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Biomedical subjects

Federico Venuta

Publications and source records attributed to Federico Venuta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Successful treatment with one-way endobronchial valve of large air-leakage complicating narrow-bore enteral feeding tube malposition.

Tracheopulmonary intubation is the most common misplacement site for narrow-bore feeding tube and it might be associated with severe pleuro-pulmonary complications. A 38-year-old female with a severe bilateral pneumonia and acute respiratory insufficiency was admitted in the ICU, intubated, and mechanically ventilated. Few hours after the insertion of a narrow-bore feeding tube the patient's oxygen saturation dropped with hypotension and tachycardia. A large left-side hydropneumothorax developed requiring a chest tube. Air-leakage was important and bronchoscopic implant of one-way endobronchial valve was accomplished. Immediate and substantial decrease of air-leakage was observed, and it completely stopped after 5 days; as soon as the patient was extubated. Endobrochial one-way valve, specifically designed for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction, resulted in being safe and effective to control a significant and prolonged air-leakage due to a malposition of a narrow-bore feeding tube.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Intrapleural intercostal nerve block associated with mini-thoracotomy improves pain control after major lung resection.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively assess the impact of intrapleural intercostal nerve block (IINB) associated with mini-thoracotomy on postoperative pain and surgical outcome after major lung resections. METHODS: Between January 2004 and February 2005, we randomly assigned 120 consecutive patients undergoing mini-thoracotomy (10-13 cm) for major lung resections, to receive or not IINB from the 4th to the 8th space at the moment of thoracotomy using 20 ml (7.5 mg/ml) ropivacain injection at the dose of 4 ml for each space. Postoperative analgesia consisted of continuous intravenous infusion of tramadol (10 mg/h) and ketoralac tromethamine (3 mg/h) for 48 h for all patients. RESULTS: The two groups (60 patients each) were comparable for age, sex, pulmonary function, type and duration of the procedure. Mortality and morbidity were 0% and 10%, respectively, for the IINB group and 3.3% and 15%, respectively, for the non-IINB group (p>0.05, NS). Mean postoperative pain measured by the 'Visual Analogue Scale' were as follows: 2.3+/-1 at 1 h, 2.2+/-0.8 at 12 h, 1.8+/-0.7 at 24 h, and 1.6+/-0.6 at 48 h for the IINB group; and 3.6+/-1.4 at 1 h, 3.4+/-2 at 12 h, 2.9+/-1.2 at 24 h, and 2.0+/-1 at 48 h for the non-IINB group. Differences were significant at 1 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h (p<0.05). Mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.7 days in the IINB group and 6.5 days in the non-IINB group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: IINB associated with mini-thoracotomy reduces postoperative pain and contributes to improve postoperative outcome after major pulmonary resections.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Bronchoscopic procedures for emphysema treatment.

Emphysema is a debilitating lung disease continuing to be a major source of morbidity and mortality in the developed countries. Medical treatment is the mainstay of therapy and consists of smoking cessation, pulmonary rehabilitation, administration of bronchodilators and, when indicated, steroids and supplemental oxygen. Various surgical procedures have been promoted in the past to relieve dyspnoea and improve quality of life in patients with advanced emphysema; whilst early results were often encouraging, a sustained objective functional improvement was rarely achieved and most of those procedures were progressively abandoned. Despite controversies, LVRS has been shown to be beneficial to selected patients with end-stage emphysema when medical therapy has failed. There is no doubt that LVRS allows a significative functional improvement in a selected group of patients; however, it still carries a substantial morbidity, even if mortality is low at the centres with the larger experience. Patients with a most advanced functional deterioration show a higher surgical mortality and less impressive functional results, suggesting that LVRS should be considered more carefully in these situations. Bronchoscopic alternatives to the surgical approach have been recently proposed and some of them may play an important role in the future; in particular, the airway bypass and bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with one-way valves are certainly one step beyond on their way to clinical application. We hereby report the initial experimental and clinical experience with these new treatment options.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Reconstruction of the pulmonary artery.

