Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a valid tool for the assessment of heart failure (HF) through the quantification of the B-lines. This study in HF patients aims to evaluate if LUS: (1) can accelerate the discharge time; (2) can efficiently drive diuretic therapy dosage; and (3) may have better performance compared to the amino-terminal portion of B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels in monitoring HF recovery. A consecutive sample of 120 HF patients was admitted from the Emergency Department (ED) to the Internal Medicine Department (Verona University Hospital). The Chest X-ray (CXR) group underwent standard CXR examination on admission and discharge. The LUS group underwent LUS on admission, 24, 48 and 72 h later, and on discharge. The Inferior Cava Vein Collapsibility Index, ICVCI, and the NT-proBNP were assessed. LUS discharge time was significantly shorter if compared to CXR group (p < 0.01). During hospitalization, the LUS group underwent an increased number of diuretic dosage modulations compared to the CXR group (p < 0.001). There was a stronger association between partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2) and B-lines compared to the association between PaO2 and NT-proBNP both on admission and on discharge (p < 0.001). The B-lines numbers were significantly higher on admission in patients with more severe HF, and the ICVCI was inversely associated with B-lines number (p < 0.001). The potential of LUS in tailoring diuretic therapy and accelerating the discharge time in HF patients is confirmed. Until the technique comes into common use in different departments, it is plausible that LUS will evolve with different facets
Purpose To investigate the role of radiotherapy (RT) in the management of EGFR-or ALK-mutated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with TKI. Materials and methods Clinical data of 106 patients (pts) from five Institutions treated with RT concomitant to TKI were retrospectively revised. Overall survival (OS) and toxicities were analyzed as endpoints of the study. Results Median age of pts was 65 years. TKIs were given for EGFR (81%)-or ALK (19%)-mutated metastatic NSCLC. Stereotactic RT (SRT) was delivered to 49 pts (46%). Patients with four or less metastasis were defined as oligometastatic/ oligoprogressive (OM/OP); sites of RT were brain, bone, lung or others in 46%, 27%, 14% and 13%, respectively. Median OS was 23 months. At univariate analysis SRT, ECOG PS 0-1, OM/OP disease, lung sites and a TKI duration longer than median favorably affected OS (all p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed SRT (HR 0.355, CI 95% 0.212-0.595; p < 0.001) and median duration of TKI > 14 months (HR 0.17, 95% CI 0.10-0.30; p < 0.001) as independent factors related to better OS. Toxicities were rare. Conclusions SRT seems to positively affect OS with limited toxicity in selected patients.
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