iSleepFirst: burnout, fatigue, and wearable-tracked sleep deprivation among residents staffing the medical intensive care unit.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between sleep, burnout, and psychomotor vigilance in residents working in the medical intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A prospective cohort study of residents was implemented during a consecutive 4-week. Residents were recruited to wear a sleep tracker for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks during their medical ICU rotation. Data collected included wearable-tracked sleep minutes, Oldenburg burnout inventory (OBI) score, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), psychomotor vigilance testing, and American Academy of Sleep Medicine sleep diary. The primary outcome was sleep duration tracked by the wearable. The secondary outcomes were burnout, psychomotor vigilance (PVT), and perceived sleepiness. RESULTS: A total of 40 residents completed the study. The age range was 26-34 years with 19 males. Total sleep minutes measured by the wearable decreased from 402 min (95% CI: 377-427) before ICU to 389 (95% CI: 360-418) during ICU (p < 0.05). Residents overestimated sleep, logging 464 min (95% CI: 452-476) before and 442 (95% CI: 430-454) during ICU. ESS scores increased from 5.93 (95% CI: 4.89, 7.07) to 8.33 (95% CI: 7.09,9.58) during ICU (p < 0.001). OBI scores increased from 34.5 (95% CI: 32.9-36.2) to 42.8 (95% CI: 40.7-45.0) (p < 0.001). PVT scores worsened with increased reaction time while on ICU rotation (348.5 ms pre-ICU, 370.9 ms post-ICU, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Resident ICU rotations are associated with decreased objective sleep and self-reported sleep. Residents overestimate sleep duration. Burnout and sleepiness increase and associated PVT scores worsen while working in the ICU. Institutions should ensure resident sleep and wellness checks during ICU rotation.

Robotic bronchoscopy and future directions of interventional pulmonology.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe the emerging field of robotic bronchoscopy within advanced diagnostic bronchoscopy. We review the literature available for these two novel platforms to highlight their differences and discuss the impact on future directions. RECENT FINDINGS: There are two distinct technologies both known as robotic bronchoscopy. The Monarch robotic-assisted bronchoscopy is based on electromagnetic guidance whereas the Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscopy is founded on shape sensing technology. Although there is ongoing work to explore the capabilities of these systems, studies have shown that both are safe modalities. Furthermore, both hold promise to improve diagnostic yield and may eventually pave the way for therapeutic bronchoscopic ablation in the future. SUMMARY: Although both platforms fall under the umbrella term of robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, the Monarch and Ion systems are quite unique in their technology. Thus far, both have demonstrated safety, and early data shows promising results for improved diagnostic yield compared to previously advanced bronchoscopy modalities, especially when combined with advanced confirmatory imaging. Future directions may include bronchoscopic ablation of peripheral lesions given the stability and reach of these platforms.

NNDB: An Expanded Database of Nearest Neighbor Parameters for Predicting Stability of Nucleic Acid Secondary Structures.

Nearest neighbor thermodynamic parameters are widely used for RNA and DNA secondary structure prediction and to model thermodynamic ensembles of secondary structures. The Nearest Neighbor Database (NNDB) is a freely available web resource (https://rna.urmc.rochester.edu/NNDB) that provides the functional forms, parameter values, and example calculations. The NNDB provides the 1999 and 2004 set of RNA folding nearest neighbor parameters. We expanded the database to include a set of DNA parameters and a set of RNA parameters that includes m6A in addition to the canonical RNA nucleobases. The site was redesigned using the Quarto open-source publishing system. A downloadable PDF version of the complete resource and downloadable sets of nearest neighbor parameters are available.

RNA Secondary Structure Analysis Using RNAstructure.

RNAstructure is a user-friendly program for the prediction and analysis of RNA secondary structure. It is available as a web server, a program with a graphical user interface, or a set of command line tools. The programs are available for Microsoft Windows, macOS, or Linux. This article provides protocols for prediction of RNA secondary structure (using the web server, the graphical user interface, or the command line) and high-affinity oligonucleotide binding sites to a structured RNA target (using the graphical user interface). © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Predicting RNA secondary structure using the RNAstructure web server Alternate Protocol 1: Predicting secondary structure and base pair probabilities using the RNAstructure graphical user interface Alternate Protocol 2: Predicting secondary structure and base pair probabilities using the RNAstructure command line interface Basic Protocol 2: Predicting binding affinities of oligonucleotides complementary to an RNA target using OligoWalk.

ICU Mortality in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection: Highlighting Healthcare Disparities in Rural Appalachia.

