AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY (ATS) JOURNAL NEWS TIPS FOR MAY
LOW ONE YEAR SURVIVAL ASSOCIATED WITH PROLONGED VENTILATION
A study of outcomes over a one-year period for 133 patients who required more than two weeks of mechanical ventilation showed that these sick persons had very low survival rates. During an average stay of 63 days in a long-term acute care hospital, 50 percent of the patients died. At the end of one year, 77 percent (103) of the original 133 patients had died in either acute care or long-term care facilities. Of the 30 one-year survivors, 8 percent (11 patients) were fully functional, whereas 19 had a major reduction in functional capabilities. The research appears in the May issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
COMPREHENSIVE NEW ATS REPORT ON PULMONARY REHABILITATION
A comprehensive new report from the ATS focuses on pulmonary rehabilitation as an integral part of the clinical management and health maintenance activities of patients with chronic respiratory disease. Designed for patients who either are still symptomatic or who still have decreased function despite standard medical management, pulmonary rehabilitation attempts to reduce symptoms, decrease disability, increase participation in social and physical activities, and improve the person's overall quality of life. The patients achieve their goals by participating in exercise training, through patient and family education, and by psychosocial and behavioral intervention. The comprehensive report appears in the May issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
NEW ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR LUNG CANCER RESECTION
A new assessment tool for lung cancer patients undergoing resection led to a 50 percent reduction in complications following surgery for tumor removal. After screening 137 patients, Swiss researchers deemed five persons inoperable. Postoperative complications affected 15 patients, with two dying. Although they reduced the complication rate by 50 percent, the investigators had the same percentage of inoperable patients as in a previous series. The study appears in the May issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
For the complete text of the articles, see the ATS Journal Online Website at www.atsjournals.org. To request complimentary journalist access to the site, or to be put on a mailing list for monthly ATS Media Memo and News Briefs, please contact Lori Atkins at (212) 315-6442, by fax at (212) 315-6455, or by e-mail at [email protected].
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