Sleeve resection and prosthetic reconstruction of the pulmonary artery have progressively gained acceptance as an alternative to pneumonectomy in lung cancer surgery. Previous concern was mainly related to technical difficulties, intraoperative and postoperative complications, lack of long-term survival, and impact on cardiopulmonary function. For this reason it was not until very recently that lobectomy associated with resection and reconstruction of the pulmonary artery, associated or not to a sleeve resection of the bronchus, has been demonstrated to be an advantageous alternative. The concern about an increased complication rate has been proven to be excessive; in fact, pulmonary artery reconstruction can be performed safely and effectively with the correct indications and technique. We hereby report our experience, along with a review of the indications, the surgical technique, and outcome of pulmonary artery reconstruction.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed2006

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction for end-stage emphysema: report on the first 98 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To report the first multicenter experience on the treatment of end-stage emphysema using an endobronchial valve (EBV) [Emphasys EBV; Emphasys Medical; Redwood City, CA]. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis from prospective multicenter registry. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This is a study of the use of EBVs in the treatment of end-stage emphysema at nine centers in seven countries. Ninety-eight patients with mean FEV(1) of 0.9 +/- 0.3 L (30.1 +/- 10.7% of predicted) [+/- SD] and residual volume (RV) of 5.1 +/- 1.3 L (244.3 +/- 0.3% of predicted) were treated over a period of 20 months. Spirometry, plethysmography, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (Dlco) and exercise tolerance testing were performed at 30 days and 90 days after the procedure. RESULTS: RV decreased by 4.9 +/- 17.4% (p = 0.025), FEV(1) increased by 10.7 +/- 26.2% (p = 0.007), FVC increased by 9.0 +/- 23.9% (p = 0.024), and 6-min walk distance increased by 23.0 + 55.3% (p = 0.001). There was a trend toward improvement in Dlco, but this did not reach statistical significance (17.2 +/- 52.0%, p = 0.063). Patients treated unilaterally showed a trend toward greater improvement than those treated bilaterally. A similar trend toward improvement was observed in patients who had one entire lobe treated compared to those with just one or two bronchopulmonary segments treated. Eight patients (8.2%) had serious complications in the first 90 days, including one death (1.0%). CONCLUSION: This multicenter analysis confirms that improvement in pulmonary function and exercise tolerance can be achieved in emphysematous patients using EBVs. Future efforts should be directed to determining how to select those patients who would benefit most from this procedure and the best endobronchial treatment strategy.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Operative endoscopy of the airway with the old-fashioned esophageal dilators.

Bronchial dilation is usually required to treat a number of disorders; the most frequent are complications after airway surgery, including lung transplantation, stenosis after radiotherapy, and compression by an extraluminal mass. The procedure is performed by forcing the tip of a rigid bronchoscope through the stenosis using barrels of increasing size; however, when there is a clear discrepancy between the caliber of the rigid instrument and the stenosis, the first step may be difficult. In such cases, we have successfully employed two types of old-fashioned esophageal dilators rescued from the armamentarium of our endoscopy unit.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed2005

Glutaraldehyde preserved autologous pericardium for patch reconstruction of the pulmonary artery and superior vena cava.

We describe a new employment of glutaraldehyde preserved autologous pericardium for patch reconstruction of the pulmonary artery (PA) and superior vena cava (SVC). This technique was devised to minimize technical problems related to the use of fresh pericardium such as excessive elasticity and tendency to curl. We have successfully employed this procedure in three cases of reconstruction of the PA and in two cases of reconstruction of the SVC.

