B Fourquet | PubMed Health

PubMed1999

[Interstitial lung disease induced by timolol eye solution].

Timolol maleate is a beta-blocker widely used in topical administration for open angle glaucoma. We report a case of interstitial pneumopathy which developed in a 58-year-old patient who was given timolol eyedrops (2 drops b.i.d. since 1986). The patient presented with cough and dyspnea and was found to have a restrictive disorder leading to hypoxemia (68 mmHg at rest and 51 mmHg during exercise). Bronchial lavage fluid had high lymphocyte (28%) and neutrophil (7%) counts. Transbronchial biopsies demonstrated moderate fibrous thickening of the interalveolar walls. Timolol eyedrops were stopped. Three months later, the patient was asymptomatic with normal lung function, chest x-ray and thoracic CT-scan.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Preliminary report and indications of assisted ventilation at home (author's transl)].

Two uses of intermittent positive pressure can be distinguished: one supports inhalotherapy and the other longterm assisted ventilation. The apparatus can be connected to the patient either through mouth-piece or by tracheostomy. The main factors involved in the indication of assisted ventilation are the number of acute failures, hypoxemia, hypercapnia, cor pulmonale. In our department, 53 patients were kept under prolonged supervision before a decision was made to use assisted ventilation or not. This attitude seems absolutely necessary. An oxygen test of several hours provides very useful information. Finally, the authors review the indication of various ventilation methods (tracheostomy, oral) in relation to different chronic respiratory insufficiency etiologies (ie., chronic obstructive broncho-pneumonia, restrictive syndrome).

Home Nursing↗