Introduction Cardiovascular disease (CVD) was the single most important cause of death worldwide in 2013, when it was responsible for 17 million deaths and the loss of 329 million disability-adjusted…
Introduction Until the beginning of 20th century, it was believed that coronary thrombosis was always immediately fatal. In 1910, two Ukrainian physicians described five patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI),…
Introduction Sustained exercise requires tight integration of multiple physiologic systems including the cardiac, neuromuscular, and respiratory systems. Diseases affecting any of these systems can manifest as dyspnea or exercise limitation….
Introduction The mediastinum is the region in the chest between the pleural cavities that contains the heart and other thoracic viscera, except the lungs. Interest in the mediastinum as a…
Introduction Pulmonary vascular abnormalities are seen in a variety of acquired and congenital conditions. These structural defects include vascular communications that either are confined to the pulmonary circulation, as is…
Introduction Although in practice the terms “tumor” and “neoplasm” tend to be used interchangeably, there is an important and substantial difference between them. A “tumor” need not be a neoplasm…
Introduction The epidemiology of opportunistic mycoses is evolving. In certain populations, the frequency of opportunistic mycoses is increasing due to use of immune-modulating therapies, a higher frequency of invasive procedures…
Introduction A pneumothorax is present when there is air in the pleural space. Pneumothoraces are classified as spontaneous pneumothoraces, which develop without preceding trauma or other obvious cause, and traumatic…
Introduction Definitions The Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety of the International Labour Organization (ILO) defines pneumoconiosis as “the accumulation of dust in the lungs and the tissue reactions to…
Fundamental Concepts As pulmonary physicians have become increasingly involved in the care of critically ill patients, a thorough understanding of acid-base metabolism has become indispensable. Regulation of arterial pH is…
