Efficacy of bronchial thermoplasty in a patient panel with uncontrolled severe persistent asthma.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is an approved procedure to manage uncontrolled severe persistent asthma. Many insurance providers are reluctant to pay for BT without proven benefit among their specific patient panel. OBJECTIVE: Determine if BT is effective in a panel patient panel with uncontrolled severe persistent asthma. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This was an unblinded prospective study of adult subjects with uncontrolled severe persistent asthma who underwent BT. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and then 3-, 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-months post-BT. The primary metric was an improved Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) score. Other metrics included improved Asthma Control Test (ACT), peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR), spirometry, fractional excretion of nitric oxide (FeNO), number of unscheduled medical visits, and lost days of work/activity. Respiratory adverse events were assessed during the BT treatment period and at each post-BT visit. RESULTS: Twenty-nine subjects completed the study; the median interquartile range (IQR) age was 47 (42-61), and the majority were female (69%), white (93%), and non-Hispanic (90%). After BT, mean (±std) AQLQ scores improved by 1.6(±1.1) at 3 months (p < 0.0001), 1.6(±1.2) at 6 months (p < 0.0001), 1.4(±1.0) at 12 months (p < 0.0001), 1.8(±1.1) at 18 months (p < 0.0001), and 1.6 (±1.5) at 24 months (p < 0.0001). There were significant improvements in ACT, PEFR, unscheduled medical visits and lost days of work and activity. Spirometry and FeNO metrics were unchanged. The average cost for subjects completing all 3 BT procedures was approximately $15,000. CONCLUSION: BT is an effective adjunctive therapeutic modality in subjects with uncontrolled severe persistent asthma.

Asthma in Pregnancy.

Asthma is a common chronic respiratory condition that affects approximately 10% of adult women in the United States. Pregnancy can present unique challenges for women with asthma, as changes in the body can alter the severity and management of asthma-related respiratory symptoms. In this article, we review the current understanding of asthma during pregnancy, including the direct effects of the disease state on the pregnant woman and fetus, risk factors for poor control of disease, as well as current treatment recommendations.

Hematologic and Oncologic Emergencies.

This article reviews both hematologic and oncologic emergencies that may be seen in the intensive care setting. Hematologic emergencies, including autoimmune hemolytic anemia, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and disseminated intravascular coagulation, as well as oncologic emergencies including tumor lysis syndrome, superior vena cava syndrome, and cardiac tamponade secondary to metastatic disease, are discussed in detail. This review focuses on the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of each entity.

Pathophysiology of COPD.

This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease including the physiological mechanisms that are known precursors. The roles of environmental and genetic causes are considered. α1-Antitrypsin deficiency is also discussed as it relates to the development of airflow obstruction.

Mechanical Ventilation in ARDS.

Mechanical ventilation is the primary supportive, invasive measure utilized in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Throughout the years, many large multicenter randomized controlled trials and observational studies were analyzed to determine what ventilator parameters to use that would produce a mortality benefit after initial diagnosis. This article discusses the concepts of ventilator-induced lung injury, permissive hypercapnia, high-versus-low peep strategies, oxygenation goals, and recruitment strategies from a physiologic perspective and the major studies that produced recommendations for each. Newer concepts, such as driving pressure, are also discussed.

Diagnostic Considerations of Venous Thromboembolic Disease.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) includes deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). The clinical presentation of VTE is nonspecific and requires confirmatory testing. The most common diagnostic tool for DVT is duplex ultrasonography since it is a noninvasive test with high accuracy. Contrast venography is considered the gold standard modality to diagnose DVT, but it is an invasive test. Magnetic resonance venography and computed tomography venography are alternative diagnostic methods for DVT, which can be helpful in certain circumstances. Pulmonary embolism is commonly diagnosed by computed tomography pulmonary angiography. Ventilation perfusion scanning is an alternative imaging to diagnose PE in patients who cannot receive intravenous contrast. Pulmonary angiography is still the gold standard in the diagnosis of PE and is usually needed in specific conditions. D-dimer assay can be utilized in ruling VTE out in low-risk patients. Estimating the pretest clinical probability for having VTE is the key step in guiding the clinicians and nurses to the appropriate diagnostic method for patients with suspected DVT or PE.

Advanced Therapies in Venous Thromboembolism.

Advanced therapies are available for both deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism when anticoagulation alone is not sufficient to improve clinical outcomes. In some cases, clinical deterioration ensues despite anticoagulation, and this requires unique techniques that can ameliorate the clinical course. Such advancements are described in this upcoming article.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a serious inflammatory disorder with high mortality. Its main pathologic mechanism seems to result from increased alveolar permeability. Its definition has also changed since first being described according to the Berlin definition, which now classifies ARDS on a severity scale based on PaO2 (partial pressure of oxygen, arterial)/FIO2 (fraction of inspired oxygen) ratio. The cornerstone of therapy was found to be a low tidal volume strategy featuring volumes of 6 to 8 mL per kg of ideal body weight that has been shown to have decreased mortality as proven by the ARDSnet trials. There are other areas of treatment right now that include extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, as well for severe refractory hypoxemia. Other methods that include prone positioning for ventilation have also shown improvements in oxygenation. Positive end-expiratory pressure with lung recruitment maneuvers has also been found to be helpful. Other therapies that include vasodilators and neuromuscular agents are still being explored and need further studies to define their role in ARDS.

Sepsis and Septic Shock: Lingering Questions.

