Diffuse Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Network
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Incorporating climate-related events into clinical practice
Review six steps a pulmonary clinician can take prior to a climate-related event to prepare for a potential disaster scenario and mitigate patient risk.
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The impact of short telomere syndrome on lung transplantation
Short telomere syndrome can increase post-lung transplant complications, necessitating tailored pretransplant and posttransplant assessments and multidisciplinary care.
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Artificial intelligence and its application in interstitial lung disease
AI shows promise in improving ILD diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment decisions by analyzing complex data and patterns, though certain limitations hinder its clinical adoption.
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Extending exercise testing using telehealth monitoring in patients with ILD
The COVID-19 pandemic revolutionized the use of monitoring equipment in general and oxygen saturation monitoring devices as pulse oximeters in specific. Home technology devices such as home spirometry, smart apps, and wearable sensors combined with patient-reported outcome measures are increasingly used to monitor disease progression and medication compliance in addition to routine physical activity. The increasing adoption…
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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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HALT early recognition is key
Hyperammonemia after lung transplantation (HALT) is a rare but serious complication occurring in 1% to 4% of patients with high morbidity and mortality. Typically presenting within 2 weeks post transplant, HALT manifests as elevated serum ammonia levels with symptoms ranging from encephalopathy to seizures and cerebral edema. Early recognition is crucial, as mortality rates can…
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Short telomere length and immunosuppression: Updates in nonidiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease
Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a diverse group of relentlessly progressive fibroinflammatory disorders. Pharmacotherapy includes antifibrotics and immunosuppressants as foundational strategies to mitigate loss of lung function. There has been a growing interest in telomere length and its response to immunosuppression in the ILD community. Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide sequences that “cap” chromosomes and protect…
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Machine learning meets cardiopulmonary exercise testing
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a clinically useful modality to discriminate between cardiac, pulmonary, and musculoskeletal limitations to physical exertion. However, it is relatively underutilized due to the lack of local expertise necessary for accurate interpretation. Several studies have explored automation of CPET interpretation, the most notable of which utilized machine learning.1 Recently, Schwendinger et…
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Fighting for fresh air: RSV’s connection to environmental pollution
Poor air quality has numerous health hazards for patients with chronic lung disease. Now mounting evidence from pediatric studies suggests a concerning link between air pollution and viral infections, specifically respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Multiple studies have shown increased incidence and severity of disease in children with exposure to air pollutants such as particulate matter…
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CLAD prevention in lung transplant recipients: Tacrolimus vs cyclosporin
Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in lung transplant recipients (LTRs), accounting for around 40% of deaths.1 LTRs are typically maintained on a three-drug immunosuppressive regimen—a calcineurin inhibitor, antimetabolite agent, and corticosteroid—in order to prevent rejection. Strong randomized controlled trial-generated evidence guiding the choice of immunosuppressive therapy for…
