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Kerry L Hancock,1 Sinthia Bosnic-Anticevich,2– 4 John D Blakey,5,6 Mark Hew,7,8 Li Ping Chung,9 Biljana Cvetkovski,3 Scott Claxton,10 Peter Del Fante,11 Eve Denton,7,8 Joe Doan,12 Kanchanamala Ranasinghe,13,14 Lucy Morgan,15– 17 Anita Sharma,18 Peter K Smith,19 Deb Stewart,20 Philip J Thompson,21– 23 Russell Wiseman,24 John W Upham,25 Kwok Y Yan,26 Victoria Carter,27 Kiranjeet Dhillon,28 Florian Heraud,28 Thao Le,27 Rebecca Vella,28 David Price27– 30 On behalf of the OPCA Improving Asthma outcomes in Australia Research Group1Chandlers Hill Surgery, Happy Valley, SA, 5159, Australia; 2Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia; 3Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Glebe, MSW, 2037, Australia; 4Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia; 5Respiratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Hospital Ave, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia; 6Curtin University Medical School, Bentley, Western Australia, 6102, Australia; 7Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia; 8Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Victoria, 3800, Australia; 9Fiona Stanley Hospital, 11 Robin Warren Dr, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia; 10Genesis Care Sleep and Respiratory, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia; 11Hutt Street General Practice, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia; 12HealthPlus Medical Centre, Kogarah, NSW, 2217, Australia; 13School of Medicine, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia; 14Cannon Hill Family Doctors, Cannon Hill, QLD, 4170, Australia; 15Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 16Department of Thoracic Medicine, Concord Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 17Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 18Platinum Medical Centre, Chermside, QLD, 4032, Australia; 19Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia; 20Adjunct Lecturer, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Churchill Ave, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia; 21The Lung Health Clinic, Hollywood Medical Centre, Nedlands, 6009, Australia; 22The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia; 23Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, 6102, Australia; 24Suncoast Medical Centre, Coolum Beach, QLD, 4573, Australia; 25Diamantina Institute & PA-Southside Clinical Unit, the University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia; 26Department of Respiratory Medicine, W, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia; 27Optimum Patient Care, Cambridgeshire, CB24 3BA, UK; 28Optimum Patient Care Australia, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia; 29Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute, Midview City, 573969, Singapore; 30Centre of Academic Primary Care, Division of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UKCorrespondence: David Price, Optimum Patient Care Australia, 320 Adelaide St, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia, Tel +4 05 764 842, Email dprice@opri.sgIntroduction: Asthma poses a significant burden for the Australian population. Understanding severe exacerbation rates, and steroid-related burden for adults diagnosed with asthma stands to offer insights into how this could be reduced.Methods: Electronic medical records (EMR) and questionnaires from the Optimum Patient Care Research Database Australia (OPCRDA) were utilised retrospectively. OPCRDA is a real-world database with > 800,000 medical records from Australian primary care practices. Outcomes were severe asthma exacerbations in Australian adults, over a 12-month period, stratified by Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) treatment intensity steps, and steroid associated comorbidities.Results: Of the 7868 adults treated for asthma, 19% experienced at least one severe exacerbation in the last 12-months. Severe exacerbation frequency increased with treatment intensity (≥ 1 severe exacerbation GINA 1 13%; GINA 4 23%; GINA 5a 33% and GINA 5b 28%). Questionnaire participants reported higher rates of severe exacerbations than suggested from their EMR (32% vs 23%) especially in steps 1, 4 and 5. Patients repeatedly exposed to steroids had an increased risk of osteoporosis (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.43– 2.66) and sleep apnoea (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.30– 2.46).Conclusion: The Australian population living with GINA 1, 4, 5a and 5b asthma have high severe exacerbation rates and steroid-related burden, especially when compared to other first world countries, with these patients needing alternative strategies or possibly specialist assessment to better manage their condition.Keywords: asthma, exacerbations, oral corticosteroids, adults, Australia

