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Cardiac amyloidosis often presents with nonspecific symptoms and requires a high index of suspicion and specialized diagnostic protocols to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective management.

In this case of classic Hodgkin lymphoma presenting as unilateral pleural effusion, the excisional lymph node biopsy played a crucial role in confirming the diagnosis, demonstrating the importance of thorough tissue sampling in oncologic diagnostics.

A 75-year-old man with dyspnea and exertional syncope is diagnosed with aortic stenosis. After an echocardiogram, what’s next?

Are you current on the latest treatment modalities for managing dyspnea in severe COPD? Test your knowledge with this quiz and stay ahead in patient care.

Examine the case of a young smoker with acute dyspnea whose chest CT reveals oddly shaped cysts to uncover a mystery that goes beyond usual diagnostics and leads us into the world of uncommon lung disorders.

Uncover vital insights about supplemental oxygen use, demystify misconceptions, and learn best practices for managing respiratory diseases. Good day, physicians. Let’s talk about the controversial issue of supplemental oxygen use, frequently discussed by patients, clinicians, advocacy groups, and even politicians. In this summary, we’ll untangle misconceptions and illuminate best practices. To start with, the body’s oxygen utilization depends on three things: lung function, heart efficiency, and muscle oxygen use. These factors can improve with exercise, but worsen with inactivity. Remember, exercise matters. Why does oxygen matter? For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis (PF), or pulmonary hypertension (PH), impaired oxygenation can lead to hypoxemia and hypoxia. Hence, supplemental oxygen becomes a necessity. How do we assess oxygen levels? Two tests can be employed: arterial blood gas (ABG) or pulse oximetry. Normal partial pressure of oxygen, as per ABG, is around 75-100 mmHg, and a drop below 60 necessitates supplemental oxygen. Oxygen saturation, measurable via either test, should ideally be 95% or above, and values dropping to 90 or below indicate the need for supplemental oxygen. Now, let’s dispel some myths. Shortness of breath doesn’t always equate to hypoxia. A patient can experience breathlessness even with normal oxygen […]