CHEST Physician
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Revival of the aspiration vs chest tube debate for PSP
Considerable heterogeneity exists in the management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). American and European guidelines have been grappling with this question for decades: What is the best way to manage PSP? A 2023 randomized, controlled trial (Marx et al. AJRCCM) sought to answer this. The study recruited 379 adults aged 18 to 55 years between…
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Advocating for diversity in medical education
Earlier this year, Representative Greg Murphy, MD, along with several cosponsors, introduced H.R. 7725, the Embracing Anti-Discrimination, Unbiased Curricula, and Advancing Truth in Education (EDUCATE) Act. If enacted, the EDUCATE Act would cut off federal funding to medical schools that force students or faculty to adopt specific beliefs; discriminate based on race or ethnicity; or…
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Top reads from the CHEST journal portfolio – October 2024
Explore articles on PAP adherence, plasma biomarkers in ARDS, and airways disorders hospitalizations during wildfire season
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Pseudomonas infection in patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a clinically important organism that infects patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB). In the United States, the estimated prevalence of NCFB is 213 per 100,000 across all age groups and 813 per 100,000 in the over 65 age group.1 A retrospective cohort study suggests the incidence of NCFB as ascertained from International…
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Prediction models in sepsis
Early recognition is the linchpin of sepsis management, as mortality from sepsis increases by 4% to 9% for every hour that diagnosis and treatment are delayed.1 2 Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are increasingly featured in discussions and publications about sepsis care. Already ML models are embedded in electronic medical records (EMR), driving…
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The gas stove: Friend or foe?
The kitchen is considered the heart of the home, but recent discoveries have raised concerns about whether this beloved space might also pose hidden health risks. Gas stoves, present in 38% of U.S. homes, generate multiple pollutants including nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a known respiratory irritant.1 Studies have identified a correlation between NO₂ levels and respiratory…
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Sleep and athletic performance
Considering the recent Olympics, it is timely to review the importance of sleep for optimal athletic performance. When surveyed, 20% to 50% of athletes report poor or insufficient sleep, with consequences across four categories.1 2 Athletic performance: Objective measures of athletic performance, such as oxygen-carrying capacity during cardiopulmonary exercise and even sport-specific accuracy measures, like…
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Lung ultrasound: An indispensable yet underutilized tool
An assessment using bedside thoracic ultrasound (TUS) improves diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic management in critically ill patients without undue risk. With changes in diagnosis occurring in 23% of cases and alterations in management in 39% of critically ill patients, TUS can improve length of stay, reduce complications, minimize delays in therapy, and lower hospitalization costs.1…
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CHEST releases new guideline on management of central airway obstruction
CHEST recently released a new clinical guideline on central airway obstruction (CAO). Published in the journal CHEST®, the guideline contains 12 evidence-based recommendations to guide the management of both malignant and nonmalignant CAO. “Central airway obstruction is associated with a poor prognosis, and the management of CAO is highly variable dependent on the provider expertise…
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The countdown to CHEST 2024 begins
As we find ourselves in September, I cannot help but dedicate my column to the upcoming CHEST Annual Meeting quickly approaching, October 6 to 9, in Boston. If you haven’t yet been to a CHEST Annual Meeting, it’s an unmatched experience. We have top-notch experts in the field delivering content and materials in a variety…