Sepsis and septic shock are major health conditions in the United States, with a high incidence and mortality. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign, which was formed in 2002, formulates guidelines for the management of severe sepsis and septic shock and has actually demonstrated a reduction in mortality with institution of "sepsis bundles." Despite this, some elements of the guidelines have been questioned, and recent data suggest that strict compliance with bundles and protocols may not be necessary. Still, prompt recognition and treatment of sepsis and septic shock remain of utmost importance.

Pathophysiology and Classification of Respiratory Failure.

Respiratory failure is a condition in which the respiratory system fails in one or both of its gas exchange functions. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients admitted to intensive care units. It is a result of either lung failure, resulting in hypoxemia, or pump failure, resulting in alveolar hypoventilation and hypercapnia. This article covers the basic lung anatomy, pathophysiology, and classification of respiratory failure.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic smoking-related lung disease associated with significant mortality and morbidity. It carries an enormous economic burden on the health care system. This results in a significant social impact on affected patients and their families. In this article, we review COPD in general, critical care management of patients presenting with acute exacerbation of COPD, and methods of prevention.

Sepsis and septic shock: a review.

Sepsis and septic shock are a continuum of disease resulting from a complex host response to infection. They are major health issues in the United States, causing significant financial burden to the health care system in addition to multisystem morbidity and high rates of mortality. In recent decades, landmark trials in sepsis management have demonstrated improved mortality. Although the value of protocol-driven care is currently under question, it is clear that early recognition, prompt resuscitation, and timely use of antibiotics are of utmost importance.

Lemierre's Syndrome: A Case Series.

Lemierre's syndrome (LS) is a potentially fatal complication of oropharyngeal infection, resulting in contiguous suppurative thrombosis of the internal jugular vein (IJV) and septic emboli. It is most commonly associated with Fusobacterium necrophorum (F. necrophorum), though other pathogens have also been implicated in its pathogenesis. The incidence of LS had so significantly decreased that it was referred to as "the forgotten disease." However, cases of LS have shown a resurgence, which may be partly attributed to an overreliance on a negative group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal rapid antigen detection test (RADT), commonly referred to as "rapid strep test." Clinicians must maintain a very high index of suspicion for LS in patients with persistent sequelae from tonsillopharyngitis who have a negative RADT.

IgG4 related lung disease- a rare and novel mimic of malignancy and infections-a case series of three patients with a brief review of updated literature.

IgG4-related lung disease is an extremely rare and novel entity which is still poorly understood. We reviewed the 16 patients diagnosed with IgG4-related disease from October 2014 through December 2019 at our institution. The three cases that showed pulmonary involvement are included in this series. Of these, two patients had cavitary lung disease and developed aspergilloma and chronic cavitating aspergillosis after a prolonged course of steroid therapy, and one had isolated pulmonary nodule and ground glass opacity. We reviewed the updated literature and briefly described disease epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnostic approaches, and management strategies for IgG4-related lung disease.

Purpura Fulminans: a Rare but Fierce Presentation of Pneumococcal Sepsis.

Infectious purpura fulminans (PF) is a rare presentation of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) due to diffuse intravascular thrombosis and haemorrhagic infarction of the skin. PF can present in infancy/childhood or adulthood and usually presents as ecchymotic skin lesions, fever and hypotension. It is most commonly a consequence of sepsis related to Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae. Despite aggressive management of sepsis with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and conventional and nonconventional therapies, the condition still carries a mortality rate of 43%[1]. Streptococcus pneumoniae mostly presents with community-acquired pneumonia. We present a case of PF secondary to DIC related to Pneumococcal sepsis in an otherwise healthy and immunocompetent patient. LEARNING POINTS: Infectious purpura fulminans is a haematological emergency that demands early recognition and timely institution of therapy to prevent significant morbidity and mortality.A characteristic skin rash is a key diagnostic clue pointing to purpura fulminans, and should lead to prompt institution of therapy, as waiting for a skin biopsy result can delay the diagnosis and result in significant morbidity and mortality.Due to the lack of prospective data on management of the condition, various modalities, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and IVIG, still have questionable benefits. We therefore aim to expand knowledge of purpura fulminans management.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

We present a case of Guillain- Barré Syndrome (GBS) in a patient with confirmed COVID-19 infection. GBS in commonly encountered after an antecedent trigger, most commonly an infection. To date, only one case of GBS associated with this infection has been described. Clinicians should consider this entity since it may warrant appropriate isolation precautions especially in a patient who may not present primarily with typical constitutional and respiratory symptoms associated with COVID-19.

The mimic of tracheal carcinoid in elderly female.

We present a case of a glomus tumor of trachea in an elderly female who presented with a mass originating from the posterior trachea. She underwent rigid bronchoscopy with tumor debulking combined with laser therapy. Frozen section initially suggested carcinoid tumor but later turned out to be a glomus tumor. She improved with additional laser therapy. We present her clinical course and a literature review on glomus tumor.

Multiple Myeloma Associated Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy: The Importance of Continued Surveillance.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an autoimmune disease presenting with weakness and numbness in a remitting or chronic progressive course. It is known to have several clinical presentations and several associated diseases. CIDP has been associated with multiple myeloma, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and other paraproteinemias. We present a case of refractory CIDP in which the initial workup for multiple myeloma was negative, and multiple myeloma was then diagnosed two and half years later. Treatment of the multiple myeloma led to clinical improvement. This case is instructive in that perhaps more frequent surveillance for paraproteinemia in patients with CIPD, even after a negative initial workup, could lead to a better clinical outcome.