Lung Diseases
Vibration Response Imaging in the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Disease
Vibration Response Imaging (VRI) is novel technology which records breath sounds via pizo-electric sensors and produces a digital image using a computer algorithm. It is radiation free and is portable to the patient's bedside. Data exists to show that the recordings from normal individuals differs from those who have pulmonary pathology. There is also evidence that recordings have high levels of inter and intra-observer reliability. However, data on specific VRI patterns for specific pathology is still needed before this can be used as a diagnostic tool. We aim to perform an open label feasibility trial on inpatient and outpatient pulmonary patients. Bedside clinical examination and chest auscultation will be used as the reference gold standard. Other diagnostic modalities that have been used as part of the patient's usual standard of care will also be used for comparison. Specifically breath sound progression, the maximal sound energy shape/distribution and the presence of artifactual sounds will be used to search for patterns that may be used for diagnosis. Sensitivity and specificity will be calculated for each disease (eg. asthma, emphysema, bronchiectasis, pneumonia, effusion, pneumothorax, etc)
Breath Analysis by Ion Mobility Spectrometry
Recognition of disease specific clusters of volatile organic compounds in patients with different lung diseases, using breath analysis with ion mobility spectrometry. Lung diseases of interest are:
- COPD
- tumors
- airway infection
- interstitial lung disease
- sleep apnea Hypothesis: Breath analysis with ion mobility spectrometry can differentiate pulmonary disorders.
Expanding the Role of Pharmacists in Treating Persons With Cardiovascular or Lung Diseases
This study will test whether enhanced continuity of pharmacy care that includes increased communication between inpatient and outpatient settings will improve the appropriateness of medication therapy and reduce the number of serious adverse drug events, hospitalizations and unscheduled office visits in vulnerable patients with cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease or diabetes.
Intermittent Moxifloxacin Therapy For The Prevention Of Acute Exacerbations In Patients With Chronic Bronchitis
Moxifloxacin, is being tested at approximately 60 study centres in 15 countries to determine if this drug, when taken periodically in addition to the patients normal treatment, is effective at reducing the number of flare-ups of chronic bronchitis he has. Approximately 1132 subjects will participate, and it is expected that the study will run for 2 years in order to reach that goal. The patients individual involvement in the study will be 17 months. Moxifloxacin will be compared to a placebo drug (no active ingredients). The study medication (moxifloxacin or placebo) will be taken in addition to the patients normal medication for chronic bronchitis. In addition to the first clinic visit, called a screening visit, the patient will be required to come back to the clinic for ten more study visits, every 8 weeks. At the first visit the study co-ordinator will provide him with the dates for all the visits. Over a period of 48 weeks the patient will return to the clinic on 6 occasions where he will receive the study medication which he will take for five days, in addition to his normal treatment for chronic bronchitis. After this time the patient will enter a follow up period for 24 weeks, where he will come to the clinic for assessments and continue to take his normal medication but not receive the study drug. A complete medical history will be taken at the first visit, including the patients past and current smoking habit. A breath test will be performed to assess how well his lungs are functioning. In addition, he will also be asked to provide a sputum sample for a microbiological examination to identify any bacteria present in the sample. The patient must be able to provide a sputum sample at the screening visit. If the patient meets all the inclusion / exclusion criteria for the study, he will be allocated randomly to one of the following treatment groups at the second visit.
- Treatment group 1: Receives moxifloxacin orally once daily for five days.
- Treatment group 2: Receives a matching placebo once daily for five days. In between each visit (four weeks after your clinic visit), the study site co-ordinator will contact the patient to check on his well being. If the patient or the doctor decides to stop the patients participation in the trial for any reason, the patient will be required to return to the clinic for a physical examination, take a breath test, provide a sputum sample (if possible) and have a blood sample taken.
The Effect of Sildenafil in Preterm Infants With Evolving Chronic Lung Disease
The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate in a randomised double-blind trial whether treatment with Sildenafil reduces duration of ventilatory support in preterm infants born at 28 weeks of gestation or less.
The Effect of Breathing Helium-Hyperoxia During Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients With COPD
The purpose of this study is to examine whether breathing helium-hyperoxia during exercise in a pulmonary rehabilitation program can improve the exercise tolerance and health related quality of life of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Childhood Asthma Research and Education (CARE) Network Trial - Acute Intervention Management Strategies (AIMS)
This study will determine the effectiveness of initiating a high-dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) or a leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) in addition to an inhaled beta2-agonist (albuterol) at the onset of respiratory tract illness (RTI)-associated symptoms in increasing episode-free days among young children with recurrent severe wheezing.
Corticosteroids as Rescue Therapy for the Late Phase of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
The purpose of this study is to assess innovative treatment methods in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) as well as those at risk of developing ARDS.
Fluids and Catheters Treatment Trial (FACTT) - ARDS Clinical Research Network
To assess rapidly innovative treatment methods in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome as well as those at risk of developing ARDS.
Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Individuals Experiencing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations
The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a statistical association between the changes from baseline in the levels of two cytokines interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-6 in the sputum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the severity of acute exacerbations of COPD (AE-COPD). These sputum cytokine levels are taken as measures of the adaptive immune response (IL-17A) and the innate immune response (IL-6), respectively. Sputum will be collected either spontaneously or will be obtained by induction; cytokine levels will be measured by ELISA. The primary analysis, comparisons of sputum cytokine levels between clinical states, will be done using random effects modeling.
