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Aim To compare outcomes between Intraosseous (IO) and peripheral intravenous (PIV) injection during in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) and examine its utility in individuals with obesity. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of adult, atraumatic IHCA at a single tertiary care center. Subjects were classified as either IO or PIV resuscitation. The primary outcome of interest was survival to hospital discharge. The secondary outcomes of interest were survival with favourable neurologic status, rates-of-ROSC (ROR) and time-to-ROSC (TTR). Subgroup analysis among patients with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 was performed. Results Complete data were available for 1852 subjects, 1039 of whom met eligibility criteria. A total of 832 were resuscitated via PIV route and 207 via IO route. Use of IO compared to PIV was associated with lower overall survival to hospital discharge (20.8% vs 28.4% p = 0.03), lower rates of survival with favourable neurologic status (18.4% vs 25.2% p = 0.04), lower ROR (72.2% vs 80.7%) and longer TTR (12:38 min vs 9:01 min). After multivariate adjustment there was no significant differences between IO and PIV in rates of survival to discharge (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.47–1.06, p = 0.09) or rates of survival with favourable neurologic status (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.49–1.13, p = 0.16). The ROR and TTR remained significantly worse in the IO group. Subgroup analysis of patients with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 identified no benefit or harm with use of IO compared to PIV. Conclusion Intraosseous medication delivery is associated with inferior rates-of-ROSC and longer times-to-ROSC compared to PIV, but no differences in overall survival to hospital discharge or survival with favourable neurologic status during IHCA.

Pulmonary sarcoidosis is characterized by the accumulation of immune cells that form granulomas affecting the lungs. Efzofitimod (ATYR1923), a novel immunomodulator, selectively binds neuropilin-2, which is upregulated on immune cells in response to lung inflammation.What is the tolerability, safety, and effect on outcomes from efzofitimod in pulmonary sarcoidosis?A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating multiple ascending doses of efzofitimod administered intravenously every four weeks for 24 weeks. Randomized patients (2:1) underwent a steroid taper to 5 mg/day by Week 8 or5 mg/day after Week 16. The primary endpoint was the incidence of adverse events; secondary endpoints included steroid reduction, change in lung function, and patient-reported outcomes on health-related quality of life scales.Thirty-seven patients received at least one dose of study medication. Efzofitimod was well tolerated at all doses, with no new or unexpected adverse events and no dose-dependent adverse event incidence. Average daily steroid doses through end of study were 6.8, 6.5 and 5.6 mg for the 1, 3 and 5 mg/kg groups compared to 7.2 mg for placebo, resulting in a baseline-adjusted relative steroid reduction of 5%, 9% and 22%, respectively. Clinically meaningful improvements were achieved across several patient reported outcomes, several of which reached statistical significance in the 5 mg/kg dose arm. A dose-dependent but non-significant trend toward improved lung function was also observed for 3 and 5 mg/kg.Efzofitimod was safe and well tolerated and associated with dose-dependent improvements of several clinically-relevant endpoints compared to placebo. The results of this study support further evaluation of efzofitimod in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Background The prevalence of burnout and depressive symptoms is high among physician trainees. Research Question What is the burden of burnout and depressive symptoms among fellows training in pulmonary and critical care medicine (PCCM) and what are associated individual fellow, program, and institutional characteristics? Study Design and Methods We conducted a cross-sectional electronic survey of fellows enrolled in pulmonary, PCCM, and critical care medicine training programs in the United States to assess burnout and depressive symptoms. Burnout symptoms were measured using the Maslach Burnout Index two-item measure. The two-item Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Procedure was used to screen for depressive symptoms. For each of the two outcomes (burnout and depressive symptoms), we constructed three multivariate logistic regression models to assess individual fellow characteristics, program structure, and institutional polices associated with either burnout or depressive symptoms. Results Five hundred two of the 976 fellows who received the survey completed it—including both outcome measures—giving a response rate of 51%. Fifty percent of fellows showed positive results for either burnout or depressive symptoms, with 41% showing positive results for depressive symptoms, 32% showing positive results for burnout, and 23% showing positive results for both. Reporting a coverage system in the case of personal illness or emergency (adjusted OR [aOR], 0.44; 95% CI, 0.26-0.73) and access to mental health services (aOR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.04-0.47) were associated with lower odds of burnout. Financial concern was associated with higher odds of depressive symptoms (aOR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.05-1.22). Working more than 70 hours in an average clinical week and the burdens of electronic health record (EHR) documentation were associated with a higher odds of both burnout and depressive symptoms. Interpretation Given the high prevalence of burnout and depressive symptoms among fellows training in PCCM, an urgent need exists to identify solutions that address this public health crisis. Strategies such as providing an easily accessible coverage system, access to mental health resources, reducing EHR burden, addressing work hours, and addressing financial concerns among trainees may help to reduce burnout or depressive symptoms and should be studied further by the graduate medical education community.

