Impact of Moderate Sedation versus Monitored Anesthesia Care on Outcomes and Cost of Endobronchial Ultrasound Transbronchial Needle Aspiration.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The ideal type of sedation for endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is not known. Two previous studies comparing the diagnostic yield between moderate sedation (MS) and deep sedation/general anesthesia (DS/GA) had provided conflicting results with one study clearly favoring the latter. No study had addressed cost. This is concerning for pulmonologists without routine access to anesthesia services. Our objective was to assess the impact of MS and Monitored Anesthesia Care (sedation administered and monitored by an anesthesiologist) on the outcomes and cost of EBUS-TBNA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data on consecutive EBUS-TBNA performed under two different types of sedation in a single academic center. A diagnostic TBNA was defined as an aspirate yielding any specific diagnosis or if subsequent surgery or follow-up of nondiagnostic/normal aspirates showed no pathology. Current Medicare time-based allowances were used for professional charges calculation. RESULTS: There was no difference observed between MS and MAC in regards of the diagnostic yield (92.9% versus 91.9%), procedure duration, number, location, and size of lymph node (LN) sampled, but there were more passes per LN with MAC. The average charges were 74.30 USD for MS and 319.91 for MAC. There were more hypotensive and desaturations episodes with MAC but none required escalation of care. CONCLUSIONS: When performed under MS, EBUS-TBNA has similar diagnostic yield as under MAC but may be associated with less side effects. The difference in sedation cost is modest; however, an additional 245$ for each EBUS done under MAC would have significant cost implications on the health system. These findings are of critical importance for bronchoscopists without routine access to anesthesia services and for optimization of healthcare cost and resource utilization.

Patient-Reported Dyspnea Correlates Poorly with Aerobic Exercise Capacity Measured During Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported dyspnea plays a central role in assessing cardiopulmonary disease. There is little evidence, however, that dyspnea correlates with objective exercise capacity measurements. If the correlation is poor, dyspnea as a proxy for objective assessment may be misleading. OBJECTIVE: To compare patient's perception of dyspnea with maximum oxygen uptake (MaxVO2) during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). METHODS: Fifty patients undergoing CPET for dyspnea evaluation were studied prospectively. Dyspnea assessment was measured by a metabolic equivalent of task (METs) table, Mahler Dyspnea Index, Borg Index, number of blocks walked, and flights of stairs climbed before stopping due to dyspnea. These descriptors were compared to MaxVO2. RESULTS: MaxVO2 showed low correlation with METs table (r = 0.388, p = 0.005) and no correlation with Mahler Index (r = 0.24, p = 0.093), Borg Index (r = -0.017, p = 0.905), number of blocks walked (r = 0.266, p = 0.077) or flights of stairs climbed (r = 0.188, p = 0.217). When adjusted for weight (maxVO2/kg), there was significant correlation between MaxVO2 and METs table (r = 0.711, p < 0.001), moderate correlation with blocks walked (r = 0.614, p < 0.001), and low correlation with Mahler Index (r = 0.488 p = 0.001), Borg Index (r = -0.333 p = 0.036), and flights of stairs (r = 0.457 p = 0.004). Subgroup analysis showed worse correlation when patients with normal CPET were excluded (12/50 excluded). Patients with BMI < 30 had no correlation between Max VO2 and the assessment methods, while patients with BMI > 30 had moderate correlation between MaxVO2 and METs table (r = 0.568, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Patient-reported dyspnea correlates poorly with MaxVO2 and fails to predict exercise capacity. Reliance on reported dyspnea may result in suboptimal categorization of cardiopulmonary disease severity.

