Extract
We read with interest the illuminating review on the pharmacological management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) recently published in the European Respiratory Journal [1]. Raghu [1] did not detail the pharmacological management of acute exacerbations (AEs). AEs often lead to the question of whether to transfer the patient to the intensive care unit (ICU) for respiratory support, whether this is invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) or not, and to the choice of adequate pharmacological agent(s) [2]. This is a critical issue for respirologists and intensivists as it is estimated that ∼3 million patients suffer from this disease worldwide [3]. When making the decision of whether to transfer to the ICU, it should be kept in mind that ≤46% of IPF-related deaths are preceded by an AE, with the majority of patients dying within the first month and most of the remaining within a year [2, 4].
Abstract
IPF-related acute exacerbations: further research needed http://ow.ly/CB3W30hzYNq
Footnotes
Conflict of interest: None declared.
- Received November 23, 2017.
- Accepted November 29, 2017.
- Copyright ©ERS 2018