Forced Expiratory Volume In 1second Research Articles

Inhalation by Nebulization of Albuterol-Ipratropium Combination (Dey Combination) Is Superior to Either Agent Alone in the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Combination bronchodilator therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) potentially can provide increased benefit over single-agent therapy. The objective of this double-blind, randomized, positive-control trial was to determine the effectiveness of an albuterol-ipratropium solution aerosol combination (Dey combination solution, Dey LP, Napa, Calif., USA) compared with solution aerosols of both component medications administered alone in patients with COPD. The trial consisted of a 6-week, 3-period crossover phase followed by a 6-week parallel phase during which patients self-administered study medications by inhalation from a nebulizer. A total of 863 patients were initially randomized to each of the six possible treatment sequences of the three study medications in the crossover phase and received each study medication in turn for a 2-week period. Patients continued to receive the same treatment administered during the last 2-week period of the crossover phase for an additional 6 weeks in the parallel phase. Assessment of 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV₁) curves before and after dosing on the last day of each 2-week period indicated that the combination was superior to either single agent in peak effect and area under the curve up to 8 h after dosing (FEV₁-AUC_0–8), in both phases of the trial. The use of Dey combination during the crossover phase resulted in 24% more improvement in peak FEV₁ than was seen with albuterol alone (p < 0.001), and 37% more than was seen with ipratropium alone (p < 0.001). Similarly, when examining FEV₁-AUC_0–8, Dey combination resulted in 30% more improvement than was seen with albuterol alone (p < 0.001), and 32% more than was seen with ipratropium alone (p < 0.001). The combination affords a convenient dosing regimen and incorporates enhanced benefit without compromising the safety profile of either component agent.

German Thoracic Research Scholarship 1996: lung volume reduction for endstage pulmonary emphysema at the Washington University of St. Louis.

The Thoracic Research Scholarship 1996 of the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery enabled me to visit Barnes Hospital at the Washington University of St. Louis, USA, from May to July 1996. At that center Prof. J. D. Cooper has established lung-volume reduction surgery as a successful surgical treatment for patients with endstage pulmonary emphysema. The operation is performed using left-sided double-lumen intubation. After opening of the chest and pleura and starting single-lung ventilation the less diseased parts of the second lung collapse due to absorption atelectasis whereas the more diseased portion of the lung stays hyperinflated. Linear staplers buttressed with bovine pericardium are used to resect the diseased parts of the lungs. Approximately 20-30% of the total lung volume can be resected by this way on each side. After inspection of the lungs for air leaks and preparation of pleural tents the pleura is closed bilaterally. Postoperative analgesia is performed via epidural catheter and patients are extubated postoperatively as soon as possible, usually in the operating theatre. 150 bilateral lung-volume reduction procedures for patients with severe emphysema were performed between January 1993 and February 1996 in St. Louis. 6 months postoperatively the 1-second forced expiratory volume had increased by up to 51% and residual volume was reduced by 28%. 70% of patients who required continuous oxygen supply prior to the operation no longer required this measure: the PaO2 had increased by an average of 8 mmHg. These data demonstrate that bilateral lung-volume reduction surgery is a suitable treatment for patients with terminal pulmonary emphysema. Most important for the success of this procedure are clear selection and specific perioperative treatment of the patients.

Respiratory function and immunological status in workers employed in a latex glove manufacturing plant.

A study was performed in 17 female workers employed in a latex glove manufacturing plant. The mean age of these workers was 42 years and the mean duration of their employment was 19 years. The employees were primarily nonsmokers or light smokers. The presence of chronic respiratory symptoms and acute work-related symptoms was recorded for these workers. Ventilatory capacity was measured during the morning work shift by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume curves from which forced vital capacity (FVC), 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and maximum expiratory flow at 50%, and the last 25% of the vital capacity (FEF50, FEF75) were measured. A control group of 17 nonexposed women workers was also studied. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was greater among latex workers than among control confectionary packer workers, varying from 5.9% (vs. 0% in controls) for occupational asthma to 58.8% (vs. 0% in controls) for dyspnea grades 3 or 4. There was also a high prevalence of acute work-related symptoms in this industry, in particular, eye irritation (76.5%), dryness of the nose (70.6%), throat burning (70.6%), dryness of the throat (64.7%), and cough (58.8%). Among exposed workers, measured ventilatory capacity data were significantly lower than among controls, particularly FEF75 (75.1% +/- 10.5%). One of the 17 studied workers (5.9%) had a positive skin reaction to latex and had symptoms compatible with occupational asthma. Our data suggest that in addition to occupational asthma, the manufacture of latex gloves is associated with frequent, nonspecific respiratory findings.