Pleuroscopic Pleurodesis Combined With Tunneled Pleural Catheter for Management of Malignant Pleural Effusion: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is associated with poor prognosis and it often impinges upon quality of life; effective and efficient management is desirable. Combining pleuroscopic pleurodesis (PP) with a tunneled pleural catheter (TPC) could minimize hospitalization, effect rapid pleurodesis in most cases, and allow ongoing control of MPE for those not successfully pleurodesed. METHODS: Consecutive patients with pleural effusion associated with malignancy and with documented lung reexpansion after pleural fluid drainage were prospectively enrolled to undergo PP with TPC placement. TPC was drained daily and was removed when output was <50 mL/d. Patients were followed for up to 6 months. The data collected were compared with historical controls as provided by a previously published study by our group on conventional pleuroscopic pleurodesis (CPP). RESULTS: Thirty patients were enrolled between January 2012 and August 2013. Twenty-nine completed the protocol. Pleurodesis was successful in 92% of patients at 1 month. Of the patients alive at 6 months, 96% continued to have effective pleurodesis. The median duration of TPC placement was 6 days. The median LOS was 3 days (2 to 7.25). All patients experienced significant improvement in dyspnea scores. The median LOS was significantly lower than those who received CPP (median LOS, 9 d; range, 4 to 13 d; P=0.002). There was no significant difference in mortality rates and pleurodesis success rates. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of PP with TPC can effect pleurodesis at a rate similar to CPP, shortens LOS, shortens time to pleurodesis, and helps to control symptoms when pleurodesis fails.

Lung abscess: update on microbiology and management.

A lung abscess is a circumscribed collection of pus in the lung as a result of a microbial infection, which leads to cavity formation and often a radiographic finding of an air fluid level. Patients with lung abscesses commonly present to their primary care physician or to the emergency department with "nonresolving pneumonia." Although, the incidence of lung abscess has declined since the introduction of antibiotic treatment, it still carries a mortality of up to 10%-20%. This article discusses in detail the up-to-date microbiology and the management of lung abscesses.

Transpulmonary artery needle aspiration of hilar masses with endobronchial ultrasound: a necessary evil.

The safety with regard to bleeding complications of endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) of hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy has been well established. The real-time visualization of targeted and surrounding structures allows the operator to avoid puncturing even small vessels. However, on occasions, the only way to reach the target is by traversing vessels. We report 2 cases of right hilar masses that were successfully diagnosed with EBUS-TBNA performed by traversing the pulmonary artery without any complications. We suggest that transpulmonary artery needle aspiration can be safely conducted but should be performed only by experienced operators and should be reserved as a last resort for making a diagnosis.

Safety of ultrasound-guided small-bore chest tube insertion in patients on clopidogrel.

BACKGROUND: The safety of small-bore chest tubes insertion with ultrasound (US) guidance has been well demonstrated in patients not receiving antiplatelet therapy. Given the current widespread use of these agents, pulmonologists frequently encounter patients on this therapy and requiring drainage of the pleural space. The use of these agents clearly increases the risk of bleeding, but it is not always possible to stop this therapy before the procedure, especially in patients requiring urgent drainage and those with coronary stents. The purpose of this study is to report our experience on the safety of US-guided small-bore chest tube placement in patients receiving clopidogrel. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of the charts of adult patients who underwent small-bore chest tube insertion by the pulmonary service while on clopidogrel. Data collected included patient's and effusion characteristics, indication for clopidogrel and for the procedure, and any significant bleeding complication defined as hemothorax, chest wall hematoma, a reduction in hemoglobin of >2 g/dL, or any bleeding requiring blood transfusion, surgery, or chest tube insertion. US of the chest was performed before insertion but did not include Doppler study of intercostal arteries. Lateral insertion at or anterior to the posterior axillary line was the preferred choice when possible. RESULTS: Forty-three procedures were performed in 30 patients. Seventy percent were male with a mean age of 71 years. The indications for clopidogrel were coronary stents (50%), acute coronary syndrome (27%), prevention of graft occlusion after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) (13%), femoral stent or endarterectomy (7%), and carotid endarterectomy (3%). The etiology of the effusions was post-CABG (43%), heart failure (17%), end-stage renal disease (13%), pneumothorax (10%), and others (17%). The procedures were therapeutic in 41 cases and diagnostic in 2. The indications for the procedure were respiratory distress (65%), respiratory failure (23%), and pneumothorax (7%). Fifteen procedures (35%) were performed in 10 patients in the ICU and 6 of them were mechanically ventilated. Nine patients were obese based on body mass index. Neither significant bleeding nor other minor complications were seen. CONCLUSIONS: OH 44195: The insertion of small-bore chest tube in patients receiving clopidogrel can be safe if performed by experienced operators and by using US guidance along with lateral insertion site, which has the lowest risk of lacerating the intercostal arteries.

