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Background CT scan measures of emphysema and airway disease have been correlated with lung function in cohorts of subjects with a range of COPD severity. The contribution of CT scan-assessed airway disease to objective measures of lung function and respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea in severe emphysema is less clear. Methods Using data from 338 subjects in the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) Genetics Ancillary Study, densitometric measures of emphysema using a threshold of −950 Hounsfield units (%LAA-950) and airway wall phenotypes of the wall thickness (WT) and the square root of wall area (SRWA) of a 10-mm luminal perimeter airway were calculated for each subject. Linear regression analysis was performed for outcome variables FEV 1 and percent predicted value of FEV 1 with CT scan measures of emphysema and airway disease. Results In univariate analysis, there were significant negative correlations between %LAA-950 and both the WT ( r = −0.28, p = 0.0001) and SRWA ( r = −0.19, p = 0.0008). Airway wall thickness was weakly but significantly correlated with postbronchodilator FEV 1 % predicted (R = −0.12, p = 0.02). Multivariate analysis showed significant associations between either WT or SRWA (β = −5.2, p = 0.009; β = −2.6, p = 0.008, respectively) and %LAA-950 (β = −10.6, p = 0.03) with the postbronchodilator FEV 1 % predicted. Male subjects exhibited significantly thicker airway wall phenotypes (p = 0.007 for WT and p = 0.0006 for SRWA). Conclusions Airway disease and emphysema detected by CT scanning are inversely related in patients with severe COPD. Airway wall phenotypes were influenced by gender and associated with lung function in subjects with severe emphysema.

To evaluate correlations between improvement in quality of life (QOL) in patients with severe COPD before and after they undergo lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) with changes in pulmonary function tests, gas exchange, exercise performance, and alterations in medical management.Case-series analysis.University hospital.Forty-two patients (mean [+/- SD] age, 56+/-8 years; 53% women) with severe airflow obstruction (FEV(1), 0.62+/-0.2 L), and moderate to severe hyperinflation (total lung capacity [TLC], 6.9+/-1.7 L).All patients underwent bilateral LVRS via median sternotomy. Measurements of lung function, symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing, the total distance the patient was able to walk in 6 min in a corridor, and sickness impact profile (SIP) scores were made before and 3 months after LVRS. SIP scores are inversely proportional to the level of function and QOL.Compared to baseline, FEV(1) increased (0.87+/-0.3 vs. 0.62+/-0.2 L, respectively; p0.01) while residual volume significantly decreased (3.2+/-1.8 vs. 6.3+/-1.2 L, respectively; p0.004) at 3 months post-LVRS. On cardiopulmonary exercise testing, values increased from baseline to post-LVRS for total exercise time (9.0+/-2.2 vs. 6.0+/-1.5 min, respectively; p = 0.045), maximum oxygen uptake (VO(2)) (16+/-3 vs. 11+/-2 mL/kg/min, respectively; p = 0.01), and maximum minute ventilation (VE) (33+/-9 vs. 28+/-5 L/min, respectively; p = 0.03). The percentage change in the oxygen cost of breathing (VO2/VE ratio) from low to high workloads during exercise was significantly lower after LVRS (p = 0.002). There was no significant change in oxygenation after LVRS (PaO(2)/fraction of inspired oxygen, 331+/-27 vs. 337+/-39, respectively; p = 0.76), but PaCO(2) tended to be lower (41+/-9 vs. 48+/-6 mm Hg, respectively; p = 0.07). Overall SIP scores were significantly lower after LVRS than before (8+/-4 vs. 15+/-2, respectively; p = 0.002). Changes in SIP scores correlated with the change in VO2/VE ratio from low to high workloads, with patients having the smallest changes in VO2/VE ratio having the smallest changes in SIP scores after LVRS (r = 0.6; p = 0.01). Improved or lower SIP scores also tended to correlate with a reduction in residual volume/TLC ratio (r = 0.45; p = 0.09), and there was a linear correlation with a statistically significant Pearson r value with decreased steroid requirements (r = 0.7; p = 0.001). Moreover, changes in psychological SIP subscore tended to correlate with diminished oxygen requirements post-LVRS (r = 0.45; p = 0.09). However, there was no significant correlation between changes in SIP scores and routine measurements of lung function, exercise performance, or gas exchange.There is an association between an improvement in QOL and reduced hyperinflation after LVRS. Reduced hyperinflation may lead to more efficient work of breathing during exercise and, therefore, to an increased ability to perform daily activities. Changes in QOL scores correlate best with behaviorally based variables that directly affect the patient's well-being, such as systemic steroid administration.