The synergy of low lung function and low body mass index predicting all-cause mortality among older Japanese-American men.

To assess the joint characteristics of low standardized weight and compromised pulmonary function in predicting all-cause mortality. A population-based, prospective cohort study. Oahu Island, Hawaii. Surviving Japanese-American men of the Honolulu Heart Program cohort, 71 to 93 years of age (N = 3059). Body mass index (BMI-weight in kilograms/square of height in meters) and 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) as a percentage of age- and height-predicted FEV1 from the 1991 to 1993 examination of the cohort. Mortality data derived from the ongoing tracking of deaths of the cohort. Relations of selected risk factors among joint levels of BMI (< or = 21, > 21 to < 25, > or = 25 kg/m2) and percent predicted FEV1 (< or = 70%, > 70%) were determined. The impact of these covariates on relations between joint BMI/percent predicted FEV1 levels and subsequent all-cause mortality was assessed. The highest age-adjusted mortality rate (91.9 deaths per 1000 person-years) was noted among men characterized by the joint conditions of percent predicted FEV1 < or = 70% and BMI < or = 21 kg/m2. This rate was 4.0 times the mortality rate of a "healthy" reference group characterized by percent predicted FEV1 > 70% and 21 < BMI < 25 kg/m2. This rate ratio is attenuated to 3.2 upon statistical control for measures of current and past smoking behavior. Among the three strata of BMI, statistical interaction is reflected in a heterogeneity of mortality rate differences (49.7, 21.8, -9.6 deaths/person-year, respectively) and rate ratios (2.18, 1.98, .66, respectively) comparing men with percent predicted FEV1 < or = 70% to > 70%. Joint loss of pulmonary function and relative weight is predictive of subsequent all-cause mortality in excess of additive or multiplicative effects of each condition separately. Smoking behavior may contribute to this observation.

The disablement process in patients with pulmonary disease.

The purposes of this study were (1) to describe the disabilities of patients with pulmonary disease and (2) to examine the relationships among impairments, functional limitations, and disability, as described by the disablement process model. Subjects were 154 patients with chronic pulmonary disease (64% female, 36% male; mean age = 59 years, SD = 14, range = 24-86). Information was abstracted from physical therapy records, including measurements of pulmonary impairment, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), and Functional Status Questionnaire (FSQ) scores. Multivariate analyses were used to examine the relationships among measurements of impairment, 6MWD, and FSQ scores. Mean FSQ scores ranged from 52.6 for instrumental activities of daily living to 83.3 for basic activities of daily living, where 100 represents the highest level of ability. Fifty percent of patients were not working because of health problems. Percentage of predicted 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), oxyhemoglobin saturation, and the ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity were related to 6MWD but not to FSQ scores. The 6MWD was associated with scales of the FSQ, including basic activities of daily living (R2 = .24), instrumental activities of daily living (R2 = .35), and social activity (R2 = .26). Patients entering a pulmonary rehabilitation program have clinically important disabilities. The results support the use of the disablement process model and suggest that different and important information is obtained from measurements of impairment, functional limitation, and disability in patients with pulmonary disease.