Endobronchial ultrasound with transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis of bilateral hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy.

BACKGROUND: : Bilateral hilar and/or mediastinal lymphadenopathy (BHL±ML) is an important radiographic finding. Since it was examined 38 years ago by Winterbauer and colleagues, better diagnostic techniques have been developed. The purpose of this study was to reexamine the diagnosis of BHL±ML by Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). METHODS: : We carried out a retrospective analysis of data from 78 consecutive patients with BHL±ML who underwent EBUS-TBNA. Patient's characteristics including age, sex, symptoms, radiographic abnormalities, lymph node size, procedural complications, and the final pathologic diagnosis were recorded. RESULTS: : There were 8 diagnostic categories. Sarcoidosis was the most common diagnosis (73%), followed by lymphoma (10%), and reactive lymphadenopathy (10%). Nonlymphoma malignancy was found in 1 case. Seventy-three percent of the patients with sarcoidosis had stage 1 and 27% had stage 2 disease. The diagnosis was made by EBUS-TBNA in 92.3% of the cases. The diagnostic accuracy for EBUS-TBNA was 95% for stage 1 and 93% for stage 2. Fifty one percent of the patients were asymptomatic. Fifty seven percent of sarcoidosis and 36% of the nonsarcoidosis patients were asymptomatic. There were no significant complications from EBUS-TBNA. CONCLUSIONS: : EBUS-TBNA is a safe and minimally invasive procedure with a high diagnostic yield for BHL±ML. Sarcoidosis is still the most common diagnosis but the incidence seems to have decreased over the years. The increase in nonsarcoidosis patients and the evidence that lymphoma does occur in some asymptomatic patients suggests that biopsy confirmation with EBUS-TBNA is warranted.

An algorithmic approach to chronic dyspnea.

QUESTION: The objective of the study was to prospectively evaluate an algorithmic approach to the cause(s) of chronic dyspnea. MATERIALS/PATIENTS/METHODS: Prospective observational study. The study group consisted of 123 patients with a chief complaint of dyspnea of unknown cause present for >8 weeks. Dyspnea severity scores were documented at entry and after therapy. Patients underwent an algorithmic approach to dyspnea. Therapy could be instituted at any time that data supported a treatable diagnosis. Whenever possible, accuracy of diagnosis was confirmed with an improvement in dyspnea after therapy. Tests required, spectrum and frequency of diagnoses, and the values of individual tests were determined. RESULTS: Cause(s) was(were) diagnosed in 122/123 patients (99%); 97 patients had one diagnosis and 25 two diagnoses. Fifty-three percent of diagnoses were respiratory and 47% were non-respiratory. Following therapy, dyspnea improved in 63% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The prospective algorithmic approach led to diagnoses in 99% of cases. A third of patients were diagnosed with each tier of the algorithm, thus minimizing the need for invasive testing. Specific diagnoses led to improvement in dyspnea in the majority of cases. Based on the results of this study, the algorithm can be revised to further minimize unnecessary tests without loss of diagnostic accuracy.

Clinical approach to acute cough.

Acute cough is among the most common symptoms for which patients seek medical attention. It accounts for millions of days lost from school and work and billions of dollars spent on medical care. Acute cough is defined as cough present for 3 weeks or less. It most often is caused by a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract ("common cold") or lower respiratory tract (i.e., "acute bronchitis"). The most effective treatment for cough due to the common cold is a combination first-generation antihistamine plus decongestant. Antibiotics are not indicated for most cases of acute cough. Occasionally, acute cough can be a symptom of a life-threatening condition.

A prospective study of the volume of pleural fluid required for accurate diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion.

