Chest
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Programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression on tumor cells, evaluated by immunohistochemistry, guides the use of immunotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ⋯ Cytologic specimens provide an accurate assessment of PD-L1 expression in most patients with NSCLC, at both ≥ 1% and ≥ 50% cutoffs, when compared with histologic specimens.
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Review
Consideration and Assessment of Patient Factors When Selecting an Inhaled Delivery System in COPD.
Because guidelines and strategies for pharmacologic treatment of COPD focus on specific classes of inhaled medications, there is an unmet need for information to guide health care professionals for selecting an inhaled medication delivery system that matches the unique characteristics of individual patients. This article provides guidance for selecting an inhaled medication delivery system based on three "key" patient factors: cognitive function, manual dexterity/strength, and peak inspiratory flow. In addition, information is provided about specific tests to assess these patient factors. ⋯ A suboptimal PIFr for low to medium-high resistance dry powder inhalers has been reported in 19% to 84% of stable outpatients with COPD. Health care professionals should consider cognitive function, manual dexterity/strength, and PIFr in their patients with COPD when prescribing inhaled pharmacotherapy. Impairments in these patient factors are common among those with COPD and can affect the individual's competency and effectiveness of using inhaled medications delivered by handheld devices.
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The lung allocation score (LAS) is a tool used to prioritize patients for lung transplantation. For patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), spirometry data are used for the LAS calculation. Spirometry values such as a FVC are subjected to race-specific equations that determine expected values. The effect of race-specific equations in LAS score remains unknown. ⋯ Race-specific equations led to longer wait times in Black patients listed for lung transplantation. The use of race-based equations widened already known disparities in pulmonary transplantation.
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A 20-year-old patient with cystic fibrosis (CF) complicated by pansinusitis, pancreatic insufficiency, and diabetes presented to the local ED after an episode of large-volume hemoptysis at home. At baseline, she had advanced lung disease (FEV1, 0.97 L; 31% predicted) and upper lobe-predominant fibrocavitary changes. ⋯ She had never used tobacco, without reports of recreational inhaled drug use. Her mother had CF, and one of her brothers died in 2018 at age 24 of respiratory failure resulting from the disease.
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A 74-year-old man presented to our department with progressive dyspnea on exertion over the last year. The patient did not report any other symptoms. ⋯ His history included asymptomatic Waldenström's macroglobulinemia that was diagnosed 18 months before respiratory symptoms. He was not receiving any treatment and was monitored regularly by the hematology department.