Many patients with difficult asthma also have coexisting vocal cord dysfunction (VCD), evident by paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM) on laryngoscopy.Among patients with difficult asthma, we sought to identify clinical features associated with laryngoscopy-diagnosed PVFM.Consecutive patients with "difficult asthma" referred by respiratory specialists underwent systematic assessment in this observational study. Those with a high clinical suspicion for VCD were referred for laryngoscopy, either at rest or after mannitol provocation. Statistical analyses were performed to identify clinical factors associated with PVFM, and a multivariate logistic regression model was fitted to control for confounders.Of 169 patients with difficult asthma, 63 (37.3%) had a high clinical probability of VCD. Of 42 who underwent laryngoscopy, 32 had PVFM confirmed. Patients with PVFM more likely had preserved lung function (prebronchodilator forced expiratory ratio 74% ± 11 vs 62% ± 16, P.001); physiotherapist-confirmed dysfunctional breathing (odds ratio [OR] = 5.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4-12.7, P.001), gastro-oesophageal reflux (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.16-5.8, P = .02), and a lower peripheral eosinophil count (0.09 vs 0.23, P = .004). On multivariate logistic regression, independent predictors for PVFM were dysfunctional breathing (OR = 4.93, 95% CI: 2-12, P.001) and preserved lung function (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.028-1.106, P.001).Among specialist-referred patients with difficult asthma, VCD pathogenesis may overlap with dysfunctional breathing but is not associated with severe airflow obstruction. Dysfunctional breathing and preserved lung function may serve as clinical clues for the presence of VCD.

We examined the pattern of adrenaline administration in patients presenting with anaphylaxis. Forty-four percent required repeated adrenaline administration, among whom there had been greater cardiorespiratory compromise. Repeated administration was more frequent in males and older patients, and those triggered by insect sting or unknown cause; no other patient factors were identified. This study supports the provision of two adrenaline auto-injectors to all anaphylaxis patients.

Background: Allergy, eosinophilic inflammation, and epithelial dysregulation are implicated in severe asthma pathogenesis. Objective: We characterized biomarker expression in adults with severe asthma. Methods: Within the International Severe Asthma Registry (ISAR), we analyzed data from 10 countries in North America, Europe, and Asia, with prespecified thresholds for biomarker positivity (serum IgE ≥ 75 kU/L, blood eosinophils ≥ 300 cells/μL, and FeNO ≥ 25 ppb), and with hierarchical cluster analysis using biomarkers as continuous variables. Results: Of 1,175 patients; 64% were female, age (mean ± SD) 53 ± 15 years, body mass index (BMI) 30 ± 8, postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) predicted 72% ± 20%. By prespecified thresholds, 59% were IgE positive, 57% eosinophil positive, and 58% FeNO positive. There was substantial inflammatory biomarker overlap; 59% were positive for either 2 or 3 biomarkers. Five distinct clusters were identified: cluster 1 (61%, low-to-medium biomarkers) comprised highly symptomatic, older females with elevated BMI and frequent exacerbations; cluster 2 (18%, elevated eosinophils and FeNO) older females with lower BMI and frequent exacerbations; cluster 3 (14%, extremely high FeNO) older, highly symptomatic, lower BMI, and preserved lung function; cluster 4 (6%, extremely high IgE) younger, long duration of asthma, elevated BMI, and poor lung function; cluster 5 (1.2%, extremely high eosinophils) younger males with low BMI, poor lung function, and high burden of sinonasal disease and polyposis. Conclusions: There is significant overlap of biomarker positivity in severe asthma. Distinct clusters according to biomarker expression exhibit unique clinical characteristics, suggesting the occurrence of discrete patterns of underlying inflammatory pathway activation and providing pathogenic insights relevant to the era of monoclonal biologics.

Background Understanding of dysfunctional breathing in patients with difficult asthma who remain symptomatic despite maximal inhaler therapy is limited. Objective We characterized the pattern of dysfunctional breathing in patients with difficult asthma and identified possible contributory factors. Methods Dysfunctional breathing was identified in patients with difficult asthma using the Nijmegen Questionnaire (score >23). Demographic characteristics, asthma variables, and comorbidities were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression was performed for dysfunctional breathing, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and airflow obstruction. Results Of 157 patients with difficult asthma, 73 (47%) had dysfunctional breathing. Compared with patients without dysfunctional breathing, those with dysfunctional breathing experienced poorer asthma status (symptom control, quality of life, and exacerbation rates) and greater unemployment. In addition, more frequently they had elevated sino-nasal outcome test scores, anxiety, depression, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux. On multivariate analysis, anxiety (odds ratio [OR], 3.26; 95% CI, 1.18-9.01; P = .02), depression (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.14-6.9; P = .03), and 22-item sino-nasal outcome test score (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.003-1.05; P = .03) were independent risk factors for dysfunctional breathing. Conclusions Dysfunctional breathing is common in difficult asthma and associated with worse asthma status and unemployment. The independent association with psychological disorders and nasal obstruction highlight an important interaction between comorbid treatable traits in difficult asthma.