BACKGROUND: This is a prospective study to define the volume of pleural fluid adequate for maximal yield of cytologic analysis of pleural fluid. METHODS: Patients undergoing diagnostic thoracentesis with malignancy in the differential diagnosis were enrolled in the study. The first 50 mL of pleural fluid were put in a specimen cup, and subsequent fluid was collected in a drainage bag. Both samples were sent for cytologic evaluation. The cytologist was blinded as to which specimen was being evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (21 men, 23 women; mean [+/- SD] age, 46 +/- 11.1 years) were enrolled in the study. The average volume of the "large-volume" specimen was 890 +/- 375 mL (range, 250 to 1,800). Although malignant pleural involvement had never been documented for any patients, 31 patients had received a diagnosis of malignancy prior to undergoing thoracentesis. Cytologic tests were positive for malignancy in 23 of the 44 patients (55%). In the group of patients with an established history of cancer, pleural fluid was positive for malignant cells in 19 of 33 samples (58%). In all 23 patients with malignant pleural effusion, both the 50-mL specimen and the large-volume specimen were cytologically identical. In all 21 patients with negative pleural cytology findings, there was again 100% concordance between the 50-mL samples and the larger samples. The minimum adequate pleural fluid volume for cytologic diagnosis has been a matter of debate. The strongest data to date came from a retrospective study in 2002. CONCLUSIONS: Our prospective study now unequivocally supports the concept that the submission of > 50 mL of pleural fluid for cytologic analysis does not increase diagnostic yield.

Cough and asthma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The intention of this article is to discuss and place into perspective recent articles on cough and asthma. RECENT FINDINGS: Asthma continues to be a major diagnosis in most studies of cough. The first prospective study of sub-acute cough demonstrated an asthma incidence lower than that for chronic cough, a logical finding; upper airway cough syndrome often causes cough in the postinfectious state. The first prospective study of cough in infants suggested asthma to be a minor cause of cough in infants, but methodological flaws make the conclusions uncertain. Efforts to separate cough-variant asthma from classic asthma continue. One group has demonstrated that the maximal bronchoconstrictor response in cough-variant asthma is blunted when compared with classic asthma, a possible explanation for the absence of wheeze and dyspnea in cough-variant asthma. Another look at airway resistance showed a less rapid rate of rise in resistance in cough-variant asthma with increasing methacholine dosing than in classic asthma. On the biochemical front, a group has demonstrated differences in vascular endothelial growth factor, which may be the underpinnings of differences between cough-variant asthma and classic asthma. SUMMARY: Recent data suggest that cough-variant asthma is part of a continuum in the expression of asthma symptoms and in the asthmatic inflammatory response.

Overview of common causes of chronic cough: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on the most common causes of chronic cough. METHODS: MEDLINE was searched (through May 2004) for studies published in the English language since 1980 on human subjects using the medical subject heading terms "cough," "causes of cough," and "etiology of cough." Case series and prospective descriptive clinical trials were selected for review. Also obtained were any references from these studies that were pertinent to the topic RESULTS: Upper airway cough syndrome (UACS) due to a variety of rhinosinus conditions, previously referred to as postnasal drip syndrome, asthma, nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis (NAEB), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are the most common causes of chronic cough. Each of these diagnoses may be present alone or in combination and may be clinically silent apart from the cough itself. CONCLUSION: In the absence of evidence for the presence of another disorder, an approach focused on detecting the presence of UACS, asthma, NAEB, or GERD, alone or in combination, is likely to have a far higher yield than routinely searching for relatively uncommon or obscure diagnoses.

Chronic upper airway cough syndrome secondary to rhinosinus diseases (previously referred to as postnasal drip syndrome): ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on postnasal drip syndrome (PNDS)-induced cough and the various causes of PNDS. Hereafter, PNDS will be referred to as upper airway cough syndrome (UACS). METHODS: MEDLINE search (through May 2004) for studies published in the English language since 1980 on human subjects using the medical subject heading terms "cough," "causes of cough," "etiology of cough," "postnasal drip," "allergic rhinitis," "vasomotor rhinitis," and "chronic sinusitis." Case series and prospective descriptive clinical trials were selected for review. Also, any references from these studies that were pertinent to the topic were obtained. RESULTS: In multiple prospective, descriptive studies of adults, PNDS due to a variety of upper respiratory conditions has been shown either singly or in combination with other conditions, to be the most common cause of chronic cough. The symptoms and signs of PNDS are nonspecific, and a definitive diagnosis of PND-induced cough cannot be made from the medical history and physical examination findings alone. Furthermore, the absence of any of the usual clinical findings does not rule out a response to treatment that is usually effective for PND-induced cough. The differential diagnosis of PNDS-induced cough includes allergic rhinitis, perennial nonallergic rhinitis, postinfectious rhinitis, bacterial sinusitis, allergic fungal sinusitis, rhinitis due to anatomic abnormalities, rhinitis due to physical or chemical irritants, occupational rhinitis, rhinitis medicamentosa, and rhinitis of pregnancy. Because of a high prevalence of upper respiratory symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), GERD may occasionally mimic PNDS. A crucial unanswered question is whether the conditions listed above actually produce cough through a final common pathway of PND or whether, in fact, in some circumstances they cause irritation or inflammation of upper airway structures that directly stimulate cough receptors and produce cough independently of or in addition to any associated PND. CONCLUSION: PNDS (ie, UACS) secondary to a variety of rhinosinus conditions is the most common cause of chronic cough. Because it is unclear whether the mechanisms of cough are the PND itself or the direct irritation or inflammation of the cough receptors located in the upper airway, the guideline committee has decided that, pending further data that address this difficult question, the committee unanimously recommends that the term upper airway cough syndrome be used in preference to postnasal drip syndrome when discussing cough associated with upper airway conditions.