Efficacy of Nebulized Ipratropium in Severely Asthmatic Children

Study objective: To determine the effect of adding the nebulized anticholinergic drug ipratropium bromide to standard therapy compared with standard therapy alone for acute severe asthma (peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR] <50% of predicted) in children presenting to the emergency department. Methods: Ninety children aged 6 to 18 years were randomly assigned to two groups in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study performed in the ED of an urban children's hospital. All children received nebulized albuterol solution (.15 mg/kg) every 30 minutes, and all received oral steroids with the second dose of albuterol. Children in group 1 received ipratropium bromide (500 μg/dose) with the first and third dose of albuterol; those in group 2 received saline placebo instead of ipratropium. Pulmonary functions (PEFR and 1-second forced expiratory volume [FEV 1]) and physiologic measurements were assessed every 30 minutes up to 120 minutes. By chance, the baseline values for percent of predicted PEFR and FEV 1 differed between the two groups. Therefore a multivariate model accounting for both time and baseline effects was used to compare the response between groups. Results: On average, and adjusting for baseline measures, children in the ipratropium group had a significantly greater improvement in percent of predicted PEFR than did children in the placebo group at 60 minutes ( P=.02), 90 minutes ( P=.002), and 120 minutes ( P<.0001). The improvement in percent predicted FEV 1 was significantly greater for children in the ipratropium group only at 120 minutes ( P=.013). Nine children (20%) from the ipratropium group and 14 (31.1%) from the control group were admitted ( P=.33, χ 2). There were no significant adverse effects attributable to the ipratropium, and there was no relation between ipratropium use and changes in pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure, or oxygen saturation. Conclusion: We detected significant improvement in pulmonary function studies over 120 minutes in children with severe asthma who were given nebulized ipratropium combined with albuterol and oral steroids, compared with children who received the standard therapy. Further study is needed to determine whether early use of ipratropium decreases the need for hospitalization. [Qureshi F, Zaritsky A, Lakkis H: Efficacy of nebulized ipratropium in severely asthmatic children. Ann Emerg Med February 1997; 29:205-211.]

Respiratory function in shoe manufacturing workers.

A study of respiratory findings was performed on 376 female workers employed in a shoe manufacturing plant. The mean age of the workers was 32 years and the mean duration of their employment was 12 years. These workers were predominantly nonsmokers. Acute and chronic respiratory symptoms were recorded for each worker, and lung function was measured before and after the work shift. Maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves were performed on which forced vital capacity (FVC), 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and flow rates at 50% and the last 25% (FEF50, FEF25) were measured. Significantly higher prevalences of all chronic respiratory symptoms were recorded in exposed compared to control workers; in particular, chest tightness (exposed: 44.7%; control: 0%), dyspnea (exposed: 42.6%; control: 2.0%), and rhinitis (exposed: 46.3%; control: 2.4%) were far more prevalent in workers than in controls. Among the shoe workers, there was also a high prevalence of acute symptoms that developed during the work shift, being most pronounced for nose and throat irritation (61.4%). The prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms increased with duration of employment. Statistically significant across-shift reductions were recorded for all ventilatory capacity tests for the group as a whole. In comparison to predicted, the measured ventilatory capacity parameters were significantly lower for all workers (p < 0.01). Lung function abnormalities increased with duration of employment. Environmental measurements demonstrated that benzene, fur, and synthetic fibers were found at higher than allowable maximal concentrations (Croatian standards). The data suggest that work in the shoe manufacturing industry may be responsible for the development of acute and chronic respiratory impairment.

Airway reactivity in welders: a controlled prospective cohort study.

In a 3-year survey, respiratory symptoms, spirometry, and methacholine reactivity were measured annually in welders (n = 51) and non-welder controls subjects (n = 54) to determine whether welding-related symptoms are associated with accelerated decline in lung function or changes in airway reactivity. In the cross-workshift study, maximal midexpiratory flow rate declined reversibly during a welding day, whereas 1-second forced expiratory volume and forced-vital capacity were unchanged. In the longitudinal study, the welders had significantly more reversible work-related symptoms of cough, phlegm, wheeze, and chest tightness than the non-welder shipyard control subjects. In this group of actively working welders, across-workshift changes in midflow and reversible symptoms were related to the welding occupation, but evidence for chronic irreversible effects on spirometry or airway reactivity was not seen over the 3 years of observation. The short period of observation was not optimal for detecting a chronic effect on lung function. Work practices and engineering controls may be successfully preventing irreversible respiratory effects, but not mild reversible effects, in this group of welders.