Fixatives↗
PubMed2005

Bronchoscopic lung-volume reduction with one-way valves in patients with heterogenous emphysema.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the feasibility and short-term functional outcome after bronchoscopic lung-volume reduction performed with one-way valves in patients with severe heterogeneous emphysema. METHODS: Thirteen patients entered this pilot study. Endobronchial one-way valves were placed in the segmental bronchi supplying the most hyperinflated parts of the emphysematous lungs to allow lung deflation, reduce lung volume, and alleviate symptoms. The valves and delivery catheter were inserted under intravenous anesthesia and spontaneous assisted ventilation, with visual control through a flexible bronchoscope. We performed unilateral bronchoscopic lung-volume reduction in 11 patients and staged bilateral procedures in 2. Preoperative median forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 0.75 L/s (22%), residual volume was 5.3 L (233%), total lung capacity, 7.9 L (123%); intrathoracic gas volume, 6.5 L (176%); and 6-minute walk test, 223 meters. All patients required supplemental oxygen at rest (1.4 L/min). The median preoperative Medical Research Council (MRC) scale dyspnea score was 4. RESULTS: Six complications occurred in 3 patients: two bilateral and one contralateral pneumothorax, one pneumonia, and two episodes of bronchospasm. Functional results at 1 and 3 months showed a significant improvement in FEV1, residual volume, and 6-minute walk test; 43% of the patients were able to completely stop supplemental oxygen. The posttreatment MRC median dyspnea score at 1 and 3 months was 2. Bronchoscopic follow up at 1 and 3 months showed that the valves were correctly in place with no granulation. CONCLUSIONS: Bronchoscopic lung-volume reduction with one-way valves can be performed with acceptable short-term safety and worthwhile functional benefits.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis: 6-year follow-up.

