, clinical data, sleep studies, ventilator settings, and adherence data were evaluated. RESULTS Out of 154 patients on ASV, 15 patients had CSA related to ischemic stroke and were started on ASV a median of 11 months after the acute cerebrovascular event. Thirteen out of the 15 patients were initially treated with continuous positive airway pressure (11/15) and bilevel positive airway pressure (2/15) therapy with unsatisfactory control of CSA. ASV significantly improved AHI (46.7 ± 24.3 vs 8.5 ± 12/h, P = 0.001) and reduced ESS (8.7 ± 5.7 vs 5.6 ± 2.5, P = 0.08) with a mean nightly use of ASV of 5.4 ± 2.4 h at 3 months after the initiation of treatment. Results were maintained at 6 months. CONCLUSION ASV was well tolerated and clinically effective in this group of patients with persistent CSA after ischemic stroke.

CPAP as treatment of sleep apnea after stroke: A meta-analysis of randomized trials

Objective To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in stroke patients with sleep disordered breathing (SDB). Methods In a systematic literature search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library) from 1980 to November 2016, we identified RCTs that assessed CPAP compared to standard care or sham CPAP in adult patients with stroke or TIA with SDB. Mean CPAP use, odds ratios (ORs), and standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated. The prespecified outcomes were adherence to CPAP, neurologic improvement, adverse events, new vascular events, and death. Results Ten RCTs (564 participants) with CPAP as intervention were included. Two studies compared CPAP with sham CPAP; 8 compared CPAP with usual care. Mean CPAP use across the trials was 4.53 hours per night (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.97–5.08). The OR of dropping out with CPAP was 1.83 (95% CI 1.05–3.21, p = 0.033). The combined analysis of the neurofunctional scales (NIH Stroke Scale and Canadian Neurological Scale) showed an overall neurofunctional improvement with CPAP (SMD 0.5406, 95% CI 0.0263–1.0548) but with a considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 78.9%, p = 0.0394) across the studies. Long-term survival was improved with CPAP in 1 trial. Conclusion CPAP use after stroke is acceptable once the treatment is tolerated. The data indicate that CPAP might be beneficial for neurologic recovery, which justifies larger RCTs.

Sleep-disordered breathing: clinical features, pathophysiology and diagnosis.

In recent decades, the association between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases (including hypertension, coronary heart disease and stroke) has been the focus of interest of both clinicians and researchers. A growing concern is the increasing prevalence of SDB in the general population, which can be partly explained by the rise in obesity prevalence and population aging, as well as by the development of enhanced diagnostic tools and approaches. Because of evidence of adverse long-term effects of SDB on cardiovascular morbidity and overall mortality, systematic screening for SDB should be considered for populations at risk. The evidence of a long-term benefit of treatment for SDB, however, is still controversial and the best management approaches are still unclear. This article summarises available epidemiological data and focuses on the main pathophysiological mechanisms linking SDB to cardio- and cerebrovascular disorders. We will also give a critical overview of the current diagnostic procedures. The available treatment approaches and their prognostic effects on cardio- and cerebrovascular health will be discussed in a second paper.

A red flag in sarcoidosis: laryngeal obstruction.

with these measures there is always the risk of irreversible damage to the vocal cords, potentially causing permanent changes in vocal tone and phonation. Today, after 18 months of treatment the patient is doing well and FEV 1 remains stable in the range of 2.9–3 liters (78–80% of predicted value). Laryngeal involvement in sarcoidosis causing upper airway obstruction is rare but potentially life-threatening. Thus, new onset dyspnea, stridor and typical lung functional limitations should be considered as a red flag in sarcoidosis as treatment options need to be evaluated immediately [2] to prevent tracheotomy.

Sleep-Wake Disorders in Stroke—Increased Stroke Risk and Deteriorated Recovery? An Evaluation on the Necessity for Prevention and Treatment

Purpose of ReviewSleep-wake disorders (SWD) are common not only in the general population but also in stroke patients, in whom SWD may be pre-existent or appear “de novo” as a consequence of brain damage. Despite increasing evidence of a negative impact of SWD on cardiocerebrovascular risk, cognitive functions, and quality of life, SWD are insufficiently considered in the prevention and management of patients with stroke. This narrative review aims at summarizing the current data on the bidirectional link between SWD and stroke.Recent FindingsSeveral studies have demonstrated that sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is an independent risk factor for stroke and has a detrimental effect on stroke recovery. Short and long sleep duration and possibly other SWD (e.g., insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders) may also increase the risk of stroke and influence its outcome. Data on SDB treatment increasingly indicate a benefit on stroke risk and evolution while treatment of other SWD is still limited.SummaryA systematic search for SWD in stroke patients is justified due to their high frequency and their negative impact on stroke outcomes. Clinicians should actively consider available treatment options.

A 58-Year-Old Man With Position-Dependent Nocturnal Dyspnea

CASE PRESENTATION A 58-year-old man with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, who had received a right-sided single-lung transplant 2 years earlier, was referred to the sleep clinic for the assessment of nocturnal position-dependent episodes of dyspnea and frequent arousals when lying on his right side. There was no subjective worsening of daytime respiratory symptoms, but he complained of fatigue and unrefreshing sleep. His Epworth Sleepiness Scale score was 12/24. After lung transplantation he had a favorable course while receiving immunosuppression with prednisolone, everolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil. In addition, he had received diagnoses of stable coronary artery disease and moderate chronic kidney failure.

Assessment of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in Primary Care

Obstructive sleep apnea is highly prevalent in the general population, but still the majority of patients remain undiagnosed and untreated. In primary care the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea should be considered in many clinical situations, especially if risk factors or typical comorbidities are present. Sleep history, daytime complaints and clinical examination in combination with screening questionnaires and screening sleep studies can help to confirm the diagnosis.

Volkskrankheit obstruktive Schlafapnoe – wen abklären und wie?

Obstructive sleep apnea is highly prevalent in the general population, but still the majority of patients remain undiagnosed and untreated. In primary care the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea should be considered in many clinical situations, especially if risk factors or typical comorbidities are present. Sleep history, daytime complaints and clinical examination in combination with screening questionnaires and screening sleep studies can help to confirm the diagnosis.

When “High” Is not Very High: High Altitude Pulmonary Edema as First Manifestation of Sarcoidosis-Related Pulmonary Hypertension

High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a life-threatening complication of high altitude stay, which may occur above altitudes of 2500 m. This is a case report of a healthy 41-year-old man, presenting with recurrent HAPE at moderate altitude. Medical work-up revealed an idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH), and specific vasoactive treatment was started. Despite treatment with an endothelin receptor antagonist, the patient deteriorated clinically. Subsequent medical reevaluation showed a significant progress of mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Due to the histological proof of sarcoidosis, the initial diagnosis of PAH had to be changed to sarcoidosis-related pulmonary hypertension. Initiation of immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids led to significant and clinically relevant decrease in pulmonary artery pressure, even allowing episodes of asymptomatic re-exposure to moderate altitude. This case describes HAPE as first manifestation of a sarcoidosis-related pulmonary hypertension with a very unusual and early presentation of the underlying disease in an apparently healthy mountaineer.