Lung Cancer Screening: Review and 2021 Update.

Purpose of Review: Lung cancer screening with low-dose CT (LDCT) scans has been widely accepted within the last decade. Our knowledge and ability to implement screening has greatly increased because of significant research efforts and guidelines from multiple professional societies. The purpose of this review is to summarize some of the significant findings pertaining to lung cancer screening. Recent Findings: Screening with LDCT decreases lung cancer mortality in multiple studies. Use of validated risk prediction calculators can improve patient selection and screening efficiency. Shared decision making and smoking cessation counseling are essential screening components. Multidisciplinary involvement is required for the success of a screening program. Summary: Lung cancer screening is complex, and implementation of a successful program requires multidisciplinary expertise. Further prospective studies are required to determine optimal patient selection, screening intervals, and strategies to maximize benefit while further decreasing harms.'

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction: recent updates.

Emphysema causes significant morbidity and mortality, incurring both financial and psychosocial costs. Alternatives to medical therapy and surgical lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) have increased interest in bronchoscopic techniques. Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) is still in its infancy and additional trials and follow-up are critical. However, several new randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have demonstrated improvement in lung function, quality of life and exercise capacity in select patients receiving endobronchial valves and coil therapy. This article highlights recent data regarding bronchoscopic treatment of emphysema.

Lung Endothelial MicroRNA-1 Regulates Tumor Growth and Angiogenesis.

RATIONALE: Vascular endothelial growth factor down-regulates microRNA-1 (miR-1) in the lung endothelium, and endothelial cells play a critical role in tumor progression and angiogenesis. OBJECTIVES: To examine the clinical significance of miR-1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its specific role in tumor endothelium. METHODS: miR-1 levels were measured by Taqman assay. Endothelial cells were isolated by magnetic sorting. We used vascular endothelial cadherin promoter to create a vascular-specific miR-1 lentiviral vector and an inducible transgenic mouse. KRASG12D mut/Trp53-/- (KP) mice, lung-specific vascular endothelial growth factor transgenic mice, Lewis lung carcinoma xenografts, and primary endothelial cells were used to test the effects of miR-1. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In two cohorts of patients with NSCLC, miR-1 levels were lower in tumors than the cancer-free tissue. Tumor miR-1 levels correlated with the overall survival of patients with NSCLC. miR-1 levels were also lower in endothelial cells isolated from NSCLC tumors and tumor-bearing lungs of KP mouse model. We examined the significance of lower miR-1 levels by testing the effects of vascular-specific miR-1 overexpression. Vector-mediated delivery or transgenic overexpression of miR-1 in endothelial cells decreased tumor burden in KP mice, reduced the growth and vascularity of Lewis lung carcinoma xenografts, and decreased tracheal angiogenesis in vascular endothelial growth factor transgenic mice. In endothelial cells, miR-1 level was regulated through phosphoinositide 3-kinase and specifically controlled proliferation, de novo DNA synthesis, and ERK1/2 activation. Myeloproliferative leukemia oncogene was targeted by miR-1 in the lung endothelium and regulated tumor growth and angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Endothelial miR-1 is down-regulated in NSCLC tumors and controls tumor progression and angiogenesis.