Lung transplantation is currently the most effective means of improving survival and quality of life in patients with end-stage cystic fibrosis. In reviewing our 6-year experience we sought to evaluate complications and survival after sequential bilateral lung transplantation. Between October 1996 and October 2002, 114 patients with cystic fibrosis were referred to us from 15 Italian regional centers and 2 support centers for cystic fibrosis as possible candidates for lung transplantation. Of these 114 patients, 99 were included in the waiting list and 15 were refused. The mean time spent on the waiting list was 6.8+/-5.2 months (range 1 day-21 months) for those patients receiving lung transplantation, and 5.4+/-4.5 months (range 10 days-18 months) for those 35 patients who died while on the waiting list. A total 55 patients (6 children and 49 adults), mean age 25.6+/-6.6 years (range 9-52 years), 29 males, underwent bilateral sequential lung transplantation. One patient had a second transplantation 14 months after the first. The most frequent medical non-infective complications after transplantation were chronic renal failure (n=27 patients), diabetes (n=31), osteoporosis (n=17), arterial hypertension (n=14), seizures (n=4), transient cerebral ischaemia (n=1), and transient bilateral blindness (n=1). Bacterial lower airways respiratory infections with the organisms that colonized patients' airways before lung transplantation developed in 42 patients; cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in 41; and opportunistic infections of the lung with Pneumocystis carinii in 3 patients. Cultures of sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid grew Aspergillus fumigatus in nine patients; aspergillosis of right bronchial anastomosis developed in one patient and a lung infection in another. Another patient had a pulmonary infection secondary to Aspergillus niger. An average of 1.3 episodes of acute rejection developed per patient in the first 6 months after lung transplantation. Freedom from bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome was 95% at 1 year, 82.5% at 2 years, 70% at 3 years, and 65% at 4, 5 and 6 years. Actuarial survival rates were 80% at 1 month, 79% at 1 year, 74% at 2 years, 70% at 3 years and 58% at 4, 5 and 6 years. Ten patients (17.8%) died in the early postoperative period (1-30 days) for the following reasons: primary graft failure (n=4), multiorgan failure (n=3), Burkholderia cepacia sepsis (n=1), myocardial infarction (n=1), and pulmonary embolism (n=1). Mortality was accounted for by 9 patients (16%) who died from 9 to 43 months after lung transplantation, for the following reasons: P. carinii infection (n=2), bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (n=4), A. fumigatus pulmonary infection (n=1), unknown cause (n=1) and suicide (n=1). In conclusion, the leading causes of morbidity after lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis are pulmonary bacterial infection and opportunistic infections. Bronchiolitis obliterans develops in more than half of lung transplant recipients who survive for more than 3 years and is an important cause of death in the late post transplantation period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Does lobectomy for lung cancer in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affect lung function? A multicenter national study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of lobectomy on pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: One hundred thirty-seven patients were analyzed; 49 had normal pulmonary function tests, and 88 had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Different functional parameter groups were identified: obstructive (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity [FEV1/FVC], and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease index), hyperinflation (residual volume and functional residual capacity), and diffusion (transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide). Also, the ratio between observed and predicted postoperative FEV(1) was calculated. RESULTS: In patients with preoperative FEV1 greater than 80% of predicted, postoperative FEV1/FVC slightly but not significantly decreased, and postoperative FEV1 significantly decreased. In patients with preoperative FEV1 less than 65%, postoperative FEV1 and FEV1/FVC significantly increased. In patients with preoperative FEV1/FVC greater than 70%, postoperative FEV1 and FEV1/FVC significantly decreased. In patients with preoperative FEV1/FVC less than 70%, postoperative FEV1/FVC increased, and FEV1 remained unchanged. In patients with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease index greater than 1.5, postoperative FEV1 and FEV1/FVC significantly decreased, whereas in patients with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease index less than 1.5, postoperative FEV1/FVC significantly increased and FEV1 remained unchanged. In patients with residual volume and functional residual capacity greater than 115% and transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide less than 80% of predicted, postoperative FEV1 diminished less (not significant) compared with patients who had residual volume and functional residual capacity less than 115% (P = .0001). Observed postoperative/predicted postoperative FEV1 was higher if FEV1/FVC was less than 55% (1.46), if FEV1 was less than 80% of predicted (1.21), or if the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease index was less than 1.5 (1.17). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with mild to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease could have a better late preservation of pulmonary function after lobectomy than healthy patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Recovery of chronic renal impairment with sirolimus after lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Standard immunosuppression after lung transplantation includes calcineurin inhibitors, azathioprine, and steroids. Calcineurin inhibitor administration is associated with an increased renal impairment. Sirolimus shows no renal toxicity and could be used in selected patients. METHODS: We have prospectively administered sirolimus as an alternative to calcineurin inhibitors in 15 lung transplantation recipients with persistent drug nephrotoxicity. Eight patients had also bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. The mean serum creatinine and azotemia were 2.7 +/- 1.1 mg/dL and 111 +/- 39 mg/dL. After starting sirolimus, azathioprine was reduced to 50%-25% of baseline, calcineurin inhibitors were gradually reduced and eventually stopped, and steroids were maintained stable. Patients started sirolimus with 2 to 5 mg/d orally; adjustments were made according to trough levels (4 to 12 ng/mL for combined sirolimus + calcineurin inhibitors; 12 to 20 ng/mL as monotherapy), toxicity, and perceived efficacy. Patients were monitored for renal and graft function and clinical status. RESULTS: A significant creatinine decrease was observed after 6 months of treatment (p < 0.02); azotemia decreased after 1 month and remained stable (p < 0.01). Pulmonary function tests did not show any significant modification from before sirolimus baseline in patients without bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. There were eight infectious complications and 10 episodes of toxicity (4 dermatitis, 2 epistaxis, 1 headache, 1 diarrhea, 1 nausea, 1 laryngeal cancer). Moderate leukocytopenia (n = 3) and hypertriglyceridemia (n = 6) responded to dose reduction. One patient was lost to follow-up. Three patients died of complications related to bronchiolitis obliterans. One patient underwent transplantation again. CONCLUSIONS: Sirolimus administration allows amelioration of renal function with a relatively low morbidity and is useful for chronic renal impairment rescue after lung transplantation.

Adult↗