Evaluation and Treatment of Patients With Lung Disease Not Participating in Research

The professional staff in the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Branch (CPB) needs to maintain their clinical skills and to enhance their clinical knowledge. The purpose of this protocol is to permit CPB staff to evaluate and treat patients with pulmonary disease who do not meet the criteria for existing research protocols.

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Patients 8 years old and older with signs or symptoms of pulmonary disease of medical interest to the professional staff of CPB will be eligible for participation in this protocol. Only standard diagnostic procedures and conventional therapy will be performed. Patients will not be subjected to any research procedures. This protocol does not commit the NIH to medical or surgical treatment of protocol participants after discharge. Patients will be discharged to the referring physician.

Consenting to pregnancy testing in minors of childbearing age:

We will inform the minor during the assent process that for safety, we need to do a pregnancy test. She will also be told that if it is positive, we will counsel her and help her tell her parents. If the minor does not want to proceed she will be advised not to sign assent and her enrollment on this training protocol will end.

Exclusion criteria

Patients without symptoms of pulmonary disease will be excluded from this protocol.