Background Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is present in 25% to 50% of patients with asthma. When both diagnoses are suspected, accurate diagnosis and targeted management represent a clinical challenge. Objective To evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes following systematic assessment for patients with concurrent suspected VCD and asthma. Methods Patients underwent systematic evaluation by clinical assessment and validated questionnaires, followed by multidisciplinary management. VCD was confirmed by visualization of paradoxical vocal fold motion at baseline or following provocation. Asthma was confirmed by demonstrating variable airflow obstruction. Asthma medications were deescalated in those with low clinical probability of asthma and no variable airflow obstruction. Response to 2 or more sessions of speech pathology was assessed by subjective report and standardized questionnaires. Results Among 212 consecutive patients, 62 (29%) patients had both VCD and asthma, 54 (26%) had VCD alone, 51 (24%) had asthma alone, and 45 (21%) had neither. Clinician assessment and the Laryngeal Hypersensitivity Questionnaire both predicted laryngoscopy-confirmed VCD. Deescalation or discontinuation of asthma therapy was possible in 37 of 59 (63%) patients without variable airflow obstruction, and was most successful (odds ratio, 5.5) in the presence of laryngoscopy-confirmed VCD (25 of 31, or 81%) Patients with VCD responded subjectively to 2 or more sessions of speech pathology, but laryngeal questionnaire scores did not improve. Conclusions Expert clinician assessment and the Laryngeal Hypersensitivity Questionnaire predict the presence of laryngoscopy-confirmed VCD. Systematic assessment for both VCD and asthma facilitates deescalation or discontinuation of unnecessary asthma medications. Subjective symptom improvement following speech pathology was not paralleled by laryngeal questionnaire scores in this cohort.

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a debilitating symptom which occurs commonly in both primary sleep and mood disorders. The prevalence of mood disorders in patients with EDS, evaluated objectively with a mean sleep latency test (MSLT), has not been reported. We hypothesize that mood disorders are highly prevalent in patients being investigated for EDS. This study aims to report the prevalence of mood disorder in the MSLT population and investigate the association between mood disorder and objective and subjective scores of sleepiness. A retrospective multicenter study of adults with a MSLT and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS) identified over a 3-year period. The HADS is a validated questionnaire in detecting depression (HADS-D ≥ 8) and anxiety (HADS-A ≥ 11) in the sleep clinic population. Data collected included demographics, medical, and sleep study information. Mood disorder prevalence was compared to the general sleep clinic population. Correlation between measures of sleepiness and mood was performed. Two hundred twenty patients were included with mean age 41.1 ± 15.7 years, mean body mass index 28.6 kg/m2 of whom 30% had anxiety (HADS-A > 11) and 43% depression (HADS-D > 8). Mean results for the cohort are ESS 13.7, mean sleep latency 11.5 min, HADS-A 8.2, and HADS-D 7. There was no significant correlation between objective sleepiness, as measured by the mean sleep latency, and either HADS-A (−0.006, p = 0.93) or HADS-D score (0.002, p = 0.98). There was, however, a weak correlation between subjective sleepiness, as measured by the ESS, and the mean sleep latency (−0.25, p

