
Rituximab Versus Cyclophosphamide in Connective Tissue Disease-ILD
Interstitial Lung DiseaseScleroderma2 moreInterstitial lung disease (ILD) is characterised by inflammation and scarring of the lung and is the leading cause of death in patients with systemic sclerosis, and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in many other connective tissue diseases (CTDs) such as polymyositis/dermatomyositis and mixed connective tissue disease. When ILD is extensive and/or progressive, immunosuppressive medication is often required to stabilize lung disease and alleviate symptoms. Current standard care for CTD associated ILD is extrapolated from studies performed in individuals with systemic sclerosis and comprises low dose corticosteroids and intravenous cyclophosphamide followed by oral azathioprine. In some individuals even this intensive immunosuppression is insufficient to prevent deterioration, and in a significant minority of affected individuals this results in respiratory failure and death. Rituximab has recently been reported as an effective 'rescue therapy' for stabilizing and even improving ILD in this patient group. Based on observations gained from this experience, the investigators believe that rituximab is a potential important alternative to current best therapy for this patient group. This study has therefore been initiated to evaluate the efficacy of rituximab (compared with standard therapy) in patients with progressive CTD related ILD.

Progel® Pleural Air Leak Sealant (PALS) in Video and Robotic Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Pulmonary DiseaseThe objective of this clinical study is to evaluate the safety of the Progel® PALS, including the Progel® Extended Applicator Spray Tips, in sealing or reducing intraoperative air leaks in patients undergoing video assisted or robotic assisted thoracoscopic (VATS/Robotic) surgeries. The data collected in this clinical study will supplement the Approved PMA P010047 Progel® PALS product.

An Effectiveness and Safety Study of Inhaled JNJ 49095397 (RV568) in Patients With Moderate to Severe...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseThe purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of JNJ 49095397 in participants with symptomatic moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Study of Aclidinium Bromide/Formoterol Fumarate Compared With Salmeterol/Fluticasone Propionate...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)The purpose of the study is to compare the efficacy, safety and tolerability of aclidinium bromide/formoterol fumarate and salmeterol/fluticasone propionate in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Effects of an Air Purifying Device (PureNight) on Sleep Quality in Obstructive Lung Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseMany individuals with chronic lung disease have night time symptoms that disrupt their sleep. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of an air purifying device (PureNight, Halo Innovations, Minneapolis, MN) on sleep disruptions measured by a "sleep watch" (actigraph) and individual perception of sleep quality.

A Study to Assess the Efficacy of Fluticasone Furoate/Vilanterol (FF/VI) Inhalation Powder 100/25...
Pulmonary DiseaseChronic ObstructiveThis will be a Phase IIIb multicentre, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, 12-week parallel group study evaluating the effects of once daily in the morning treatment of FF/VI Inhalation Powder versus Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol Inhalation Powder twice daily on lung function in COPD subjects. Subjects will be screened and will enter a 2-week, single-blind (placebo), Run-In Period to evaluate the subject's adherence with study treatment, study procedures and assessment of disease stability. At the end of the Run-In Period, subjects will return to the Clinic and who meet all of the Randomization Criteria will be randomized to double-blind study medication (12-week treatment period). Subjects will be randomized to receive either FF/VI 100/25 via NDPI or Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol 250/50mcg via ACCUHALER/DISKUS. Matching placebos will be available in NDPI and ACCUHALER/DISKUS. Each morning (approximately 6-10 AM) subjects will take 1 inhalation from the NDPI followed by 1 inhalation from the ACCUHALER/DISKUS. Each evening (approximately 6-10 PM), approximately 12 hours after the morning dose with blinded study medication, subjects will take 1 inhalation from the ACCUHALER/DISKUS. Subjects will return to the clinic at the end of the treatment period. A follow-up phone contact will be performed approximately 7 days after the last clinic visit. The overall study duration (Screening to Follow-up) for each subject is approximately 15 weeks.

Two-part Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study of LAS190792 in Patients With Asthma and COPD...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)AsthmaThe purpose of this study is to assess the safety and tolerability of single doses of LAS190792 administered by inhalation to patients with mild persistent asthma and moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and also to assess the ability of LAS190792 to produce bronchodilation (opening of the airways).

Evaluation of the IPS System for TLD Therapy in Patients With COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)Targeted Lung Denervation (TLD) Therapy will be a safe method to ablate the airway nerve trunks that travel parallel to and outside of the main bronchi and into the lungs to achieve targeted lung denervation and potentially improve breathing and quality of life for patients suffering from COPD. Use of the IPS System will be technically feasible in accessing the target treatment location and delivering RF energy to the target treatment location.

Pressure-controlled vs Volume Controlled Ventilation on RV Function During OLV
Lung DiseasesThe use of pressure controlled ventilation (TV) during one lung ventilation (OLV) for thoracic surgery is associated with comparable oxygenation with volume controlled ventilation (VCV) with added benefits of decreasing airway pressures and shunt fraction. The later may improve the right ventricular (RV) function during OLV. We postulate that the use of PCV during OLV for thoracic surgery would preserve RV function than during VCV. After local ethics committee approval and informed consent, we will randomly allocate 28 patients scheduled for elective thoracic surgery OLV to randomly crossed from PCV to VCV mode (n= 14 for each) during with VT of 6 mL/kg, I: E ratio 1: 2.5, PEEP of 5 cm H2O, recruitment maneuvers and respiratory rate will be adjusted to maintain normocapnia. Intraoperative changes in the right ventricular function (peak systolic and diastolic tricuspid annular velocity (TAV), end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), and RV fractional area changes (RV-FAC)), hemodynamic and oxygenation parameters, peak and plateau airway pressures, compliance will be recorded.

Low Tidal Volume and EVLWI During OLV
Lung DiseasesThe use of low tidal volume (TV) during one lung ventilation (OLV) for thoracic surgery decreases the incidence of postoperative acute lung injury (ALI). We postulated that the use of low TV during OLV for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) would decrease the extravascular lung water content index (EVLWI). After local ethics committee approval and informed consent, we will randomly allocate 60 patients scheduled for elective VATS to ventilate the dependent lung with VT of 4, 6, or 8 mL/kg (n= 20 for each), I: E ratio 1: 2.5, PEEP of 5 cm H2O, recruitment maneuvers and respiratory rate will be adjusted to maintain normocapnia. Perioperative changes in EVLWI, hemodynamics, oxygenation index will be recorded. Also, the incidence of postoperative ALI, morbidity, hospitalization and mortality will be recorded