[Bronchiectasis treatment in adults]

Med Clin (Barc). 2009 Sep 26;133(11):433-40. doi: 10.1016/j.medcli.2008.12.018. Epub 2009 Apr 9.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Bronchiectasis is characterized by the dilation and progressive destruction of the bronchial wall. Its actual importance lies in two points: the increased number of diagnoses due to increased chronic diseases and the use of new diagnostic tools, and its negative impact on quality of life and lung function of patients and the negative prognosis of the causative disease. In practical terms, the treatment of bronchiectasis in adults is based on eight basic pillars: treatment of the etiology if it is known, treatment of the bronchial colonization or infection by potentially pathogenic microorganisms including Pseudomonas aeruginosa (inhaled or systemic antibiotics), treatment of bronchial secretions (chest physiotherapy and mucolytics), treatment of bronchial inflammation (inhaled steroids and macrolides) and hyperresponsiveness (inhaled steroids and bronchodilators), treatment of systemic manifestations (malnutrition), treatment of exacerbations (oral antibiotics, removing secretions and the associated bronchospasm), treatment of complications (hemoptysis, respiratory failure and mucous plugs), and finally, surgical treatment (lung transplantation or resection surgery).

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Bronchiectasis / complications
  • Bronchiectasis / drug therapy
  • Bronchiectasis / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents