Chest
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Case Reports
Mycobacterium brisbanense species nova isolated from a patient with chronic cavitary lung infection.
We describe the first case, to our knowledge, of Mycobacterium brisbanense species nova with the type strain W6743T (=ATCC 49938T=DSM 44680T) isolated from the lungs of a man with a 6-month history of productive cough and intermittent fever presenting with acute hypoglycemia. A CT scan of the thorax revealed multiple small nodules and consolidation over both lungs with cavitation. ⋯ There was dramatic clinical and radiologic response to treatment with an empirical combination of rifampicin, ethambutol, and levofloxacin and subsequently clarithromycin and levofloxacin once sensitivity was known. This report is the first, to our knowledge, of the pathogen isolated in a patient with chronic cavitary lung infection since it was first identified from an antral sinus in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, and the first time it is isolated from a human subject in Malaysia.
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Risk prediction is challenging in chronic interstitial lung disease (ILD) because of heterogeneity in disease-specific and patient-specific variables. Our objective was to determine whether mortality is accurately predicted in patients with chronic ILD using the GAP model, a clinical prediction model based on sex, age, and lung physiology, that was previously validated in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. ⋯ The GAP model accurately predicts risk of death in chronic ILD. The ILD-GAP model accurately predicts mortality in major chronic ILD subtypes and at all stages of disease.
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Case Reports
Ethical dilemmas encountered with the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can serve as a bridge to recovery in cases of acute reversible illness, a bridge to transplantation in circumstances of irreversible cardiac or respiratory failure, a bridge to ventricular assist device therapy in select cases of cardiac failure, or a bridge to decision when the prognosis remains uncertain. Recent advances in ECMO technology that allow for prolonged support with decreased complications, the development of mobile ECMO teams, the rapidity of initiation, and the growing body of evidence, much of which remains controversial, have led to a significant increase in the use of ECMO worldwide. ⋯ In this article, we explore some of the ethical issues inherent in the decisions surrounding the initiation and withdrawal of ECMO by raising key questions and providing a framework for clinicians. We will address extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the inability to bridge a patient to transplant or recovery--the so-called "bridge to nowhere"--and the significance of resuscitation preferences in the setting of continual extracorporeal circulatory support.
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Observational Study
CT Measured Pulmonary Artery to Aorta Ratio and Echocardiography for Detecting Pulmonary Hypertension in Severe COPD.
COPD is associated with significant morbidity primarily driven by acute exacerbations. Relative pulmonary artery (PA) enlargement, defined as a PA to ascending aorta (A) diameter ratio greater than one (PA:A>1) identifies patients at increased risk for exacerbations. However, little is known about the correlation between PA:A, echocardiography, and invasive hemodynamics in COPD. ⋯ A PA:A ratio>1 on CT scan outperforms echocardiography for diagnosing resting PH in patients with severe COPD.
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This third and final installment of this series on innovative designs for the smart ICU addresses the steps involved in conceptualizing, actualizing, using, and maintaining the advanced ICU informatics infrastructure and systems. The smart ICU comprehensively and electronically integrates the patient in the ICU with all aspects of care, displays data in a variety of formats, converts data to actionable information, uses data proactively to enhance patient safety, and monitors the ICU environment to facilitate patient care and ICU management. ⋯ Although new technologies commonly appear compelling, they are also complicated and challenging to incorporate within existing or evolving hospital informatics systems. Therefore, careful analysis, deliberate testing, and a phased approach to the implementation of innovative technologies are necessary to achieve the multilevel solutions of the smart ICU.