Disponible en / Available in:
Español
In this informative capsule, Dr. Eva Polverino, a pulmonologist at Vall d’Hebron Hospital, talks about bronchiectasis, a lesion of the bronchus that remains even when taking Kaftrio.
Respiratory infections in Cystic Fibrosis
In this new informative capsule we are joined by Dr. Eva Polverino, a pulmonologist at Vall d’Hebron Hospital, an expert in respiratory infections.
We talk about the importance of taking care of our lungs, whether or not we have a respiratory disease (although in the latter case it is even more important) and not to neglect respiratory physiotherapy.
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis refers to dilatation of the bronchi beyond what would be normal. When associated with certain symptoms and recurrent infections, it becomes a disease.
In fact, it is a very common disease that can be the result of many different things. One of them may be Cystic Fibrosis. There are other causes, sometimes more difficult to find, that can result in the same structural damage to the lung, causing a buildup of secretions with the possibility of infection and increased inflammation of the lung.
A dilated bronchus does not return to its original state.
People with Cystic Fibrosis who take Kaftrio, according to Dr. Polverino and in a non-literal sense, go from having Cystic Fibrosis to being patients with Bronchiectasis.
This is so because, although lung function is greatly improved with this drug, the fact is that these lesions remain in the lungs, since, once the lung is damaged, it does not regenerate. The bronchus, once dilated, does not return to its original state, because the damage persists.
Improved pulmonary function with Kaftrio
It is true that, with Kaftrio, the disease is much milder, since the secretions are not so thick and can be removed more easily, but bronchiectasis is still a possible source of infection because secretions continue to accumulate there.
Bronchiectasis treatment
Bronchiectasis affects all parts of the airways. If a plug forms, it can develop into pneumonia.
The treatment of bronchiectasis, once it is known that secretions accumulate, continues to be its drainage through respiratory physiotherapy.
According to Dr. Polverino’s experience, many people with Cystic Fibrosis who take Kaftrio stop doing respiratory physiotherapy because they feel that they do not have secretions in the upper and middle airways, which is a mistake. It is very important that secretions do not accumulate and do not form plugs to reduce inflammation.
Respiratory physiotherapy, a fundamental pillar in the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis.
In summary, respiratory physiotherapy remains a mainstay of Cystic Fibrosis treatment, even taking Kaftrio.
#TogetheragainstCF