To assess 30-day mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients transferred from rural Appalachian hospitals. DESIGN: Retrospective case controlled, based on consecutive patients transferred and admitted from rural hospitals to a tertiary-care ICU. The primary outcome was all-cause 30-day mortality. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used in the survival data analysis. SETTING: Medical ICU, West Virginia University Hospital, Morgantown, WV. PATIENTS: All adult patients admitted to the ICU for coronavirus disease 2019 disease between September 30, 2020, and December 2, 2020. INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Seventy-nine consecutive coronavirus disease 2019 patients were admitted to the ICU during the defined period. Overall mortality of the cohort was 54%. Of the 79 patients, 50 were transferred from critical access hospitals/rural facilities with coronavirus disease 2019-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome. A control group consisted of 39 patients admitted to the ICU with noncoronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome who were intubated and mechanically ventilated. Thirty-day mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 admitted to the ICU was significantly higher than the control group (68% vs 42%) (p = 0.034). Mean Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores were similar in both coronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome group and controls. Intubation in patients 70 years or older and mechanical ventilation for over 5 days was associated with significantly higher mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our data on critically ill and mechanically ventilated coronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients transferred from critical access hospitals/rural facilities have increased mortality compared with noncoronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome controls. These data suggest that lack or delay in access to tertiary care may impact coronavirus disease 2019 outcome in rural areas. Intubated patients 70 years old or more and mechanical ventilation for over 5 days may be a risk factor for increased mortality. These data may help physicians and hospital administrators in rural areas for optimal utilization of limited resources.

Chronic Vaping Related Tracheomalacia (TM): A Case of Vaping Induced Altered Innate Immunity that Culminated in Severe TM.

Tracheomalacia (TM) is a weakness of the trachea either due to impaired cartilage integrity or atrophy of muscular elastic fibers. We present the first-ever case of chronic vaping induced altered immunological defenses that led to frequent pulmonary infections, ultimately culminating in severe TM which we successfully treated with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. A 53-year-old male presented with hypoxia and pneumonia refractory to outpatient antibiotics and steroids. He underwent bronchoscopy which showed severe TM, prompting transfer to our institution. He started vaping seven years ago and noted frequent bronchitis requiring antibiotics and steroids along with 10 life-time surgeries. He underwent repeat bronchoscopy noting TM, worst 3 cm above the carina and extending 4 cm proximally. The lesion was deemed not suitable for stenting, so PAP therapy was initiated. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) confirmed 40% alveolar macrophages positive for lipid in Oil-O-Red stain consistent with EVALI. He tolerated PAP therapy with significant improvement in his ground glass opacities (GGO) and TM on subsequent imaging. TM is generally defined as >50% narrowing in the sagittal diameter. It is often further characterized into primary (congenital) or secondary (acquired) causes. Notable secondary causes include postintubation, chronic infection/bronchitis, chronic inflammation, and frequent steroid exposure -- all present in this case. Furthermore, there is existing literature that chronic inflammation due to irritants like cigarette smoke may be an important contributor to the development of TM. However, such data are lacking for EVALI. Our patient started experiencing repeated bronchitis episodes after he started vaping, leading to chronic inflammation and frequent antibiotics/steroids. Given his additional risk factor of multiple surgeries, this case not only presents a perfect storm for TM, but also a novel manifestation of EVALI. This case, to our knowledge, is the first-ever manifestation of EVALI presenting with TM. Management with PAP therapy helped avoid major surgery.