Results of 150 consecutive bilateral lung volume reduction procedures in patients with severe emphysema

Between January 1993 and February 1996, we performed 150 bilateral lung volume reduction procedures for patients with severe emphysema. Patients were selected on the basis of severe dyspnea, increased lung capacity, and a pattern of emphysema that included regions of severe destruction, hyperinflation, and poor perfusion. Twenty percent to 30% of the volume of each lung was excised with the use of a linear stapler and bovine pericardial strips attached to buttress the staple line. Patients were between 36 and 77 years old, with an average 1-second forced expiratory volume of 25% of predicted, total lung capacity of 142% of predicted, and residual volume of 283% of predicted. Ninety-three percent of patients required supplemental oxygen, continuously or with exertion. All patients but one were extubated at the end of the procedure. The 90-day mortality was 4%. Hospital stay progressively decreased with experience, and for the last 50 patients the median hospital stay was 7 days. Prolonged air leakage was the major complication. Results at 6 months show a 51% increase in the 1-second forced expiratory volume and a 28% reduction in the residual volume. The Pao 2 increased by an average of 8 mm Hg, and 70% of the patients who had previously required continuous supplemental oxygen no longer had this requirement. The improvements in measured pulmonary function were paralleled by a significant reduction in dyspnea and an improvement in the quality of life. Reevaluation at 1 year and 2 years after operation showed the benefit to be well maintained. We conclude that lung volume reduction offers benefits not achievable by any means other than lung transplantation for highly selected patients with severe emphysema. (J T HORAC C ARDIOVASC S URG 1996;112:1319-30)

Respiratory Findings in Workers Not Exposed to Air Pollutants

The prevalences of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function changes were studied in a group of 806 workers working in a "clean environment." Acute symptoms during the work shift were reported by smokers but were essentially absent in nonsmokers. Chronic respiratory-symptom prevalences were similar to those reported in community-based populations, with smokers experiencing more chronic symptoms than nonsmokers. Baseline lung function measurements indicated no significant differences with values obtained from prediction equations based on community populations. There were significant across-shift increases in all ventilatory capacity tests (forced vital capacity, 1-second forced expiratory volume, and maximum expiratory flow rates at 50% and the last 25% of the vital capacity) varying from +1.9% to +9.8% of the preshift values. Workers older than 40 years of age and those employed for more than 10 years had similar across-shift changes compared with younger workers and those with longer durations of employment. Our data indicate that workers in clean work environments (with the exception of smokers) complain of few acute or chronic respiratory symptoms and have normal lung function. These workers experience increases in lung function across the work shift, probably reflecting normal diurnal variation. Smokers, although significantly more affected than nonsmokers, do not appear to have work-related findings, and smoking appears to be the most significant risk factor for the development of lung disease in unexposed workers. In this study, community-based control data was equivalent to worker control data in unexposed workers.

Airway function and respiratory symptoms in sanitation workers.

The prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and lung-function changes was studied in a group of 81 municipal sanitation workers. In addition, the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function was studied in 65 control workers. There were significantly higher prevalences of all chronic respiratory symptoms among the sanitation workers than among the control workers. Sanitation workers (smokers and nonsmokers) 40 years of age or older had higher prevalences of all chronic respiratory symptoms than younger workers. In addition, sanitation workers (both smokers and nonsmokers) employed for 10 years or longer had significantly higher prevalences of chronic respiratory symptoms than control workers. There was also a high prevalence of acute symptoms, which developed among the sanitation workers during work shifts. Of these symptoms, prevalences were highest for dryness of the nose and throat, followed by throat and eye irritation. Lung-function testing demonstrated significantly diminished forced vital capacity (FVC) and 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) for the 81 sanitation workers compared with control values. These differences only become significant after 10 or more years of employment in the sanitation industry and were not entirely explained by smoking. These differences were smaller and not statistically significant for maximum flow rates at 50% and the last 25% of the vital capacity. Our data suggest that sanitation worker--particularly those with long periods of work exposure--may develop acute and/or chronic respiratory symptoms accompanied by decreases in lung function (primarily FVC and FEV1).

Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Intravenous Ketamine in Acute Asthma

Study objective: To evaluate the efficacy of IV ketamine in the management of acute, severe asthma. Methods: This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial at an urban teaching hospital emergency department involved 53 consecutive patients aged 18 to 65 with a clinical diagnosis of acute asthmatic exacerbation and a peak expiratory flow of less than 40% of the predicted value after three albuterol nebulizer treatments. All patients received oxygen, continuous nebulized albuterol, and methylprednisolone sodium succinate (Solu-Medrol). Patients then received either ketamine hydrochloride in a bolus of .2 mg/kg followed by IV infusion of .5 mg/kg per hour for 3 hours or a placebo bolus and infusion for 3 hours. Because of the occurrence of dysphoric reactions, the bolus dose was lowered to .1 mg/kg after the first 9 patients; the infusion dose was kept the same. Results: The first nine patients were eliminated from analysis. Repeated ANOVA testing on the remaining 44 patients determined significant improvements over time within each treatment group in peak flow (F=3.637, P=.004), Borg score (F=22.959, P=.0001), respiratory rate (F=8.11, P=.0001), and 1-second forced expiratory volume (F=9.076, P=.0001). However, no difference could be detected over time between treatment groups (power, 80%). Patients receiving ketamine gave the treatment a rating of 4.3 on a scale of 1 to 5, whereas those receiving placebo scored their treatment 3.7 ( P=.0285). The hospital admission rate was not different between treatment groups ( P=.1088). Conclusion: IV ketamine at a dose low enough to avoid dysphoric reactions demonstrated no increased bronchodilatory effect compared with standard therapy in treating exacerbations of asthma in the ED. Although there was a slight increase in satisfaction in the ketamine group, no clinical benefit in terms of hospital admission rate was noted. [Howton JC, Rose J, Duffy S, Zoltanski T, Levitt MA: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of intravenous ketamine in acute asthma. Ann Emerg Med February 1996; 27:170-175.]

Use of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Emergency Department Evaluation of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Study objective: The purpose of the study was to compare peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) against 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV 1) as a measure of airway obstruction in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: The participants were patients older than 50 years of age who presented with an acute exacerbation of COPD to the emergency department of a large, urban medical center. Pulmonary function was measured with a computerized Fleisch pneumotachygraphic spirometer before, during, and after treatment. PEFR and FEV 1 were compared both as absolute values and after conversion to percent of predicted normal values (PPVs). Results: Five hundred fifty-six paired sets of measurements of FEV 1 and PEFR were obtained from 199 patients and compared. There was good correlation between PEFR and FEV 1, both in terms of absolute value ( r=.84; P<.0001) and in terms of PPV ( r=.81; P<.0001). Despite good correlation, further analysis revealed that there was not uniformly good agreement between the PPVs for FEV 1 and PEFR. Although the mean difference between the PPVs obtained from the two measurements was only 4.3%, the 95% limits of agreement ranged widely, from -15% to 24%. Conclusion: Although PEFR can be used as an alternative measure of airway obstruction in instances in which FEV 1 is not available, there may be clinically significant discrepancies between the two tests. Measurement of the FEV 1 is preferable because it allows comparison with baseline studies and previously published guidelines. [Emerman CL, Cydulka RK: Use of peak expiratory flow rate in emergency department evaluation of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Ann Emerg Med February 1996;27:159-163.]

Respiratory Rehabilitation, Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in Chronic Airways Disease in Old Age

Respiratory rehabilitation improves exercise capacity and quality of life in younger patients but is untried in the aged. We aimed to: (a) assess repeatability of the 6-minute walk test, factors affecting it and its relation to quality of life in elderly patients with chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD); (b) assess compliance of such patients with an intensive respiratory rehabilitation protocol; (c) pilot the assessment of the effect of respiratory rehabilitation on the 6-minute walk test in these patients. Seventeen subjects with stable, symptomatic COAD were recruited, 15 (six men), 70-89 (mean 76) years, completed the study. Mean (standard deviation) 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) = 49 (5)% predicted. Six-minute walk tests were repeated single-blind, 2-10 days apart. Quality of life was measured using Guyatt respiratory questionnaire. Patients underwent 12 weeks incremental respiratory rehabilitation (x4/day step-ups, unweighed arm raises, inflating balloons). Baseline 6-minute walk was repeatable and was correlated with the log Guyatt dyspnoea score (r = 0.65, p = 0.006). In multiple regression neither age nor FEV1 predicted walk distance: body mass index, maximal expiratory mouth pressure; calorie intake. Mean (SEM) 6-minute walk distance after-rehabilitation was greater than baseline (p = 0.003). Elderly patients with COAD tolerate intensive respiratory rehabilitation and a controlled, blinded study is needed.