Introduction: Sarcoidosis associated pulmonary hypertension (SAPH) is a leading contributor to sarcoidosis-related mortality. The 6-min walk test (6MWT) is widely used in assessment of cardiorespiratory conditions. A reduced 6-min walk distance (6MWD) has been associated with increased mortality in SAPH. We examined patients from the Registry of Sarcoidosis Associated Pulmonary Hypertension (ReSAPH) who had performed 6MWT at enrollment to identify variables that affect 6MWD, and the prognostic value of 6MWT variables regarding death or lung transplantation. Material and methods: ReSAPH patients with available 6MWT were included. Variables analyzed using pre-defined cutoffs included 6MWD, initial and end of test Borg dyspnea score, oxygen saturation, and heart rate at beginning, end, and after 1-min recovery, absolute change in oxygen saturation, modified distance-saturation product (mDSP), and the heart rate recovery at 1-min (HRR). Findings: 174 patients met inclusion criteria; 48 patients died and 8 underwent lung transplantation. Patients with 6MWD300 m (p = 0.012). No associations with outcome were observed with mDSP cutoff 200 m%, desaturation≥5% and oxygen saturation

BACKGROUND: Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use among patients with COPD increases the risk of pneumonia and other complications. Current recommendations limit ICS use to patients with frequent or severe COPD exacerbations. However, use of ICS among patients with COPD is common and may be occurring both among those with mild disease (overuse) and those misdiagnosed with COPD (misuse). OBJECTIVE: To identify patients without identifiable indication for ICS and assess patient and provider characteristics associated with potentially inappropriate to targeted in de-implementation efforts DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional study of patients with COPD in the Veterans Affairs (VA) system with recent spirometry. PARTICIPANTS: After setting an index date, we identified individuals with a clinical diagnosis of COPD who had spirometry completed in the prior 5 years. We excluded individuals with an appropriate indication for ICS based on the 2017 GOLD statement, including asthma and a recent history of frequent or severe exacerbations. MAIN MEASURES: ICS use without identifiable indication KEY RESULTS: We identified 26,536 patients with COPD without an identifiable indication for ICS. Nearly ¼ of patients (n = 6330) filled ≥2 prescriptions for ICS in the year prior to the index date. We found that older age (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] 1.06 per decade, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.08), white race (APR 1.11, 95% CI 1.05–1.19), and more primary care visits (APR 1.05 per visit, 95% CI 1.03–1.07) were associated with increased likelihood of potentially inappropriate use. Primary care clinic complexity and provider training were not associated with ICS use. Among patients misdiagnosed with COPD, we found that 14% used ICS. CONCLUSIONS: Potentially inappropriate ICS use is common among patients with and without airflow obstruction who are diagnosed with COPD. We identified patient comorbidities and patterns of healthcare utilization that increase the likelihood of ICS use that could be targeted for system-level de-implementation interventions.

IntroductionSarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension (SAPH) is associated with reduced survival in single-centre studies. The international Registry for SAPH (ReSAPH) with long-term follow-up was established to enrich our knowledge of this complication of sarcoidosis. This analysis aims to elucidate factors associated with reduced transplant-free survival in SAPH patients.MethodsReSAPH contains prospectively collected outcomes of SAPH patients since the time of registry enrolment. Information analysed includes right heart catheterisation data, pulmonary function testing, chest radiography, Scadding stage and 6-min walk distance (6MWD), among others. Cox regression models were used to identify independent predictors of transplant-free survival.ResultsData from 215 patients followed for a mean±sd 2.5±1.9 years were available for analysis. In the 159 precapillary patients, the Kaplan–Meier-adjusted 1-, 3- and 5-year transplant-free survival was 89.2%, 71.7% and 62.0%, respectively. Kaplan–Meier-adjusted 1-, 3- and 5-year transplant-free survival in the incident group was 83.5%, 70.3% and 58.3%, respectively, and in the prevalent group was 94.7%, 72.2% and 66.3%, respectively. Patients with reduced diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio were identified as independent risk factors for reduced transplant-free survival in the precapillary cohort.ConclusionReduced DLCO (1/FVC ratio was identified as an independent risk factor for worsened outcomes.

