During ARDS, CT can reveal two distinct lung imaging patterns, focal or nonfocal, with different responses to positive end-expiratory pressure, recruitment maneuvers, and prone position. Nevertheless, their association with plasma biomarkers and their distinct functional/pathobiological mechanisms are unknown. The objective of this study was to characterize focal and nonfocal patterns of lung CT-based imaging with plasma markers of lung injury.

Conservative fluid management increases ventilator-free days without influencing overall mortality in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Plasma concentrations of B-type natriuretic peptide (a marker of ventricular filling) or aldosterone (a marker of effective circulating volume) may identify patients for whom fluid management impacts survival.

IL-5, a mediator of eosinophil activity, is an important potential treatment target in patients with uncontrolled asthma. The efficacy of reslizumab, a humanized anti-human IL-5 monoclonal antibody, has been characterized in patients with blood eosinophils ≥ 400 cells/μL. This study further characterizes the efficacy and safety of reslizumab in patients with poorly-controlled asthma, particularly those with eosinophils < 400 cells/μL.

Motivational enhancement (ME) shows promise as a means of increasing adherence to CPAP for OSA.

Despite their widespread use, the indications for the selective use of temporary inferior vena cava (IVC) filters remains uncertain with few trials supporting their use. Additionally, the risks of long-term temporary IVC filter insertion are being increasingly discussed amongst the mainstream media and through multiple class action lawsuits. Retrievable IVC filters were specifically designed to have a less secure implantation in order to facilitate retrieval. However, multiple reports have demonstrated significant filter-related complications, most commonly related to duration of implantation. Furthermore, the risk is not isolated to one manufacturer alone. The incidence of filter-related complications is linearly related to its duration of time on the market. Currently, the FDA recommends that IVC filters be removed within 25-54 days of their implantation. Unfortunately, little evidence exists to show that this recommendation is followed routinely. Recently, the PRESERVE Trial (NCT02381509) was initiated as a multicenter non-randomized open label study to determine the safety and effectiveness of commercially available IVC filters (both temporary and permanent) in individuals who require mechanical prophylaxis against pulmonary embolism. Until such evidence is developed, temporary IVC filters should be implanted based on best available evidence and routinely removed within the guidelines of the FDA of 25-54 days. A fair question at this point is whether the design features themselves that are required to manufacture a low profile removable IVC filter can achieve effective prophylaxis against pulmonary embolism at a low rate of short and long-term complications.

Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is a therapeutic intervention that delivers targeted thermal energy to the airway walls with the goal of ablating the smooth muscle in patients with severe persistent asthma. Since the publication of the original preclinical studies, three large randomized clinical trials evaluating its impact on asthma control have been performed. These trials have shown improvements in asthma-related quality of life and a reduction in asthma exacerbations following treatment with BT. However, there remains significant controversy regarding the true efficacy of BT and the interpretation of these studies, particularly the Asthma Intervention Research 2 trial. In this article, we will discuss these controversies and present the latest evidence on the use of BT in asthma, specifically the 5-year longitudinal evaluation of patients. In addition, we will discuss new insights into the histopathologic changes that occur in the airways following BT, as well as the feasibility of performing the procedure in patients with very severe asthma. We also will discuss the ongoing translational and clinical investigations regarding the underlying mechanism of action and methods to improve patient selection for this procedure.

Integrating newly developed tests and treatments for severe pulmonary embolism (PE) into clinical care requires coordinated multispecialty collaboration. To meet this need, we developed a new paradigm: a multidisciplinary Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT). In this report, we provide the first longitudinal analysis of patients treated by a PERT.

This study aimed to show whether circulating bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) levels are associated with increased risk of mortality in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Evidence linking OSA with hypertension in population studies is conflicting. We examined longitudinal and cross-sectional associations of previously unrecognized OSA, including OSA occurring in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, with hypertension.

Although existing research highlights the relationship of OSA and cardiovascular disease, the effect of OSA treatment on cardiovascular biomarkers remains unclear. We evaluated the effect of OSA treatment on oxidative stress/inflammation measures.

Markers for early identification of progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) are in demand. Chemokine CCL18, which has been linked to pulmonary inflammation, is an interesting candidate, but data have not been consistent. We aimed to assess CCL18 levels in a large, prospective, unselected SSc cohort with longitudinal, paired data sets on pulmonary function and lung fibrosis.