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in wool textile workers

Our study investigated a group of 216 wool textile workers (158 women and 58 men). Respiratory symptoms were assessed by questionnaire in wool textile workers and in 130 not exposed (control) workers. Ventilatory capacity was measured in wool workers by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves on Monday before and after the work shift. Forced vital capacity (FVC), 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and flow rates at 50% and the last 25% of the vital capacity (FEF50, FEF25) were measured on the MEFV curves. Analysis of the data demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms in wool workers than in controls, being the highest in wool workers for nasal catarrh (M: 63.8%; F: 44.9%) and for sinusitis (M: 62.1%; F: 43.0%). A high prevalence of acute symptoms, associated with the work shift, was also noted in wool workers. Exposure to wool dust caused significant across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity varying from 1.4% for FEV1 to 9.1% for FEF50. Textile workers exposed to wool for > 10 years in the workplace had similar across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity tests as those with shorter exposures. In a large number of these wool workers, FEF50 and FEF25 were below 70% of predicted normal values. Smokers had acute and chronic lung function changes similar to those of nonsmokers, indicating that smoking did not account for all the respiratory effects seen in wool processing workers. Our data suggest that dust exposures in wool textile mills may be associated with the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function.

The use of expandable metal stents for large airway obstruction in older patients.

To review the indications, management, and outcome of 30 older patients who had expandable metal stents inserted for large airway obstruction. Information was collected retrospectively from case notes about presentation, radiographic appearances, pulmonary function, including arterial oxygen tension, and histology. Survival data were collected by reviewing hospital or General Practice records. Spirometry, peak expiratory flow rate, and blood gases were recorded before and after stent insertion. There was a significant improvement in the patient's mean forced expiratory volume in 1-second (FEV1) and mean peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). The arterial oxygen tension (pO2) increased from 8.6 Kpa to 10.6 Kpa. The mean length of survival for the whole group was just under 5 months. Airway stenting for obstruction provides palliative and functional benefits in these severely disabled patients and a consequent improvement in quality of remaining life.

THERAPEUTICAL DOSES OF SALBUTAMOL INHIBIT THE SOMATOTROPIC RESPONSIVENESS TO GROWTH HORMONE-RELEASING HORMONE IN ASTHMATIC CHILDREN

Purpose of the Study. To determine the effects of therapeutic β2 agonists (specifically salbutamol) on growth hormone (GH) response to growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) in children with asthma. Study Population. Fifteen prepubertal children with asthma, ages 6-11 (average age of 9) with normal or normal short stature were studied. Those with an endocrine abnormality, nutritional deficiency, psychological deprivation, or other systemic disease were excluded. Only those children with known bronchial asthma, who showed a 15% decrease of the 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) with methacholine challenge were included. All patients were asymptomatic, and had not experienced an asthma exacerbation, respiratory infection or allergen exposure in the month preceding the study. No child was on medications. Methods. Subjects were divided into two groups. Both groups had baseline GH response to GHRH determined. After an overnight fast, GH levels were obtained the following morning at -60, 0, and then every 15 minutes until 120 minutes after GHRH administration. Two days following this, Group A received salbutamol (0.125 mg/kg) orally at -60 minutes and GH response to GHRH was remeasured. Group B received aerosolized salbutamol (2 mg over 15 minutes) (details of administration were not specified by the authors). All serum GH levels were measured in duplicate by immunoradiometric assay (sensitivity of 0.1 µg/L). Findings. Basal GH levels were similar in both groups. Orally administered salbutamol (Group A) markedly inhibited GH response to GHRH (peak of 3.7 ± 0.6 vs. 18.6 ± 4.7 g/L). Inhaled salbutamol (Group B), although blunting the GHRH-induced GH response, did so to a lesser extent (peak of 20.0 ± 7.5 vs. 35.8 ± 9.4 g/L, P &amp;lt; .02).