Postoperative Complications in Patients With Unrecognized Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome Undergoing Elective Noncardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Among patients with OSA, a higher number of medical morbidities are known to be associated with those who have obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) compared with OSA alone. OHS can pose a higher risk of postoperative complications after elective noncardiac surgery (NCS) and often is unrecognized at the time of surgery. The objective of this study was to retrospectively identify patients with OHS and compare their postoperative outcomes with those of patients with OSA alone. METHODS: Patients meeting criteria for OHS were identified within a large cohort with OSA who underwent elective NCS at a major tertiary care center. We identified postoperative outcomes associated with OSA and OHS as well as the clinical determinants of OHS (BMI, apnea-hypopnea index [AHI]). Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were used for dichotomous and continuous outcomes, respectively. RESULTS: Patients with hypercapnia from definite or possible OHS and overlap syndrome are more likely to experience postoperative respiratory failure (OR, 10.9; 95% CI, 3.7-32.3; P < .0001), postoperative heart failure (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.9-15.7; P = .002), prolonged intubation (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 0.6-15.3; P = .2), postoperative ICU transfer (OR, 10.9; 95% CI, 3.7-32.3; P < .0001), and longer ICU (?-coefficient, 0.86; SE, 0.32; P = .009) and hospital (?-coefficient, 2.94; SE, 0.87; P = .0008) lengths of stay compared with patients with OSA. Among the clinical determinants of OHS, neither BMI nor AHI showed associations with any postoperative outcomes in univariable or multivariable regression. CONCLUSIONS: Better emphasis is needed on preoperative recognition of hypercapnia among patients with OSA or overlap syndrome undergoing elective NCS.

Comparison of Transbronchial and Cryobiopsies in Evaluation of Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLDs) are common. An accurate diagnosis is essential due to differences in etiology, clinicopathologic features, therapeutic options, and prognosis. Transbronchial lung biopsies (TBLBs) are often limited by small specimen size, crush artifact, and other factors. Transbronchial lung cryobiopsies (TBLCs) are under investigation to overcome these limitations. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 56 patients in a single, tertiary-care academic center to compare the yield of both techniques when performed in the same patient. Patients underwent flexible bronchoscopy using moderate sedation with TBLB followed by TBLC in the most radiographically abnormal areas. Clinical data and postprocedural outcomes were reviewed, with a final diagnosis made utilizing a multidisciplinary approach. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 60 years and 54% were male. Comorbidities included COPD (14%) and prior malignancy (48%). The number of TBLB specimens ranged from 1 to 10 per patient (mean 4) and size varied from 0.1 to 0.8 cm. The number of TBLC specimens ranged from 1 to 4 per patient (mean 2) and size ranged from 0.4 to 2.6 cm. Both techniques provided the same diagnosis in 26 patients (46%). An additional 11 (20%) patients had a diagnosis established by adding TBLC to TBLB. Compared with TBLB, TBLC had a higher diagnostic yield in patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis and interstitial lung disease. Only 2 patients required video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery to establish a diagnosis. Complications included pneumothorax (20%) and massive hemoptysis (2%). CONCLUSION: TBLC used with TBLB can improve the diagnostic yield of flexible bronchoscopy in patients with DPLD.

Postoperative complications in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Unrecognized obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with unfavorable perio-perative outcomes among patients undergoing noncardiac surgery (NCS). METHODS: The study population was chosen from 39,771 patients who underwent internal medicine preoperative assessment between January 2002 and December 2006. Patients undergoing NCS within 3 years of polysomnography (PSG) were considered for the study, whereas those < 18 years of age, with a history of upper airway surgery, or who had had minor surgery under local or regional anesthesia were excluded. Patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5 were defined as OSA and those with an AHI < 5 as control subjects. For adjusting baseline differences in age, sex, race, BMI, type of anesthesia, American Society of Anesthesiology class, and medical comorbidities, the patients were classified into five quintiles according to a propensity score. RESULTS: Out of a total of 1,759 patients who underwent both PSG and NCS, 471 met the study criteria. Of these, 282 patients had OSA, and the remaining 189 served as control subjects. The presence of OSA was associated with a higher incidence of postoperative hypoxemia (OR, 7.9; P = .009), overall complications (OR, 6.9; P = .003), and ICU transfer (OR, 4.43; P = .069), and a longer hospital length of stay (LOS), (OR, 1.65; P = .049). Neither an AHI nor use of continuous positive airway pressure at home before surgery was associated with postoperative complications (P = .3 and P = .75, respectively) or LOS (P = .97 and P = .21, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with OSA are at higher risk of postoperative hypoxemia, ICU transfers, and longer hospital stay.