Chest
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The finances of academic medical centers (AMCs) are complex and rapidly evolving. This financial environment can have important effects on faculty expectations, compensation, and the work environment. This article describes the commonly used concepts and models related to financial decision-making in Pulmonology and Critical Care divisions across AMCs in the United States. ⋯ Measurements of productivity within education have been less codified, but some centers are attempting to create educational relative value units similar to those used in clinical productivity. In summary, faculty should understand basic concepts of finances. This knowledge includes a common set of terms and concepts that can help all faculty understand basic financial considerations in their work and lead to success for their divisions.
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Classically, mitochondria have largely been believed to influence the development of illness by modulating cell metabolism and determining the rate of production of high-energy phosphate compounds (eg, adenosine triphosphate). It is now recognized that this view is simplistic and that mitochondria play key roles in many other processes, including cell signaling, regulating gene expression, modulating cellular calcium levels, and influencing the activation of cell death pathways (eg, caspase activation). ⋯ This article reviews these evolving concepts relating mitochondrial function and acute illness. The discussion is organized into four sections: (1) basics of mitochondrial physiology; (2) cellular mechanisms of mitochondrial pathophysiology; (3) critical care disease processes whose initiation and evolution are shaped by mitochondrial pathophysiology; and (4) emerging treatments for mitochondrial dysfunction in critical illness.
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Review
Phenotypic sub-types of obstructive sleep apnea: a challenge and opportunity for precision medicine.
Current strategies for the management of OSA reflect a one-size-fits-all approach. Diagnosis and severity of OSA are based on the apnea-hypopnea index and treatment initiated with CPAP, followed by trials of alternatives (eg, oral appliances) if CPAP "fails." This approach does not consider the heterogeneity of individuals with OSA, reflected by varying risk factors, pathophysiological causes, clinical manifestations, and consequences. Recently, studies using analytic approaches such as cluster analysis have taken advantage of this heterogeneity to identify OSA phenotypes, or subtypes of patients with unique characteristics, that may enable more personalized approaches to prognostication and treatment. ⋯ This review summarizes the findings from recent cluster analysis studies in sleep apnea and synthesizes common themes to describe the potential role (and limitations) of phenotypic subtypes in precision medicine for OSA. It also highlights future directions, including linking of phenotypes to clinically relevant outcomes, rigorous and transparent assessment of phenotype reproducibility, and need for tools that categorize patients into subtypes, to prospectively validate phenotype-based prognostication and treatment approaches. Finally, we highlight the critical need to include women and more racially/ethnically diverse populations in this area of research if we are to leverage the heterogeneity of OSA to improve patient lives.
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The development of combination antiretroviral therapies (cARTs) in the mid-1990s has dramatically modified the clinical presentation of critically ill, HIV-infected patients. Most cART-treated patients aging with controlled HIV replication are currently admitted to the ICU for non-AIDS-related events, mostly bacterial pneumonia and exacerbation of comorbidities, variably affected by chronic HIV infection (COPD, cardiovascular diseases, or solid neoplasms). Today, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, cerebral toxoplasmosis, TB, and other severe opportunistic infections only occur in patients with unknown viral status, limited access to cART, viral resistance, or compliance issues. ⋯ Case fatality dropped substantially over the past decades, reaching figures of HIV-uninfected critically ill patients with similar demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and level of organ dysfunctions. Several other facets of critical care management have evolved in this population, including diagnostic procedures, cART management at the acute phase of critical illness, and ethical considerations. The goal of this narrative review was to depict the current evidence and emerging challenges for the management of critically ill, HIV-infected patients, almost 40 years following the onset of the AIDS epidemic.
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Review
Electrosurgical and Laser Therapy Tools for the Management of Malignant Central Airway Obstructions.
Central airway obstruction (CAO) is associated with significant morbidity and increased mortality. Bronchoscopic electrosurgical and laser ablative tools have proven to be safe and effective instruments for the treatment of malignant CAO. ⋯ These modalities are considered safe in the hands of experienced operators, although serious complications can occur. This review describes various electrosurgical and laser therapy tools used for the treatment of malignant CAO along with the specific advantages and disadvantages of each device.