Benefits of delapril in hypertensive patients along the cardiovascular continuum

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) are the first-line therapy for the treatment of hypertension. However, not all ACEIs are equal. Delapril is a nonsulfhydryl ACEI with unique properties. Delapril has a high lipophilicity and weak bradykinin potentiating action. As a result, delapril has a more potent inhibition capacity of vascular wall angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and a lower incidence of cough than enalapril or captopril. With regard to efficacy, delapril has a long-lasting antihypertensive effect with a trough/peak ratio that is in the upper range of different ACEIs and a positively high smoothness index. Thus, delapril effectively and smoothly reduces blood pressure over 24 h. Moreover, the benefits of delapril are not limited to hypertensive patients, but also in those with microalbuminuria, left ventricular hypertrophy, myocardial infarction or heart failure; delapril appears to be effective and well tolerated.     

Titration of Mechanical Insufflation–Exsufflation Optimal Pressure Combinations in Neuromuscular Diseases by Flow/Pressure Waveform Analysis

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to assess several air-pressure settings for MI–E to determine their effect on peak cough flow (PCF), and to compare the best pressures with those are more common used in the literature (±40 cmH₂O) in patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMD).MethodsAdults with NMD in whom MI–E was indicated were recruited. Assisted PCF was measured by an external pneumotachograph. The protocol included 9 PCF measures per patient: 1 baseline (non-assisted), 4 with increasing inspiratory pressures without negative pressure (10, 20, 30 and 40 cmH₂O or maximum tolerated), and then 4 adding expiratory pressures (?10, ?20, ?30 and ?40 cmH₂O or maximum tolerated) with maximum inspiratory pressure previously achieved.ResultsTwenty one patients were included, 61% with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Mean PCFs with recommended pressures (±40 cmH₂O) were lower than the scored in the individualized steps of the titration protocol (197.7 ± 67 l/min vs 214.2 ± 60 l/min, p < 0.05). Regarding subgroups, mean PCF_max values in ALS patients with bulbar symptoms were significantly higher than those achieved with recommended pressures (163.6 ± 80 vs 189 ± 66 l/min, p < 0.05).ConclusionThe PCF_max obtained with the protocol did not always match the recommended settings. It may be advisable to perform MI–E titration assessed by non-invasive PCF monitoring in patients with NMD, especially in ALS with bulbar involvement to improve the therapy detecting airway collapse induced by high pressures.     

不同细胞类型咳嗽变异型哮喘的临床特征分析

目的比较不同细胞类型的咳嗽变异型哮喘患者的临床特征差别。方法选择2014年12月至2017年3月在本院咳嗽门诊就诊的慢性咳嗽患者,遵循中国慢性咳嗽指南(2015版)诊治流程,在询问病史、临床症状和获得体征的基础上,进行血常规、胸片、肺通气功能+气道反应性、诱导痰细胞学分类等相关检查,依据检查结果和治疗反应,确定病因诊断,筛选出咳嗽变异型哮喘,依据诱导痰细胞学分类计数检查结果进行分组,比较不同细胞类型的成人咳嗽变异型哮喘患者的临床特征差别。结果共收集诊断明确且病因单一的成人咳嗽变异型哮喘患者114例,占所有慢性咳嗽患者的32.95%,其中男性56例(48.7%),女性58例(51.3%)。按细胞类型分类:嗜酸性粒细胞增多型23例(20.2%),中性粒细胞增多型53例(46.5%),寡细胞型14例(12.3%),混合细胞型24例(21.1%);分组比较显示:中性粒细胞增多型年龄最长(P=0.042),而嗜酸性粒细胞增高型患者的FeNo值水平最高(P<0.001);混合细胞型患者咳嗽时间最长(P=0.012),与寡细胞型相比较,混合细胞型患者有明确体育锻炼史(P=0.007)。结论不同细胞类型的成人咳嗽变异型哮喘患者的临床特征存在较明显的差别,可以用于指导临床疾病管理。     

酮替芬治疗感冒后咳嗽的系统评价

目的评价酮替芬治疗感冒后咳嗽临床疗效与安全性。方法检索主要中英文数据库从建库至2015年12月20日酮替芬治疗感冒后咳嗽随机对照试验研究,筛选合格研究。Cochrane评价员手册、Jadad评分法分别进行偏倚风险评价及质量评价。应用Rev Man5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果符合纳入标准的文献共3篇。Meta分析结果显示,酮替芬治疗感冒后咳嗽治疗组与对照组相比,临床疗效总有效率比值比(odds ratio,OR)为9.44,95%可信区间(confidence interval,CI)(2.81,31.70),差异有统计学意义(P=0.0003);不良反应OR为1.94,95%CI(0.40,9.54),差异无统计学意义(P=0.41)。结论酮替芬治疗感冒后咳嗽有显著临床疗效,但仍需更多高质量、大样本的临床研究来进一步验证。     