Refractory Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Secondary to COVID-19 Successfully Extubated to Average Volume-assured Pressure Support Non-invasive Ventilator.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by the highly infectious novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus spread by droplet transmission. Consequently, the use of respiratory devices that may potentially promote aerosolization like non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) for diseases such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), advanced chronic obstructive lung disease, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and neuromuscular respiratory disease has been called into question. We present a case of a patient with history of OSA and PH convalescing from refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to COVID-19 who was successfully extubated to average volume-assured pressure support (AVAPS). A 74-year-old male with medical history notable for OSA on NIPPV, PH, and hypertension presented with respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19 confirmed on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. His respiratory status worsened leading to ARDS requiring intubation. He was initially extubated to high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) due to hospital policy to avoid NIPPV due to concerns of viral dissemination. He did not tolerate HFNC and required re-intubation for prolonged period. He was then medically optimized for a second attempt and extubated two days later to AVAPS with an anti-viral filter and negative pressure room with a goal of optimizing his critical illness myopathy and pre-existing OSA and PH. He tolerated extubation well, and over the next five days was weaned from alternating AVAPS/HFNC to eventually requiring two liters nasal cannula in the day and AVAPS mode at night. This case highlights a potential therapeutic option for patients with severe respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19. This patient's pre-existing comorbidities of OSA and PH markedly increased his risk for extubation failure on HFNC. The use of AVAPS after his second extubation attempt helped ensure ventilation and oxygenation non-invasively. COVID-19 can lead to prolonged dependence on mechanical ventilation. This pandemic has the potential to create medical resource scarcities, especially in rural areas where ventilators and trained personnel are already in short supply. By using AVAPS mode, this patient was able to rehabilitate his myopathy and participate in intermittent weaning of HFNC to ultimately simple nasal cannula. AVAPS is useful tool to facilitate extubation, as it allows non-invasive support of respiratory dynamics, particularly in those with co-morbidities such as OSA and PH. Further, larger scale studies are needed to determine its exact role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Massive Pulmonary Embolism in a Recent Intracranial Hemorrhage: A Case Report of Inhaled Nitric Oxide to Improve Outcomes.

Acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE) has a high mortality if left untreated. The mainstay of treatment is systemic thrombolysis which has some absolute contraindications like intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is a selective pulmonary vasodilator that decreases pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and allows the right ventricle of the heart to pump against less resistance. We present a case of iNO use to improve hemodynamics in a patient with a recent ICH. We believe this to be the first such case reported. A 70-year-old female with a history of PE on Eliquis initially presented for weakness and was found to have right-sided ICH. She was discharged with instructions to hold Eliquis given ICH but was readmitted eight days later in florid cardiogenic shock requiring vasopressors and hypoxic respiratory failure refractory to intubation. CT showed bilateral PE with evidence of right heart strain and IV heparin was started. Due to her history of a recent ICH, she had an absolute contraindication prohibiting the use of systemic tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Interventional radiology (IR) consult determined that the patient was not a candidate for catheter-directed tPA due to the recent ICH, mechanical ventilation, and hemodynamic instability based on pressor requirement. Vascular surgery and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) consults deemed the patient not operable. The patient was then started on iNO with immediate improvement in her blood pressure. Once vitally stable, IR consult performed pulmonary angiogram and completed a thrombectomy. The patient was eventually extubated and she restarted her Eliquis. She continues to do well 16 months after discharge. In patients with massive PE with contraindications to systemic thrombolytics, providers are left with very few therapeutic interventions. A handful of case reports show that iNO improves systemic hemodynamics in postoperative patients with massive PE. This case highlights the potential for iNO to be a potential adjuvant in patients with absolute contraindications to systemic thrombolysis.

Hospital screening for obstructive sleep apnea in patients admitted to a rural, tertiary care academic hospital with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Rural communities represent a vulnerable population that would significantly benefit from hospital-based OSA screening given these areas tend to have significant health-care disparities and poor health outcomes. Although inpatient screening has been studied at urban hospitals, no study to date has assessed this approach in rural populations. METHODS: This study utilized the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) to generate a list of potential candidates by employing inclusion/exclusion criteria as screening. Subjects identified were then approached and offered information regarding the study. Screening for OSA entailed a tiered approach utilizing the sleep apnea clinical score (SAC) and portable sleep testing. Individuals identified as high risk (SAC ≥ 15) for OSA underwent evaluation with a portable sleep testing system while hospitalized. All participants with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥5 events/h confirmed by a sleep medicine physician were considered screen positive for OSA. If approved/available, subjects screening positive for OSA were provided with an auto-titrating continuous positive airway pressure (PAP). Patient characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Categorical data were described using contingency tables, including counts and percentages. Continuously scaled measures were summarized by median with range. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT03056443. RESULTS: Nine hundred and fifty-eight potential subjects were identified. The three most common reasons for exclusion included previous OSA diagnosis or exposure to PAP therapy (n = 357), advanced illness (n = 380), and declined participation by the individual (n = 68). The remaining 31 subjects underwent further evaluation for obstructive sleep apnea. Twenty-three subjects had a high sleep apnea clinic score. Per our study protocol, 13 subjects who screened positive for OSA were initiated on APAP therapy. Conclusion: Our study provides important insight into the burden of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and unique challenges of hospital-based OSA screening/treatment in a rural setting. Our study identified barriers to successful screening in a rural population that may be well addressed by adapting previous research in hospital sleep medicine.