Neuromuscular disorders are increasingly recognized as a cause of both short- and long-term physical morbidity in survivors of critical illness. This recognition has given rise to research aimed at better understanding the risk factors and mechanisms associated with neuromuscular dysfunction and physical impairment associated with critical illness, as well as possible interventions to prevent or treat these issues. Among potential risk factors, bed rest is an important modifiable risk factor. Early mobilization and rehabilitation of patients who are critically ill may help prevent or mitigate the sequelae of bed rest and improve patient outcomes. Research studies and quality improvement projects have demonstrated that early mobilization and rehabilitation are safe and feasible in patients who are critically ill, with potential benefits including improved physical functioning and decreased duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care, and hospital stay. Despite these findings, early mobilization and rehabilitation are still uncommon in routine clinical practice, with many perceived barriers. This review summarizes potential risk factors for neuromuscular dysfunction and physical impairment associated with critical illness, highlights the potential role of early mobilization and rehabilitation in improving patient outcomes, and discusses some of the commonly perceived barriers to early mobilization and strategies for overcoming them.

Obesity is known to be an important risk factor for OSA; however, OSA can also be seen in nonobese patients with a small maxilla and/or mandible as well as in all obese patients with such features. Thus, we hypothesized that regional factors, oropharyngeal crowding associated with fat deposition, and maxillomandibular enclosure size closely related to the severity of OSA.

Recent advances in the three-dimensional (3D) printing industry have enabled clinicians to explore the use of 3D printing in preprocedural planning, biomedical tissue modeling, and direct implantable device manufacturing. Despite the increased adoption of rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing techniques in the health-care field, many physicians lack the technical skill set to use this exciting and useful technology. Additionally, the growth in the 3D printing sector brings an ever-increasing number of 3D printers and printable materials. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to keep abreast of this rapidly developing field in order to benefit. In this Ahead of the Curve, we review the history of 3D printing from its inception to the most recent biomedical applications. Additionally, we will address some of the major barriers to wider adoption of the technology in the medical field. Finally, we will provide an initial guide to 3D modeling and printing by demonstrating how to design a personalized airway prosthesis via 3D Slicer. We hope this information will reduce the barriers to use and increase clinician participation in the 3D printing health-care sector.

Previous studies reported an association of diabetes mellitus (DM) with TB susceptibility. Many studies were retrospective, had weak diagnostic criteria for DM, and did not assess other comorbidities. The Effects of Diabetes on Tuberculosis Severity (EDOTS) study is addressing these limitations with a longitudinal comparison of patients with TB who are classified as diabetic or normoglycemic according to World Health Organization criteria. We report interim findings after enrolling 159 of a planned 300 subjects.

Cough is recognized as an important troublesome symptom in the diagnosis and monitoring of asthma. Asthma control is thought to be determined by the degree of airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness but how these factors relate to cough frequency is unclear. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationships between objective cough frequency, disease control, airflow obstruction, and airway inflammation in asthma.

There is a widening gap between sleep provider access and patient demand for it. An American Academy of Sleep Medicine position paper recently recognized sleep telemedicine as one tool to narrow that divide. We define the term sleep telemedicine as the use of sleep-related medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve a patient's health. Applicable data transfer methods include telephone, video, smartphone applications, and the Internet. Their usefulness for the treatment of insomnia and sleep-disordered breathing is highlighted. Sleep telemedicine programs range in complexity from telephone-based patient feedback systems to comprehensive treatment pathways incorporating real-time video, telephone, and the Internet. While large, randomized trials are lacking, smaller studies comparing telemedicine with in-person care suggest noninferiority in terms of patient satisfaction, adherence to treatment, and symptomatic improvement. Sleep telemedicine is feasible from a technological and quality-driven perspective, but cost uncertainties, complex reimbursement structures, and variable licensing rules remain significant challenges to its feasibility on a larger scale. As legislative reform pends, larger randomized trials are needed to elucidate impact on patient outcomes, cost, and health-care system accessibility.

A 26-year-old woman presented with abnormal findings on a chest radiograph. She had no significant history other than a fever 4 months prior to presentation that had resolved without a definite cause identified. She denied cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, history of smoking, environmental exposures, or prior pregnancies. She remained physically active.

A 45-year-old woman who received a renal transplant 7 years prior presented with a 3-week history of low-grade fever, night sweats, and a dry cough with scant sputum production. Additionally, she reported generalized weakness and increased fatigability. She denied hemoptysis or weight loss, and there had been no change in medication or foreign travel. She had no history of latent tuberculosis or sick contacts. She had recently relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was sexually active with her boyfriend who worked as a prison guard. She also reported that she was briefly incarcerated 7 years ago shortly after her renal transplantation. Her immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus, mycophenolate, and prednisone.

A 38-year-old black woman with a medical history significant for hypertension and depression presented to the emergency department with a 2-week history of lower back pain. This visit was her second in 1 week with the same symptoms, after attaining minimal pain relief with cyclobenzaprine.