Chest
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Patients with lung cancer, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and COPD have high symptom burden, poor quality of life, and high health care use at the end of life. Although proactive integration of palliative care in lung cancer can improve outcomes, it is unclear whether similar practices have been adopted in COPD and IPF care. ⋯ Patients with COPD and IPF are less likely to receive outpatient palliative care and opioid prescriptions and are more likely to use end-of-life intensive care than patients with lung cancer. Further research should explore health system barriers contributing to differences in care patterns to optimize quality of life and to align with patient goals of care.
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Pulmonary hypertension (PH) frequently complicates the evaluation of kidney transplantation (KT) candidates, and is associated with increased adverse outcomes [mortality, delayed graft function (DGF), and major adverse cardiovascular event] following KT. ⋯ Precapillary pulmonary hypertension and an mPAP of ≥ 30 mm Hg on RHC, but not echocardiographic evidence of PH, was associated with mortality and major adverse cardiovascular event following KT. These data suggest that RHC hemodynamics are superior to echocardiographic measures of PH in association with outcomes following KT, and RHC-derived mPAP in particular may have value in predicting major adverse cardiovascular event and mortality post-KT.
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The promise of artificial intelligence has generated enthusiasm among patients, health care professionals, and technology developers who seek to leverage its potential to enhance the diagnosis and management of an increasing number of chronic and acute conditions. Point-of-care testing increases access to care because it enables care outside of traditional medical settings. Collaboration among developers, clinicians, and end users is an effective best practice for solving clinical problems. A common set of clearly defined terms that are easily understood by research teams is a valuable tool that fosters these collaborations.
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Early randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) have shown clinically meaningful benefits in lung function, dyspnea, and quality of life in patients with severe emphysema. Safety outcome data obtained after BLVR in the United States are scarce outside the RCTs. ⋯ The real-world complication rate after BLVR was similar to the published complication rates from early randomized clinical trials. In-hospital mortality was low, suggesting that aside from the commonly anticipated complications, BLVR is a safe treatment option for severe emphysema.