A Pilot Standardized Simulation-Based Mechanical Ventilation Curriculum Targeting Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Critical Care Medicine Fellows.

Introduction The mastery of mechanical ventilation (MV) management is challenging, as it requires the integration of physiological and technological knowledge with critical thinking. Our aim was to create a standardized curriculum with assessment tools based on evidence-based practices to identify the skill deficit and improve knowledge in MV management. Methods For 3 years, 3 hours of standardized curriculum for each first-year pulmonary critical care medicine (PCCM) and critical care medicine (CCM) fellows was integrated into the orientation (chronologically): (1) a baseline knowledge pretest; (2) a 1-hour one-on-one case-based simulation session with debriefing. A 34-item competency checklist was used to assess critically thinking and skills and guide the debriefing; (3) a 1-hour group didactic on respiratory mechanics and physiology; (4) a 45-minute hands-on session in small groups of one to three fellows for basic knobology, waveforms, and various modes of mechanical ventilators; (5) a 15-minute group bedside teaching of vented patients covering topics such as techniques to alleviate dyssynchrony and advanced ventilator modes; (6) a one-on-one simulation reassessment session; (7) a knowledge posttest. Fellows' performances at baseline, 1-month posttest, and end-of-first year post-test were compared. Results Fellows ( n = 24) demonstrated significant improvement at 1-month posttest in knowledge (54.2% ± 11.0 vs. 76.6 ± 11.7%, p < 0.001) and MV competency (40.7 ± 11.0% vs. 69.7 ± 9.3%, p < 0.001), compared with pretest. These improvements were retained at the end-of-year reassessments (knowledge 75.1 ± 14.5% and MV competency 85.5 ± 8.7%; p < 0.001). Conclusion Standardized simulation-based MV curriculum may improve the medical knowledge competency, and confidence of first-year PCCM and CCM fellows toward MV management before encountering actual ventilated patients.

Immunomodulatory indications of azithromycin in respiratory disease: a concise review for the clinician.

Azithromycin has a well-characterized bacteriostatic activity. However, it also has a robust immunomodulatory effect that has proven beneficial in a variety of chronic illnesses. This effect results in decreased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the acute phase and promotes resolution of chronic inflammation in the later phases. Specifically, azithromycin has direct activity on airway epithelial cells to maintain their function and reduce mucus secretion. These characteristics have resulted in the use of azithromycin in the management of a variety of chronic lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis (CF), non-CF bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, diffuse panbronchiolitis, and asthma. In this review, we present the evidence supporting the role of azithromycin in these conditions with an emphasis on the clinical aspects for the practicing physician.

Expiratory Snoring Predicts Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Patients with Sleep-disordered Breathing.

RATIONALE: Sleep-disordered breathing and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are two common conditions that may present concomitantly. The effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on the polysomnographic manifestation of sleep-disordered breathing have not been studied. OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that the presence of airflow obstruction could be predicted by the presence of expiratory upper airway narrowing during sleep in patients with sleep-disordered breathing. METHODS: Ninety-three patients with sleep-disordered breathing (19 men; age, 51.6 yr; body mass index, 40.1 kg/m(2); apnea-hypopnea index, 37.4 events/h) were observed. Every patient had an in-lab polysomnography study and complete pulmonary function tests. Sleep and respiratory events were scored using American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommended scoring criteria. Expiratory snoring events were identified on polysomnography using microphone sensor and/or pressure flow sensor in each patient. The FEV1/FVC ratio less than 70 was used to define the presence of airflow obstruction. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The proportion analysis demonstrated that patients with expiratory snoring have 11 times higher odds of having evidence of lower airway obstruction, defined as FEV1/FVC less than 70 (odds ratio [OR], 11.03; P < 0.001), whereas smokers have increased odds by 13 times (OR, 13.18; P < 0.001). Spearman correlation analysis showed that FEV1 was positively related to mean SaO2 (P < 0.05) and negatively related to expiratory snoring, smoking, 3% oxygen desaturation index, 2% oxygen desaturation index, and age (P < 0.05). Epworth sleepiness scale, sex, and body mass index did not have any association with FEV1. The multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (FEV1/FVC < 70) correlated significantly with expiratory snoring and smoking (OR, 11.76; confidence interval, 3.23-42.83; and OR, 9.95; confidence interval, 2.67-37.09), respectively. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the linear combination of mean SaO2 and expiratory snoring (P < 0.05) predicted FEV1. However, age and 2% oxygen desaturation index did not predict FEV1. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of expiratory snoring predicts obstructive airway disorders. Patients with expiratory snoring and low mean oxygen saturation during sleep should be carefully assessed for pulmonary disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.