PURPOSE The objective of this study was to review studies systematically, in which the acute effects of noninvasive ventilatory support (NIVS) during exercise were evaluated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, a quantitative analysis was performed on the effects of NIVS on exertional dyspnea and exercise endurance. METHODS Literature was searched in ele...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the responsiveness of the 3-minute constant rate step test (3-MST) to detect the relief of exertional dyspnea (respiratory discomfort) after acute bronchodilation in COPD patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 40 patients with moderate-to-severe COPD (mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second: 45.7 (±14.7), % predicted) performed four 3-MSTs...

Exertional oscillatory ventilation (EOV) is an ominous prognostic sign in chronic heart failure (CHF), but little is known about the success of specific therapeutic interventions. Our aim was to study the impact of an exercise training on exercise capacity and cardiopulmonary adaptation in stable CHF patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and EOV. 96 stable CHF patients with EOV we...

Heatstroke is the most severe form of the heatrelated illnesses and is caused by an excessive rise in deep body temperature due to thermoregulatory failure. It is characterized primarily by hyperthermia usually with core temperature above 40.6o C (105o F), central nervous system dysfunction, metabolic derangement and coma. Heat stroke is the least common but most serious form of heat disorder. ...

The efficacy of oral enoximone, a new positive inotropic and vasodilator agent, was assessed in 12 patients with chronic congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class II or III) in a double-blind randomized crossover comparison with placebo. Duration of each treatment was 6 weeks and the dose of enoximone was 150 mg tid. Efficacy was assessed by exercise tolerance, symptoms,...

Static and dynamic hyperinflation is an important factor of exertional dyspnea in patients with severe COPD. This proof-of-concept intervention trial sought to study whether laughter can reduce hyperinflation through repetitive expiratory efforts in patients with severe COPD. For small groups of patients with severe COPD (n = 19) and healthy controls (n = 10) Pello the clown performed a humor i...

Despite major advances in the past two decades in drugs to improve the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), the quality of life of these patients is still quite poor. Patients with congestive heart failure are limited by exertional dyspnoea, which persists even after resolution of pulmonary oedema. The origin of the dyspnoea is complex. Among the many potential explanations p...

A fit 18 year old rugby player presented with a four month history of progressive exertional breathlessness, preceded by an unremarkable flu-like illness. There was no response to inhaled â2-agonist, oral theophylline, or inhaled corticosteroids. At assessment, he was breathless on minimal exertion with wheeze. He had never smoked cigarettes. There was no family history of chest disease. He had...

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis, a multisystem disease characterized by cystic lung lesions can result in respiratory failure and is considered to be sex hormones related. No effective treatment for lymphangioleiomyomatosis is currently available. We report a 35-year-old patient in her second pregnancy. She also had experienced five episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax at the age of 30. Despite excess...

Activity-related dyspnoea is often the most distressing symptom experienced by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and can persist despite comprehensive medical management. It is now clear that dyspnoea during physical activity occurs across the spectrum of disease severity, even in those with mild airway obstruction. Our understanding of the nature and source of dyspnoea...