Follow‐up study of respiratory function in Hemp workers

A 3-year follow-up study was performed on 38 women and 28 men from the originally studied textile workers employed in a soft hemp processing mill. Acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity were recorded during the cross-sectional and the follow-up studies. Maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves were obtained on these workers, and forced vital capacity (FVC), 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and flow rates at 50% and at 25% of the VC (FEF50, FEF25) were measured. High prevalences of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms persisted at the follow-up study. In particular, high prevalences of byssinosis were documented at both studies (women: 47.4% and 47.4%; men: 64.3% and 67.9%, respectively). Statistically significant mean across-shift reductions were recorded for all ventilatory capacity tests at the initial study. A large mean annual decline was calculated for FEV1 in women and for all ventilatory capacity parameters in men; these declines were greater for workers with symptoms of byssinosis than for those without. The accelerated decline in FEV1 noted in the women workers, who were predominantly nonsmokers, suggests an independent hemp effect. Exposures in the work environment were measured with Hexhlet filters and revealed very high dust concentrations (mean total: 21.4 mg/m3, 22.4 mg/m3; respirable: 8.4 mg/m3, 9.9 mg/m3) at both initial and follow-up studies. These levels are much higher than those found in mills processing organic materials in North America. Our data demonstrate that work in the hemp industry, particularly in small poorly regulated mills, continues to have deleterious effects on respiratory function.

The Loyola University Lung Transplant Experience

We reviewed our experience with isolated lung transplantation at Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Ill. From April 1990 through June 1992, 33 lung transplantations for end-stage pulmonary disease were performed (30 single lung, three bilateral single lung). Recipient diagnoses include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, alpha 1-antiprotease deficiency, pulmonary fibrosis, primary pulmonary hypertension, Eisenmenger's syndrome, sarcoidosis, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and bronchiolitis obliterans. For patients who underwent transplantation for end-stage obstructive airway disease, we retrospectively reviewed functional indexes before and after transplantation. In addition, the overall survival rate was determined. Successful transplantation resulted in a marked improvement in functional capacity. Single-lung transplantation for end-stage obstructive airway disease resulted in a threefold improvement in the 1-second forced expiratory volume, from 0.49 to 1.64 L. The actual survival for all isolated lung transplant recipients (including both single-lung and bilateral single-lung procedures) was 73%, with a 15% 30-day mortality. Isolated lung transplantation can significantly improve functional capacity as well as the quality of life in patients with end-stage lung disease.

Determinants of the prognosis after a first myocardial infarction in a migrant Japanese population. The Honolulu Heart Program.

Although numerous studies have been published on the prognostic assessment of myocardial infarction, little is known about determinants of the prognosis after a first myocardial infarction, especially regarding the role of standard risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) measured before the development of myocardial infarction. In a prospective study of CHD among men of Japanese ancestry living in Hawaii, 457 patients with a first myocardial infarction (age range, 46 to 84 years) were identified during 20 years of follow-up. The relations of clinical variables and CHD risk factors to mortality in early (< 30 days) and two stages of late (30 days to 5 years and 5 to 10 years) periods after myocardial infarction in these patients were investigated. In multivariate analyses using logistic regression models (for early mortality) and Cox regression models (for late mortality), age at myocardial infarction and severe complications (Killip classes 3 and 4) were independent predictors of both early and late mortality (up to 5 years after myocardial infarction). In addition, ventricular arrhythmias predicted only early mortality, whereas anterior myocardial infarction, radiological evidence of cardiomegaly and/or pulmonary congestion, and intraventricular block predicted only late mortality (up to 5 years after myocardial infarction). Only age was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality more than 5 years after myocardial infarction. After adjusting for age at myocardial infarction and these clinical variables, preinfarction-measured risk factors such as 1-hour postload serum glucose (positively) and 1-second forced expiratory volume (inversely) were significantly associated with late mortality up to 5 years, whereas systolic blood pressure was the only independent predictor of late mortality after 5 years. This study has confirmed the importance of age at myocardial infarction and clinical indicators of complications such as Killip class 3 or 4, radiological evidence of pulmonary congestion, and ventricular arrhythmias or intraventricular block as the prognostic determinants of myocardial infarction. In addition, some of the preinfarction-measured standard risk factors for CHD were found to predict long-term prognosis independent of age and clinical factors.