Study objectives We sought to investigate the effectof lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) on regional lungventilation. Design Retrospective analysis ofroutinely acquired data before and after LVRS. Setting Large, urban, university medical center. Patients Twenty-nine patients with severe emphysema. Intervention Bilateral LVRS. Measurements and results 133 Xe washout curves during lungscintigraphy exhibit a biphasic pattern (the first component of thewashout curve [m r ] corresponds to an initial rapidphase in washout that reflects larger airways emptying, and the secondcomponent [m s ] reflects a slower phase of washout that isattributed to gas elimination via smaller airways). We analyzed sixstandardized regions of the lung (upper, mid, and lower zones of theright and left lung), and calculated m r and m s for each lung region. The mean (± SE) baseline FEV 1 was0.69 ± 0.04 L, total lung capacity (TLC) was 139 ± 4% predicted, and the residual volume (RV)/TLC ratio was 65 ± 2%. The meanimprovement in FEV 1 3 months post-LVRS was 38%. Post-LVRS,m r and m s increased in 79 and 74 lung regions, respectively, and there was no relationship with respect to lungregions that had or had not been operated on. The increase inm s , however, significantly correlated with the increase in, FEV 1 ( r = 0.66; p r = −0.67; p s also correlated with a decrease in, Pa co 2 ( r = −0.39;p = 0.03), but m r showed no relationship with anyparameter. Conclusions Small airways ventilation inlung regions that had and had not been operated on is associated with agreater improvement in lung mechanics following, LVRS.

Study objectives Hyperinflation in patients with severe COPD is associated with an increased anteroposterior (AP) rib cage diameter. We sought to determine whether bilateral lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) affects bony thorax configuration. Design Prospective of clinical data collection before and after LVRS. Setting Tertiary-care university medical center. Patients We measured multiple AP and transverse thoracic diameters, by using plain chest roentgenograms (CXRs) in 25 patients (11 men, 14 women), and thoracic CT scans in 14 patients (7 men, 7 women), preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. A subgroup of 7 patients (reference data) also had CXR thoracic diameter measurements made, using films obtained previously within a year of their presurgical evaluation. Another subgroup of 10 patients had CT scan measurements also made 12 months postoperatively. Measurements and results CXR dimensions were taken at the level of the manubrium sterni (M) and thoracic T7 and T11 levels. CT dimensions were taken at T4, T6, T8, and T10 levels. At each level, left (L), midsagittal (C), and right (R) AP and maximal transverse diameters were measured. The sum of the three AP diameters (Total) was used for calculations. Patients also underwent tests such as spirometry, lung volumes, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), and transdiaphragmatic pressures during maximum static inspiratory efforts (Pdimax sniff) measured before and 3 months after LVRS. Patients were (mean ± SD) 58 ± 8 years old, with severe COPD and hyperinflation (FEV 1 , 0.68 ± 0.23 L; FVC, 2.56 ± 7.3 L; and total lung capacity[TLC], 143 ± 22% predicted). After LVRS, AP diameters were reduced at thoracic level T7 (from 24.2 ± 2.0 cm to 23.3 ± 2.2 cm, p = 0.0002), and transverse diameters were reduced at T7 (from 26.8 ± 1.9 cm to 26.4 ± 1.7 cm, p = 0.001) and T11 (from 29.9 ± 2.2 cm to 29.5 ± 2.2 cm, p = 0.03), as measured using the CXR. In contrast, thoracic diameters were similar in subjects with CXRs before LVRS and within 1 year before evaluation. CT-measured AP diameters were significantly reduced 3 months after LVRS at T6, (from 48.8 ± 6.0 cm to 46.7 ± 5.4 cm, p = 0.02), T8 (from 54.2 ± 7.0 cm to 52.3 ± 6.5 cm, p = 0.004), and T10 (from 53.8 ± 7.5 cm to 51.2 ± 8.0 cm, p = 0.001), but not at T4. These AP diameter reductions directly correlated with the postoperative reductions in TLC and residual volume, and also with the increases in Pdimax sniff and 6MWD after LVRS. The reduction in AP diameters at thoracic levels T8 and T10 seen 3 months after LVRS remained stable at 12-month follow-up, whereas those measured at T6 lost statistical significance. CT-measured transverse diameters were unchanged at all levels after LVRS. Conclusions We conclude that LVRS decreases mid-to-lower AP rib cage diameter as assessed by CXR and thoracic CT. Although transverse diameters were reduced on CXR, the magnitude was small and was not confirmed with CT. After LVRS, AP diameter reductions are most likely the result of reduction in lung volume, and they are associated with improvements in diaphragm strength and exercise endurance.

Postpneumonectomy syndrome has only been described after a right pneumonectomy except in cases of congenital mediastinal anomalies or right-sided aortic arch. Placement of Silastic prostheses into the empty hemithorax is the preferred surgical treatment; however, other nonsurgical options exist. Herein, we report a case of left postpneumonectomy syndrome in an adult who was successfully treated with the placement of an endobronchial stent.

Coronary artery aneurysm formation is a well-known and widely reported complication of Kawasaki disease with the incidence ranging from 15 to 25%.1 Most aneurysms are small and, in general, are associated with a favorable prognosis. In contrast, giant aneurysms (>8 mm in diameter) are associated with higher morbidity and mortality, despite antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy.2 Systemic urokinase has been used to treat coronary artery thrombosis of these aneurysms, but with limited success.3 Coronary artery bypass graft surgery currently appears to be the most effective therapy for ongoing ischemia, but serious limitations exist.4 Although cardiac transplantation now is used widely to treat a number of lethal cardiac diseases affecting children, this therapeutic approach has not been reported in the management of coronary involvement in Kawasaki disease.