Natasa Mujovic

Preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Introduction The aim of this study was to assess the effects of preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation (PPR) on preoperative clinical status changes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and net effects of PPR and cancer resection on residual pulmonary function and functional capacity. Material and methods This prospective single group study included 83 COPD patients (62 ±8 years, 85% males, FEV1 = 1844 ±618 ml, Tiffeneau index = 54 ±9%) with NSCLC, on 2–4-week PPR, before resection. Pulmonary function, and functional and symptom status were evaluated by spirometry, 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) and Borg scale, on admission, after PPR and after surgery. Results Following PPR significant improvement was registered in the majority of spirometry parameters (FEV1 by 374 ml, p < 0.001; VLC by 407 ml, p < 0.001; FEF50 by 3%, p = 0.003), 6MWD (for 56 m, p < 0.001) and dyspnoeal symptoms (by 1.0 Borg unit, p < 0.001). A positive correlation was identified between preoperative increments of FEV1 and 6MWD (r s = 0.503, p = 0.001). Negative correlations were found between basal FEV1 and its percentage increment (r s = –0.479, p = 0.001) and between basal 6MWD and its percentage change (r s = –0.603, p < 0.001) during PPR. Compared to basal values, after resection a significant reduction of most spirometry parameters and 6MWD were recorded, while Tiffeneau index, FEF25 and dyspnoea severity remained stable (p = NS). Conclusions Preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation significantly enhances clinical status of COPD patients before NSCLC resection. Preoperative increase of exercise tolerance was the result of pulmonary function improvement during PPR. The beneficial effects of PPR were most emphasized in patients with initially the worst pulmonary function and the weakest functional capacity.

Postoperative complications do not influence the pattern of early lung function recovery after lung resection for lung cancer in patients at risk

BackgroundThe pattern and factors influencing the lung function recovery in the first postoperative days are still not fully elucidated, especially in patients at increased risk.MethodsProspective study on 60 patients at increased risk, who underwent a lung resection for primary lung cancer. Inclusion criteria: complete resection and one or more known risk factors in form of COPD, cardiovascular disorders, advanced age or other comorbidities. Previous myocardial infarction, myocardial revascularization or stenting, cardiac rhythm disorders, arterial hypertension and myocardiopathy determined the increased cardiac risk. The severity of COPD was graded according to GOLD criteria. The trend of the postoperative lung function recovery was assessed by performing spirometry with a portable spirometer.ResultsCardiac comorbidity existed in 55%, mild and moderate COPD in 20% and 35% of patients respectively. Measured values of FVC% and FEV1% on postoperative days one, three and seven, showed continuous improvement, with significant difference between the days of measurement, especially between days three and seven. There was no difference in the trend of the lung function recovery between patients with and without postoperative complications. Whilst pO2 was decreasing during the first three days in a roughly parallel fashion in patients with respiratory, surgical complications and in patients without complications, a slight hypercapnia registered on the first postoperative day was gradually abolished in all groups except in patients with cardiac complications.ConclusionExtent of the lung resection and postoperative complications do not significantly influence the trend of the lung function recovery after lung resection for lung cancer.

Influence of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Lung Function Changes After the Lung Resection for Primary Lung Cancer in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Influence of physiotherapy on the outcome of the lung resection is still controversial. Study aim was to assess the influence of physiotherapy program on postoperative lung function and effort tolerance in lung cancer patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that are undergoing lobectomy or pneumonectomy. The prospective study included 56 COPD patients who underwent lung resection for primary non small-cell lung cancer after previous physiotherapy (Group A) and 47 COPD patients (Group B) without physiotherapy before lung cancer surgery. In Group A, lung function and effort tolerance on admission were compared with the same parameters after preoperative physiotherapy. Both groups were compared in relation to lung function, effort tolerance and symptoms change after resection. In patients with tumors requiring a lobectomy, after preoperative physiotherapy, a highly significant increase in FEV1, VC, FEF50 and FEF25 of 20%, 17%, 18% and 16% respectively was registered with respect to baseline values. After physiotherapy, a significant improvement in 6-minute walking distance was achieved. After lung resection, the significant loss of FEV1 and VC occurred, together with significant worsening of the small airways function, effort tolerance and symptomatic status. After the surgery, a clear tendency existed towards smaller FEV1 loss in patients with moderate to severe, when compared to patients with mild baseline lung function impairment. A better FEV1 improvement was associated with more significant loss in FEV1. Physiotherapy represents an important part of preoperative and postoperative treatment in COPD patients undergoing a lung resection for primary lung cancer.

The Occurrence of New Arrhythmias after Catheter-Ablation of Accessory Pathway: Delayed Arrhythmic Side-Effect of Curative Radiofrequency Lesion?