Cough and the common cold: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on cough and the common cold. METHODS: MEDLINE was searched through May 2004 for studies published in the English language since 1980 on human subjects using the medical subject heading terms "cough" and "common cold." Selected case series and prospective descriptive clinical trials were reviewed. Additional references from these studies that were pertinent to the topic were also reviewed. RESULTS: Based on extrapolation from epidemiologic data, the common cold is believed to be the single most common cause of acute cough. The most likely mechanism is the direct irritation of upper airway structures. It is also clear that viral infections of the upper respiratory tract that produce the common cold syndrome frequently produce a rhinosinusitis. In the setting of a cold, the presence of abnormalities seen on sinus roentgenograms or sinus CT scans are frequently due to the viral infection and are not diagnostic of bacterial sinus infection. CONCLUSION: Cough due to the common cold is probably the most common cause of acute cough. In a significant subset of patients with "postinfectious" cough, the etiology is probably an inflammatory response triggered by a viral upper respiratory infection (ie, the common cold). The resultant subacute or chronic cough can be considered to be due to an upper airway cough syndrome, previously referred to as postnasal drip syndrome. This process can be self-perpetuating unless interrupted with active treatment.

Unexplained (idiopathic) cough: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on unexplained cough, previously referred to as idiopathic cough. METHODS: Search of MEDLINE (through May 2004) for studies published in the English language since 1980 on human subjects using the medical subject heading terms "cough," "unexplained cough," and "idiopathic cough." We selected case series and prospective descriptive clinical trials. We also obtained any references from these studies that were pertinent to the topic. RESULTS: The diagnosis of unexplained (idiopathic) cough should only be considered after a thorough diagnostic and treatment approach for the most common causes of cough has been completed and uncommon causes have been adequately evaluated Unless this is done, it is likely that many patients with a definable cause of cough will be misdiagnosed as having "unexplained cough." CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of unexplained cough is probably made too often based on an inadequate diagnostic workup or treatment course to determine the specific cause of cough. Nevertheless, there may be a group of patients in whom none of the usual explanations for cough may be present. For this group, the committee unanimously recommends using the diagnostic term unexplained cough, rather than idiopathic cough.

An empiric integrative approach to the management of cough: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: Review the literature to provide a comprehensive approach, including algorithms for the clinician to follow in evaluating and treating the patient with acute, subacute, and chronic cough. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE (through May 2004) for studies published in the English language since 1980 on human subjects using the medical subject heading terms "cough," "treatment of cough," and "empiric treatment of cough." We selected case series and prospective descriptive clinical trials. We also obtained any references from these studies that were pertinent to the topic. RESULTS: The relative frequency of the disorders (alone and in combination) that can cause cough as well as the sensitivity and specificity of many but not all diagnostic tests in predicting the cause of cough are known. An effective approach to successfully manage chronic cough is to sequentially evaluate and treat for the common causes of cough using a combination of selected diagnostic tests and empiric therapy. Sequential and additive therapy is often crucial because more than one cause of cough is frequently present. CONCLUSION: Algorithms that provide a "road map" that the clinician can follow are useful and are presented for acute, subacute, and chronic cough.