Background The association between socioeconomic status (SES) and lung cancer is internationally established but in Australia this relationship remains ill defined. Aims To examine the association between SES, place of residence and lung cancer outcomes in a large Australian cohort. Methods 2369 consecutive lung cancer patients managed by St Vincent's Hospital lung multidisciplinary meeting between 2001–2014 were included. Postcode data stratified participants by Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas, a validated measure of SES, and by geographical location, an important socioeconomic factor in Australia. Results There was no difference between socioeconomic groups in age (68 years), sex (63% males) or presentation (75% symptomatic). Low socioeconomic patients had increased smoking rates and a trend towards less adenocarcinoma. More low SES patients were from rural locations, had a greater frequency of earlier stage disease and curative treatment with higher overall survival even after multivariate analysis. When stratified for socioeconomic status, overall 5-year survival was significantly better in the low SES group (33% vs 24%, n = 2275, p = 0.02), although stage-stratified survival was similar in all socioeconomic groups. Conclusions Low SES patients were more frequently from rural locations and unexpectedly had earlier stage disease and higher overall survival. The excellent outcomes in rural and lower SES patients is reassuring but suggests that there is a population of these patients with advanced lung cancer who are not referred for multidisciplinary care. Further studies are required to better define this group and determine the barriers to referral to improve overall lung cancer outcomes.

Background Pleural ultrasound guidance reduces complications of pleural procedures, and lung ultrasound can diagnose the cause of acute respiratory failure. Yet as recently as 5 years ago, many respiratory physicians lacked sufficient access, training and expertise to perform a chest ultrasound. Aims This study examines whether progress has been achieved in chest ultrasound amongst respiratory physicians in Australia and New Zealand. Methods We conducted a web-based chest ultrasound survey of adult respiratory physicians across Australia and New Zealand. We also surveyed advanced trainees. Results The response rate was 38% among respiratory physicians. Between 2011 and 2016, access to bedside ultrasound increased from 53 to 90%. The proportion arranging ultrasound guidance for pleural aspiration rose from 66 to 95%. The proportion demonstrably competent in pleural ultrasound increased from 4 to 21%. In 2016, 67% of physicians and 80% of advanced trainees reported available workplace supervision for ultrasound training. Use of lung ultrasound to diagnose acute pulmonary oedema and consolidation improved from 2011 but remained low at 25 and 20% respectively. Conclusion These results establish pleural ultrasound guidance for pleural procedures as the standard of care in our region. However, lung ultrasound remains underutilised. Ultrasound training can and should be incorporated into specialist respiratory training.

Guidelines endorse systematic assessment for severe asthma, with data indicating benefit across multiple outcome domains.We examined which patients respond to systematic assessment and whether oral corticosteroid burden can be decreased independent of monoclonal biologic use.Specialist-referred patients are assessed systematically for difficult asthma at our center. We undertook a responder analysis for improvements in the domains of symptom control, quality of life, exacerbations, and airflow obstruction, assessed 6 months after initial assessment. Multivariate analyses were performed for each domain to identify predictors of response. Changes in oral corticosteroid burden were also measured, stratified by monoclonal biologics commenced during assessment.Among 161 patients assessed systematically, 64% had a reduction in exacerbations, 54% achieved minimum clinically important differences for both symptom control and quality of life, and 40% increased their forced expiratory volume in 1 second by ≥100 mL. Altogether, 87% of patients with asthma improved in at least 1 domain. The most consistent predictor of response across domains was poorer baseline asthma status. There was a substantial reduction in mean chronic oral corticosteroid dose (11-5 mg, n = 46, P.001), even after excluding 7 patients commenced on monoclonal biologics (11-5.6 mg, n = 39, P.001).Almost 90% of patients undergoing systematic assessment for difficult asthma improve significantly in at least 1 key asthma outcome, with few reliable predictors of response. The halving of oral corticosteroid burden during systematic assessment is independent of, and comparable in magnitude with, that achieved by monoclonal biologics.

