Introduction Since the recognition of the first cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 1981, our understanding of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its myriad infectious and noninfectious complications has…
Introduction This chapter will focus on the pulmonary hypertension (PH) that results from chronic lung diseases. This is a common and significant clinical complication of lung disease, and it is…
Introduction Mechanical ventilation is the process of using a device (ventilator) to support, partially or totally the delivery of gas to the lungs. The desired effect of mechanical ventilation is…
Introduction This chapter discusses diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) and includes other rare infiltrative disorders of the lung. DAH is a serious condition characterized by widespread intra-alveolar hemorrhage that originates from…
Introduction Disorders of the soft tissue and bony structures of the chest wall generally cause restrictive dysfunction by limiting motion or causing disordered movement of the chest wall. Kyphoscoliosis and…
Introduction Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a frequent infectious respiratory disease. Although many patients with CAP can be treated as outpatients, the mortality of CAP in those who do require hospitalization…
Introduction Of the approximately 1 million cases of hospitalized pneumonia each year in the United States, around 60,000 will develop frank empyema. A further 25,000 are estimated to develop pleural…
Introduction The one generalization about venous thromboembolism (VTE) that is free from controversy is that many aspects of this disorder remain controversial. There are multiple reasons why VTE continues to…
Introduction The pleural space is bounded by two membranes, the visceral pleura covering the lung and the parietal pleura covering the chest wall and diaphragm. Into this space, normal liquid…
Introduction Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is produced during aerobic cellular respiration and is a “waste product” produced by all aerobic life forms. Arterial CO 2 tension (arterial P co…
