Active clinical trials for "Lung Diseases"

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of erythropoietin treatment of anemia on exercise capacity of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common causes of community-acquired pneumonia and exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, which are associated with morbidity, mortality, and higher health-care cost. In addition, recently high daily dose of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy became more evident to be beneficial in moderate-to-severe COPD patients, but excess risk of pneumonia shown in database analysis was worried about by primary physicians. The use of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination (PPSV23) has protective efficacy to eliminate infection of Streptococcus pneumoniae from previous studies. If the use of PPSV23 can reduce the incidence of pneumonia or exacerbations in COPD patients using high daily dose of ICS, the benefit of ICS can be preserved and risk of pneumonia can be reduced. However, there is only limited data supporting this hypothesis. In this study, the investigators will conduct a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the clinical efficacy of PPSV23 in severe COPD patients using high daily dose of ICS.

Goal: The main goal of this study is to develop and validate educational materials that aim to improve self-management knowledge and practices about COPD among patients in Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking communities in the Greater Vancouver Area (GVA). Objectives: "1." To assess the current landscape of COPD beliefs, perceptions and practices, as well as health literacy as it relates to Chinese Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking patients; "2." To develop effective partnerships within primary care physicians serving Chinese newcomers in the GVA' "3." To conduct focus group sessions with collaborative primary care physicians to identify common factors that contribute to under service and access barriers among patients in the target communities; "4." To assess the effectiveness of the educational materials on patients' beliefs, perceptions, practices, and health literacy related to COPD control and self-management; and "5." To improve the capacity of physicians and allied health workers in primary care settings in educating patients and their families about self-management of COPD. The implementation of the project will include the following phases: "1." Build and strengthen established partnerships with primary care practices serving newcomers in GVA; "2." Conduct an environmental scan and needs assessment (literature review, interviews and focus groups with community members and key-informants); "3." Development of story scripts, video clips and other educational materials, and relevant measurement tools; "4." Application of the video clips and other educational materials to test their effectiveness on health literacy, beliefs, and knowledge among COPD patients from the target communities; and "5." Evaluation of the usefulness of videos and other educational materials, and the project's process and outcomes.

The purpose of this study is to test the effects of reducing indoor environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) on unscheduled asthma visits, asthma symptoms, airway inflammation, and exposure to tobacco smoke measured using air nicotine dosimeters, serum and hair cotinine.

To determine the value of contrast enhanced spiral computed tomography (spiral CT) for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (PE).

In the Lung Health Study I, to determine the effects of Special Care, compared to Usual Care, on rate of decline in pulmonary function in a group of cigarette smokers identified as having mild abnormalities in pulmonary function. In the Lung Health Study III, to determine the long-term effects of smoking cessation and continued smoking, on cardiopulmonary morbidity, mortality, and the rate of decline in the one second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) in men and women with early chronic obstructive lung disease who have been followed prospectively for 12 to 15 years.

Purpose: In a randomized controlled trial we will assess the effect of early pulmonary rehabilitation in patient with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive lung disease (AECOPD).

Accurate pre-operative lung assessment is important to decide the most appropriate anesthesia plan. Until now, chest X-ray is considered the standard of care for lung assessment during perioperative evaluation. However, lung ultrasound is a rapid, simple, non-invasive, radiation-free imaging modality and can be used as an alternative to chest radiography for the diagnosis and follow-up of various lung diseases. Moreover, the decreased radiation exposure represents a considerable improvement in patient safety. Consequently, we decided to compare the data obtained from the lung ultrasound and the chest X-ray.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of the intravenous (IV) or paravertebral (PV) lidocaine administration during the intraoperative period of lung resection surgery on the appearance of postoperative complications. We design a randomized, controlled and blinded study to be performed in 153 patients with 3 arms: 1) Lidocaine IV + PV saline 2) saline IV + PV lidocaine, 3) remifentanil IV + PV saline. Perioperative analysis of inflammatory biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage and serum. Follow-up of the postoperative course, especially the appearance of postoperative complications according to the revised Clavien-Dindo classification for thoracic surgery, as well as other relevant clinical results.

In this trial, the investigators will evaluate the effect of acetazolamide (375 mg per day) vs. placebo on exercise performance at altitude in patients with COPD.