Background: Epidemic thunderstorm asthma (ETSA) severely affected Melbourne, Australia in November 2016. There is scant literature on the natural history of individuals affected by ETSA. Objective: A multicentre 12-month prospective observational study was conducted assessing symptomatology and behaviors of ETSA-affected individuals. Methods: We used a structured phone questionnaire to assess asthma symptom frequency, inhaled preventer use, asthma action plan ownership and healthcare utilization over 12 months since the ETSA. Analysis of results included subgroup analyses of the "current," "past," "probable," and "no asthma" subgroups defined according to their original 2016 survey responses. Results: Four hundred forty-two questionnaires were analyzed. Eighty percent of individuals reported ongoing asthma symptoms at follow-up, of which 28% were affected by asthma symptoms at least once a week. Risk of persistent asthma symptoms was significantly higher in those with prior asthma diagnosis, current asthma, and probable undiagnosed asthma (all p < 0.01). Of 442 respondents, 53% were prescribed inhaled preventers, of which 51% were adherent at least 5 days a week. Forty-two percent had a written asthma action plan and 16% had sought urgent medical attention for asthma in the preceding year. Conclusions: Following an episode of ETSA, patients experience a pivotal change in asthma trajectory with both loss of asthma control and persistence of de novo asthma. Suboptimal rates of inhaled preventer adherence and asthma action plan ownership may contribute to asthma exacerbation risk and susceptibility to future ETSA episodes. Longer-term follow-up is needed to determine the extent and severity of this apparent change.

Severe asthma is complex and heterogeneous; ad hoc outpatient assessment can be suboptimal. Systematic evaluation improves outcomes and is recommended by international guidelines. Electronic templates improve physician performance and clinical processes, and may be useful in severe asthma systematic evaluation. We developed the Severe Asthma Global Evaluation (SAGE) electronic platform to streamline this process, via Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). It incorporates: a questionnaire battery for patient completion before clinical consultation; asthma and comorbidity modules; a clinical summary page in an asthma management module; a nurse educator module; a structured panel discussion record; and an automatically generated report incorporating all key data. SAGE incorporates 282 clinician input fields, with a typical consultation requiring completion of 169. To streamline the process SAGE contains 34 autocalculations and 20 decision support tools. It incorporates all 95 core variables of the International Severe Asthma Registry, with which it is directly compatible. SAGE improves symptom control and exacerbations in patients with difficult asthma. In conclusion, we developed and validated an electronic platform that facilitates a comprehensive but streamlined systematic evaluation of severe asthma that is available for free download via REDCap. Its use enhances management of patients with severe asthma and facilitates audit and international research collaboration.

Background Lung cancer accounts for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The effect of recent changes in demographics and management on outcomes in Australia has not been clearly defined. Aims To compare three consecutive lung cancer cohorts to evaluate emergent differences in diagnosis, management and mortality. Methods For comparative analysis, 2119 lung cancer patients were divided into three successive cohorts. Current death data were sought from the Victorian Cancer Registry. Results Age at diagnosis, mode of presentation and pathology did not significantly differ between the groups. Significantly more females were diagnosed with lung cancer in the most recent cohort (P = 0.04). Amongst non-small-cell lung cancer patients, there were more adenocarcinomas and less large cell carcinomas in the latest cohort (P =

Lung cancer is a major worldwide health burden, with high disease-related morbidity and mortality. Unlike other major cancers, there has been little improvement in lung cancer outcomes over the past few decades, and survival remains disturbingly low. Multidisciplinary care is the cornerstone of lung cancer treatment in the developed world, despite a relative lack of evidence that this model of care improves outcomes. In this article, the available literature concerning the impact of multidisciplinary care on key measures of lung cancer outcomes is reviewed. This includes the limited observational data supporting improved survival with multidisciplinary care. The impact of multidisciplinary care on other benchmark measures of quality lung cancer treatment is also examined, including staging accuracy, access to diagnostic investigations, improvements in clinical decision making, better utilization of radiotherapy and palliative care services, and improved quality of life for patients. Health service research suggests that multidisciplinary care improves care coordination, leading to a better patient experience, and reduces variation in care, a problem in lung cancer management that has been identified worldwide. Furthermore, evidence suggests that the multidisciplinary model of care overcomes barriers to treatment, promotes standardized treatment through adherence to guidelines, and allows audit of clinical services and for these reasons is more likely to provide quality care for lung cancer patients. While there is strengthening evidence suggesting that the multidisciplinary model of care contributes to improvements in lung cancer outcomes, more quality studies are needed.