清肺止咳汤治疗肺热咳嗽32例

目的:探讨清肺止咳汤治疗肺热咳嗽的临床疗效。方法:将62名肺热咳嗽患者随机分为两组,对照组予常规抗感染、止咳化痰治疗,治疗组在常规治疗的同时予以清肺止咳汤治疗。结果:对照组治愈16例,好转8例,未愈6例,总有效率80.00%;治疗组治愈20例,好转10例,未愈2例,总有效率93.75%。结论:清肺止咳汤对治疗肺热咳嗽疗效显著。     

胡思荣辨治咳嗽经验

胡思荣辨治咳嗽,在继承了先贤整体论及辨证论治等核心思想的基础上,务实地补充了自己的新解。临证中擅长运用温病学理论,倡导和调气机的指导思想,从三焦气化功能角度辨证,采用宣降同用,化润并举,上下分消等法论治咳嗽,引入因时参辨,灵活施药,发挥中医"整体观念""辨证论治"之优势,临证思辨,效如桴鼓。     

咳嗽变异性哮喘65例误诊分析

目的探讨咳嗽变异性哮喘(CVA)临床特点和误诊原因,提高其诊断水平。方法对65例CVA患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果 65例患者全部误诊,其中误诊为急性上呼吸道感染25例(38.5%),慢性支气管炎18例(27.7%),急性支气管炎13例(20.0%),慢性咽炎8例(12.3%),过敏性鼻炎1例(1.5%)。治疗1周后,咳嗽基本消失21例(32.3%),明显缓解31例(47.7%),部分缓解13例(20.0%)。结论医师对本病认识不足、基层医院缺少必要的辅助检查是导致误诊的主要原因。     

Pertussis in the central-west region of Brazil: one decade study

In many parts of the world, numerous outbreaks of pertussis have been described despite high vaccination coverage. In this article we report the epidemiological characteristics of pertussis in Brazil using a Surveillance Worksheet. Secondary data of pertussis case investigations reported from January 1999 to December 2008 recorded in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) and the Central Laboratory for Public Health (LACEN-MS) were utilized. The total of 561 suspected cases were reported and 238 (42.4%) of these were confirmed, mainly in children under six months (61.8%) and with incomplete immunization (56.3%). Two outbreaks were detected. Mortality rate ranged from 2.56% to 11.11%. The occurrence of outbreaks and the poor performance of cultures for confirming diagnosis are problems which need to be addressed. High vaccination coverage is certainly a good strategy to reduce the number of cases and to reduce the impact of the disease in children younger than six months.     

Adverse events associated with pediatric exposures to dextromethorphan

Study objective: Dextromethorphan is the most common over-the-counter (OTC) antitussive medication. We sought to characterize adverse events associated with dextromethorphan in children <12 years old from a surveillance program of OTC cough/cold medication exposures.

Methods: This is a retrospective case series of oral exposures to dextromethorphan with ≥1 adverse event from multiple U.S. sources (National Poison Data System, FDA Adverse Event Reporting System, manufacturer safety reports, news/media, medical literature) reported between 2008 and 2014. An expert panel determined the relationship between exposure and adverse events, estimated dose ingested, intent of exposure, and identified contributing factors to exposure.

Results: 1716 cases contained ≥1 adverse event deemed at least potentially related to dextromethorphan; 1417 were single product exposures. 773/1417 (55%) involved only one single-ingredient dextromethorphan product (dextromethorphan-only). Among dextromethorphan-only cases, 3% followed ingestion of a therapeutic dose; 78% followed an overdose. 69% involved unsupervised self-administration and 60% occurred in children <4 years old. No deaths or pathologic dysrhythmias occurred. Central nervous system [e.g., ataxia (N?=?420)] and autonomic symptoms [e.g., tachycardia (N?=?224)] were the most common adverse events. Flushing and/or urticarial rash occurred in 18.1% of patients. Dystonia occurred in 5.4%.

Conclusions: No fatalities were identified in this multifaceted surveillance program following a dextromethorphan-only ingestion. Adverse events were predominantly associated with overdose, most commonly affecting the central nervous and autonomic systems.