Chest
-
Patients with pulmonary subsolid nodules (SSNs) ≤ 2 cm in diameter and a consolidation-to-tumor ratio (CTR) ≤ 0.25 have good postoperative prognoses, but their management remains controversial. ⋯ Patients with SSNs ≤ 2 cm in diameter and CTR ≤ 0.25, watchful waiting could be more appropriate than upfront surgical intervention.
-
Adaptation of the right ventricle is a key determinant of outcomes in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Despite a compelling rationale to develop targeted therapies for the right ventricle in PAH, no such treatments exist. H2-receptor antagonism is a potential myocardial-focused paradigm in heart failure. ⋯ The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03554291).
-
There are physician shortages in the United States including in the cardiopulmonary specialty. Nonphysician advanced practice providers, including nurse practitioners or physician assistants, have been proposed to meet some more routine patient care needs. A supplementary provider called an advanced practice respiratory therapist (APRT) has been proposed. ⋯ The study exposed a set of survey-derived metrics about potential content signaling whether there was endorsement among physicians, nonphysician advanced practice providers, and APRT graduates. Metrics are described from these and other subgroups plus the committee's decisions are explained about what content to assess and how. Most of the surveyed content was endorsed for being part of the APRT role; therefore, the committee proceeded to make design decisions about the outcome assessment.
-
Multicenter Study
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Cellular Analysis and Radiologic Patterns in Patients with Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease.
BAL cellular analysis is often recommended during the initial diagnostic evaluation of fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD). Despite recommendation for its use, between-center heterogeneity exists and supportive data concerning the clinical utility and correlation of BAL findings with radiologic features or patterns remain sparse. ⋯ BAL cellular analyses did not significantly correlate with radiologic features, guideline patterns, or MDD-based diagnoses. Ground glass opacities are often interpreted to represent pulmonary inflammation, but were not associated with BAL lymphocytosis in this cohort.