Introduction: An Advance Care Plan (ACP) has been shown to improve outcomes for patients and their families. Despite the incurable nature and poor long term prognosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), ACP uptake in this patient group is low. This study examined patients with COPD on Long Term Oxygen Therapy (LTOT) to determine rates of uptake of ACP and factors associated with presence of an ACP in this population. Methods: Data was retrospectively collected from consecutive patients with COPD assessed for continuation or commencement of LTOT attending Oxygen Clinic at a tertiary hospital in Melbourne from 1st July 2015 to 30th June 2016. Factors recognised to be associated with ACP were analysed using independent t-tests for continuous variables and Chi-squared tests for ordinal variables. Results: 79 patients were included; age (mean ± SD) 71±11years, FEV1%predicted 38±15%, PaO2 60±11mmHg, PaCO2 45±10mmHg, arterial pH 7.43±0.04, Body Mass Index 28±8kg/m2. 21.5% had an ACP. 40.5% were on continuous home oxygen, 36.7% intermittent oxygen, 11.4% nocturnal oxygen and 11.4% did not qualify/oxygen not advised for safety reasons/refused oxygen. 43.0% lived at home with community supports, 35.9% home with family, 12.7% family and supports, 3.8% home alone, 5% not known. 26.6% died within the study period. The only factor significantly associated with the presence of an ACP on univariate analysis was number of hospital admissions within the preceding 12 months (p Conclusion: Patients hospitalised within the last 12 months were more likely to have an ACP in place. ACP uptake was low despite high mortality in patients with COPD assessed for LTOT.

Scedosporium is an important pathogen in cystic fibrosis (CF) and post-transplant but rarely causes invasive infection. Treatment remains challenging, particularly due to inherent resistance to multiple antifungal agents. We present a young man with CF who developed invasive sternal and rib infection 10-months following lung transplant. The infection has been clinically and radiologically cured with extensive surgery and triazole therapy. This case highlights the importance of adjunctive surgery in addition to prolonged triazole treatment to manage invasive Scedosporium infections in immunosuppressed patients.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) presenting with pericardial disease complicated by cardiac tamponade is rare in the developed world, although it occurs more frequently in the context of immunosuppression. In this report, a 74‐year‐old man on methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis presented with fever, productive cough and cough‐induced syncope. During his admission, he developed clinical signs of cardiac tamponade confirmed on an echocardiogram, which showed a massive pericardial effusion. He was treated with an urgent pericardiocentesis and a pericardial window. Subsequently, TB polymerase chain reaction of pericardial fluid unexpectedly returned positive, and he was commenced on standard quadruple therapy for TB, as well as high‐dose prednisolone. Notably, the patient did not have a history suggestive of previous TB exposure, and no screening investigations had been performed prior to initiation of methotrexate. This case highlights the importance of TB screening prior to immunosuppressive therapy, even in populations considered low risk for latent disease.

After lung transplantation, pulmonary vein thrombosis is a rare, potentially life-threatening adverse event arising at the pulmonary venous anastomosis that typically occurs early and presents as graft failure and hemodynamic compromise with an associated mortality of up to 40%. The incidence, presentation, outcomes, and treatment of late pulmonary vein thrombosis remain poorly defined. Management options include anticoagulant agents for asymptomatic clots, and thrombolytic agents or surgical thrombectomy for hemodynamically significant clots. We present a rare case highlighting a delayed presentation of pulmonary vein thrombosis occurring longer than 2 weeks after lung transplantation and manifesting clinically as graft failure secondary to refractory pulmonary edema. The patient was treated successfully with surgical thrombectomy and remains well. We recommend a high index of suspicion of pulmonary vein thrombosis when graft failure after lung transplantation occurs and is not responsive to conventional therapy, and consideration of investigation with transesophageal echocardiography or computed tomography with venous phase contrast in such patients even more than 2 weeks after lung transplantation.

Background: The association between lower socioeconomic status (SES) and lung cancer has been established internationally but not extensively in Australia. Aims: To describe a large cohort of lung cancer patients, perform survival analysis and examine differences between patients of different SES. Methods: Data was collected on 2369 consecutive lung cancer patients managed by St Vincent9s Hospital Lung Multi-disciplinary Meeting (MDM) 2001-14. Postcode data was used to stratify people by SES and geographical remoteness. Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 68 years with 63% males and 37% females. Presentation was incidental in 25%, symptomatic in 75%, and screened in Conclusion: Overall and stage-stratified survival was above average and stage-stratified survivial did not differ between different socioeconomic groups supporting referral to lung cancer MDMs based in high throughput centres.