Endothelial dysfunction has been proposed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its post-acute sequelae. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is recognized as an...

Background: Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a group of heterogeneous diseases characterized by inflammation and/or fibrosis of the lung interstitium, leading to a wide range of clinical manifestations and outcomes. Over the years, the literature has demonstrated the increased diagnostic accuracy and confidence associated with a multidisciplinary approach (MDA) in assessing diseases involving lung parenchyma. This approach was recently emphasized by the latest guidelines from the American Thoracic Society, European Respiratory Society, Japanese Respiratory Society, and Latin American Thoracic Association for the diagnosis of ILDs. Methods: In this review, we will discuss the role, composition, and timing of multidisciplinary diagnosis (MDD) concerning idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, connective tissue disease associated with ILDs, hypersensitive pneumonia, and idiopathic pneumonia with autoimmune features, based on the latest recommendations for their diagnosis. Results: The integration of clinical, radiological, histopathological, and, often, serological data is crucial in the early identification and management of ILDs, improving patient outcomes. Based on the recent endorsement of transbronchial cryo-biopsy in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis guidelines, an MDA helps guide the choice of the sampling technique, obtaining the maximum diagnostic performance, and avoiding the execution of more invasive procedures such as a surgical lung biopsy. A multidisciplinary team should include pulmonologists, radiologists, pathologists, and, often, rheumatologists, being assembled regularly to achieve a consensus diagnosis and to review cases in light of new features. Conclusions: The literature highlighted that an MDA is essential to improve the accuracy and reliability of ILD diagnosis, allowing for the early optimization of therapy and reducing the need for invasive procedures. The multidisciplinary diagnosis of ILDs is an ongoing and dynamic process, often referred to as a “working diagnosis”, involving the progressive integration and re-evaluation of clinical, radiological, and histological features.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATd) is a hereditary disease, mainly characterized by early onset and the lower lobes’ predominant emphysema. Bronchiectasis is characterized by dilatation of the bronchial wall and a clinical syndrome whose features are a cough, sputum production and frequent respiratory exacerbations. In the literature, there are many papers concerning these two clinical entities, but there is still a lot of debate about a possible association between them, in particular about the frequency of their association and causal links. The aim of this short communication is to show the literature reports about the association between AATd and bronchiectasis to establish the state of the art and possible future developments in this research field.

Background: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy has emerged as a promising treatment modality for interstitial lung disease (ILD)-related respiratory failure. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HFNC therapy in patients with ILDs. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using major electronic databases to identify relevant studies investigating the use of HFNC therapy in ILD patients with respiratory failure. Outcome measures of interest included improvements in oxygenation, dyspnea relief, respiratory rate control, hospital length of stay, and mortality. Results: Twelve studies were analyzed with an overall population of 715 patients included. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) was the most prevalent type of ILD. Evaluated clinical settings were acute (7 studies), chronic (2 studies), and end-stage (3 studies) ILDs. The HFNC as a support for acute respiratory failure seems not inferior to non-invasive ventilation while offering better comfort and patient’s perception. Poor data are available about use in chronic/long-term or rehabilitative settings. In end of life/palliative care, an HFNC might improve quality of life. Despite the promising results, further research is warranted to establish optimal HFNC protocols, identify patient subgroups most likely to benefit, and explore long-term outcomes. Conclusions: Overall, the HFNC appears to be a valuable therapeutic option for managing respiratory failure in ILD patients, offering potential improvements in oxygenation and symptom relief.

Interstitial lung diseases comprise a heterogenous range of diffuse lung disorders, potentially resulting in pulmonary fibrosis. While idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has been recognized as the paradigm of a progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease, other conditions with a progressive fibrosing phenotype characterized by a significant deterioration of the lung function may lead to a burden of significant symptoms, a reduced quality of life, and increased mortality, despite treatment. There is now evidence indicating that some common underlying biological mechanisms can be shared among different chronic fibrosing disorders; therefore, different biomarkers for disease-activity monitoring and prognostic assessment are under evaluation. Thus, understanding the common pathways that induce the progression of pulmonary fibrosis, comprehending the diversity of these diseases, and identifying new molecular markers and potential therapeutic targets remain highly crucial assignments. The purpose of this review is to examine the main pathological mechanisms regulating the progression of fibrosis in interstitial lung diseases and to provide an overview of potential biomarker and therapeutic options for patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis.

During COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of diseases suffered from a limited access to health care services, owing to the use of resources, both technical and financial, mainly directed towards such a dramatic outbreak. Among these, tuberculosis (TB) has been one of the most penalized, with a huge delay both in diagnosis and in start of treatment, with a consequential dramatic increase in morbidity and mortality.