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Combined sedation with a benzodiazepine and an opiate has been proposed as standard sedation for bronchoscopy. Propofol is a sedative-hypnotic with a rapid onset of action and fast recovery time, but carries the potential risk of respiratory failure.Consecutive patients (n5200) were randomly allocated to receive either the combination midazolam and hydrocodone or intravenous propofol. The primary end-points were the mean lowest arterial oxygen saturation during bronchoscopy and the readiness-for-discharge score 1 h after the procedure.The mean lowest arterial oxygen saturation during bronchoscopy did not differ across treatment groups (p50.422), and the number of patients recording an arterial oxygen saturation of f90% on at least one occasion was similar in both groups (p50.273). The median (interquartile range) readiness-for-discharge score 1 h after the procedure was significantly higher in the propofol group than in the combined sedation group (8 (6-9) versus 7 (5-9); p50.035). Patients assigned propofol exhibited less tachycardia during bronchoscopy and for o1 h after the examination. Minor procedural complications were noted in 71 (35.5%) patients and exhibited a similar incidence in both treatment arms (p50.460).Propofol is as effective and safe as combined sedation in patients undergoing flexible bronchoscopy, thus representing an appealing option if timely discharge is a priority.

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The clinical significance of minimal acute rejection (grade A1) in lung transplant recipients is unknown. We prospectively analyzed 1,159 transbronchial lung biopsies in 184 patients. Two hundred seventy-nine biopsies in 128 participants confirmed A1 histology at a mean postoperative day of 229 +/- 340. Sixty four of 255 surveillance A1 lesions progressed to high-grade acute rejection by 3 months of follow-up, whereas 40 developed new lymphocytic bronchiolitis. Twenty-four A1 biopsies were symptomatic, with only two cases progressing to high-grade rejection after steroid therapy. Seventy-eight of 184 patients experienced multiple (> or = 2) A1 biopsies in the first 12 months after transplant. Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome developed in 68% of patients with multiple A1 lesions at a mean of 599 +/- 435 days, compared with 43% of patients with one or less A1 lesions at a mean of 819 +/- 526 (p = 0.022). Eighteen patients experienced multiple A1 biopsies after transplant in the absence of high-grade rejection episodes yet also developed earlier obliterative bronchiolitis (456 +/- 245 days, p = 0.020). We conclude that for A1 transbronchial lung biopsies, the conventional treatment of observation only is now challenged even in patients who are asymptomatic. Patients who experience multiple A1 lesions develop an earlier onset of obliterative bronchiolitis and may warrant alternative immunosuppressive strategies.

Malignant airway-oesophageal fistulas (AEF) are a serious complication of advance oesophageal or lung cancer.The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life before and after stent insertion, and to examine the role of treatment and location of AEF as factors influencing survival in AEF patients managed with airway and/or oesophageal stent insertion.112 patients with AEF were included prospectively. 83 (74%) patients had advanced lung cancer and 29 (26%) patients had oesophageal cancers.Airway stents were inserted in 65 (58%) patients, oesophageal stents in 37 (33%) patients, and both airway and oesophageal stents in 10 (9%) patients. Seven (6%) patients developed respiratory failure and required transient ventilator support in the intensive care unit (four patients with airway stenting, two patients with double stents and one patient in the oesophageal stenting group). None of the patients developed stent migration or needed stent repositioning. Overall, mean survival was 236.6 days (airway stent 219.1 days, oesophageal stent 262.8 days and combined airway-oesophageal stent 252.9 days). Backward, stepwise regression revealed the site of stent placement (airway and/or oesophagus; p,0.028), exact location of the fistula in airway (p50.011) and additional treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiation (p,0.001) as independent risk factors predicting increased survival. The mean quality of life score (QoL) was 81 prior to stent insertion and 72 post-stent insertion (p,0.001).Airway and/or oesophageal stent insertion provides an effective approach to improve the QoL in patients with malignant AEF.

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Background: Despite being commercially available for a few years now, the literature regarding the outcome of UltraflexTM stent insertion in complex malignant airway stenoses is sparse. Objectives: To assess long-term complications and survival in patients with complex malignant airway stenoses treated with insertion of nitinol stents. Methods: 60 consecutive patients with UltraflexTM stent insertion for malignant airway stenoses were included. Follow-up was obtained in all patients. Results: 62 UltraflexTM stents (covered = 51, uncovered = 11) were implanted in 60 patients. Diagnoses were bronchial carcinoma (n = 50), esophageal carcinoma (n = 3) and metastases (n = 7). Stents were inserted in the trachea (n = 5), main bronchi/intermediate bronchus (n = 22), from main bronchi/intermediate bronchus to lobar bronchi (n = 28) or in the lobar bronchi themselves (n = 7). Successful reopening of the stenoses and relief were achieved in all patients. There was no procedure-related mortality. Complications included mucous plugging in 8%, stenosing granulation tissue in 5%, tumor ingrowth in 5% and stent migration in 5% of patients. Using Kaplan-Meier estimates, the overall mean survival was 160 days (standard error: 30). Median survival was 91 days. The overall 3- and 6-month survival were 52 and 20%, respectively. Death (n = 59, 98%) was attributed mainly to disease progression with cachexia and metastases, pneumonia (n = 5, 10%), and hemoptysis (n = 1, 2%). Conclusion: UltraflexTM stents have a low complication rate and can be effectively used in complex malignant airway stenoseswith marked asymmetry or irregularity, angulation or changing diameters.

RAD and MMF were the most potent antifibroproliferative drugs and were effective at concentrations achieved clinically, supporting their use for the treatment of patients with early BO. Our method holds promise as an in vitro model to assess the likely in vivo responses of human lung fibroblasts to specific immunosuppressive drugs.