Respiratory function changes after asbestos pleurisy.

Respiratory function changes after asbestos pleurisy.

Six patients with radiographic evidence of diffuse pleural thickening after industrial asbestos exposure are described. Five had computed tomography of the thorax. All the scans showed marked circumferential pleural thickening often with calcification, and four showed no significant evidence of intrapulmonary fibrosis (asbestosis). Lung function testing showed reduction of the inspiratory capac...

Respiratory function after pneumonectomy.

Longitudinal changes in pulmonary function of asbestos workers.

OBJECTIVE To observe the longitudinal changes in pulmonary function associated with exposure to asbestos in a group of highly exposed workers. METHODS Pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLco) and spirometry of 243 Chinese asbestos workers were measured and remeasured after 5 and 10 yr. Their annual changes in relation to cumulative asbestos exposure and asbestosis were determined using multivariat...

Changes in respiratory mechanics after tracheostomy.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of tracheostomy on respiratory mechanics and work of breathing (WOB). DESIGN A before-and-after trial of 20 patients undergoing tracheostomy for repeated extubation failure. SETTING Surgical intensive care unit at a university teaching hospital and a level I trauma center. PATIENTS A consecutive sample of 20 patients who met extubation criteria (Pa(O2), ...

Respiratory conditions in Malaysian asbestos cement workers.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and type of respiratory conditions including asbestos-related diseases among Malaysian asbestos cement workers. The study population consisted of 1164 workers who had undergone medical surveillance from 1995 to 1997, including full history, physical examination, chest radiography and spirometry. More than half the male workers we...