INTRODUCTION New arrhythmias (NA) may appear late after accessory pathway (AP) ablation, but their relation to curative radiofrequency (RF) lesion is unknown. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors for NA occurrence after AP ablation and to investigate pro-arrhythmic effect of RF. METHODS Total of 124 patients (88 males, mean age 43 +/- 14 years) with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and single AP have been followed after successful RF ablation. Post-ablation finding of arrhythmia, not recorded before the procedure, was considered a NA. The origin of NA was assessed by analysis of P-wave and/or QRS-complex morphology, and, thereafter, it was compared with locations of previously ablated APs. RESULTS Over the follow-up of 4.3 +/- 3.9 years, NA was registered in 20 patients (16%). The prevalence of specific NAs was as follows: atrioventricular (AV) block 0.8%, atrial premature beats 1.6%, atrial fibrillation 5.4%, atrial flutter 0.8%, sinus tachycardia 4.8%, ventricular premature beats (VPBs) 7.3%. Multivariate Cox-regression analysis identified (1) pre-ablation history of pathway-mediated tachyarrhythmias >10 years (HR = 3.54, p = 0.016) and (2) septal AP location (HR = 4.25, p = 0.003), as the independent predictors for NA occurrence. In four NA cases (two cases of septal VPBs, one of typical AFL and one of AV-block) presumed NA origin was identified in the vicinity of previous ablation target. CONCLUSION NAs were found in 16% of patients after AP elimination. In few of these cases, late on-site arrhythmic effect of initially curative RF lesion might be possible. While earlier intervention could prevent NA occurrence, closer follow-up is advised after ablation of septal AP.

Pattern of Response to Bronchial Challenge with Histamine in Patients with Non-Atopic Cough-Variant and Classic Asthma

Background: The aim of this study was to establish whether non-atopic patients with cough variant asthma (CVA) have different pattern of response to direct bronchoconstrictors than non-atopic patients with classic asthma (CA). Method: A total of 170 patients of both sexes with stable CVA and CA were screened for the study and 153 were included. Patients with proven atopy were not included and 17 patients with worsening of their condition or with verified bronchial obstruction during screening were excluded. All included patients performed spirometry and underwent a bronchial challenge with histamine according to long-standing protocol in our laboratory. Results: Significantly higher frequency of bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) was found in patients with CA than in patients with CVA (63.9% vs. 44.9%, respectively; p < 0.05). Sensitivity was significantly lower in patients with CVA (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was found in maximal response and responsiveness. Only patients with positive challenge tests were included in the analysis. Conclusion: Adult non-atopic patients with CVA and CA have a pattern of response to non-specific bronchial stimuli similar to atopic patients with same conditions, with the exception of similar maximal response, which may reflect the efficacy of previous treatment. We believe that further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms involved in airway response to non-specific stimuli in CVA and CA, especially in non-atopic patients. Further studies should also clarify whether this response pattern has any implications on clinical presentation or on treatment options.

Early postoperative changes in lung function after resection for lung cancer - do the complications have influence?

Method Sixty patients undergoing surgical resection (sublobar, lobectomy, and pneumonectomy) for non-small cell lung cancer were included in a prospective, single institution study. Sex, age, stage and type of lung cancer, comorbidities, preoperative values of lung function tests including DLCO and exercise test were analyzed. Postoperative complications were classified as surgical, respiratory and cardiovascular. FEV1 and FVC were measured on postoperative days 1, 3 and 7, regardless of postoperative complications. Results Study encompassed 60 patients (70% male, mean age 60.9 ± 8.4 and 30% female, mean age 56.9 ± 6.5). Mild degree of COPD was noted in 20% and moderate in 35% of patients, according to GOLD classification. All postoperative adverse events, not only major complications were recorded. Respiratory complications occurred in 20%, surgical in 41.7% and cardiac in 19% of patients. Measured postoperative values of FVC% and FEV1% on days 1, 3 and 7 after surgery shoved continuous improvement, with significant difference between the days of measurement, specially days 3 and 7. Values recorded on day 7 did not differ from ppo FEV1%. No difference in early postoperative trend of lung function recovery was noted between patients without and with postoperative complications. However, patients that developed respiratory complications showed significantly lower values of FEV1 and FVC on postoperative day 1. Conclusions Early lung function after resection for lung cancer shows significant improvement despite of postoperative complications.

The appearance of ventricular preexcitation during exercise testing reproduced by dobutamine administration.

A 33‐year‐old woman presented with exercise‐related palpitations after an apparently successful catheter‐ablation of overt midseptal accessory pathway. Post procedure, the electrocardiogram at rest was normal, while the progressive appearance of delta‐wave during treadmill stress testing was recorded. In addition, the occurrence of ventricular preexcitation was reproduced by controlled administration of dobutamine. Detailed understanding of the unusual pathway electrophysiology resulted in specific planning of the second procedure. In the basal state, pacing maneuvers did not demonstrate any evidence of pathway conduction. However, during infusion of dobutamine bidirectional conduction in the right anterior pathway was restored, enabling definitive cure by radiofrequency. (PACE 2010; 33:766–769)