Background Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in sarcoidosis. We established a multi-national registry of sarcoidosis associated PH (SAPH) patients. Methods Sarcoidosis patients with PH confirmed by right heart catheterization (RHC) were studied. Patients with pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) of 15 mmHg or less and a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) ≥ 25 Hg were subsequently analyzed. Data collected included hemodynamics, forced vital capacity (FVC), diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO), chest x-ray, and 6-min walk distance (6MWD). Results A total of 176 patients were analyzed. This included 84 (48%) cases identified within a year of entry into the registry and 94 (53%) with moderate to severe PH. There was a significant correlation between DLCO percent predicted (% pred) andmPAP (Rho = −0.228, p = 0.0068) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) (Rho = −0.362, p Conclusions The clinical features of SAPH were similar across multiple centers in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. The severity of SAPH was related to reduced DLCO. There were treatment differences between the US and non-US centers.

Introduction Acthar was reported as effective for the treatment of pulmonary sarcoidosis in the 1950s. Use of drug waned due to cost and toxicity compared to prednisone. Recent interest has reemerged as an alternative to high dose oral glucocorticoids. Methods Chart review was performed on all advanced sarcoidosis patients seen at two centers who received at least one dose of Acthar gel therapy with at least six months of posttreatment follow up. In all cases prior sarcoidosis therapy and indications for use along with clinical outcome were noted. All patients initially received 80 IU intramuscular or subcutaneous administration twice a week. Results A total of 47 patients were treated with Acthar gel therapy during the study period, and 18 (37%) discontinued drug within six months due to cost (four patients), death (two patients), or drug toxicity (eleven patients), or noncompliance (1 patient). Of the remaining 29 patients, eleven experienced objective improvement in one or more affected organs. All but two patients noted disease improvement or oral glucocorticoid reduction. Twenty-one patients were treated for more than six months (Median 274 days). Nineteen patients were on prednisone at time of starting Acthar gel: seventeen had their prednisone dosage reduced by more than fifty percent and one patient discontinued cyclophosphamide therapy. Conclusion In this group of advanced sarcoidosis patients, Acthar gel treatment for at least three months was associated with objective improvement in a third of patients. A third of patients were unable to take at least a three months of treatment.

Pulmonary sarcoidosis presents substantial management challenges, with limited evidence on effective therapies and phenotypes. In the absence of definitive evidence, expert consensus can supply clinically useful guidance in medicine. An international panel of 26 experts participated in a Delphi process to identify consensus on pharmacological management in sarcoidosis with the development of preliminary recommendations.The modified Delphi process used three rounds. The first round focused on qualitative data collection with open-ended questions to ensure comprehensive inclusion of expert concepts. Rounds 2 and 3 applied quantitative assessments using an 11-point Likert scale to identify consensus.Key consensus points included glucocorticoids as initial therapy for most patients, with non-biologics (immunomodulators), usually methotrexate, considered in severe or extrapulmonary disease requiring prolonged treatment, or as a steroid-sparing intervention in cases with high risk of steroid toxicity. Biologic therapies might be considered as additive therapy if non-biologics are insufficiently effective or are not tolerated with initial biologic therapy, usually with a tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitor, typically infliximab.The Delphi methodology provided a platform to gain potentially valuable insight and interim guidance while awaiting evidenced-based contributions.

Pulmonary venoocclusive disease (PVOD) is an uncommon cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, unlike PAH, treatment options for PVOD are usually quite limited. The impact of the lung allocation score on access to transplantation for patients with PVOD and the clinical course of these patients have not been well-described.To examine the association between the diagnosis of PVOD and lung transplantation for patients on the transplant waiting list.Patients with a diagnosis of PVOD and PAH registered on the United Network for Organ Sharing wait list for transplantation from May 4, 2005 to May 3, 2013 were included. Lung transplantation was the primary outcome measure. Multivariable analyses were performed to determine the odds of dying or receiving a lung transplant after listing. Survival was compared using Kaplan-Meier and competing risks methods.Of 12,251 patients listed for lung transplantation, 49 with PVOD and 647 with PAH were identified. There were no significant differences in the lung allocation score between patients with PVOD and PAH at listing, transplant, or wait list removal for death/too sick for transplant. By 6 months, 22.6% of patients with PVOD had been removed from the wait list due to death, compared with 11.0% of patients with PAH (Chi-square P = 0.03). Patients with PVOD who died or were considered too sick for transplant were removed from the waiting list sooner after listing (22 vs. 105 d, P = 0.08). There was no difference in the proportion of patients with PVOD and PAH transplanted (50.0 vs. 47.6%, P = 0.60).In the lung allocation score era, patients with PVOD may be at higher risk for death while on the transplant waiting list. After wait list registration, close monitoring for disease progression is advised.

To explore and describe the subjective experiences and long-term impact of severe sepsis on survivors of severe sepsis and their informal caregivers (e.g., spouse or family member) through qualitative research methods.A qualitative exploratory study using semi-structured interviews with survivors of severe sepsis and their informal caregivers in the United Kingdom and United States. Participants also completed a demographic background form and sites provided medical history details. Transcripts were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.Patients were recruited from a large National Health Service hospital in the United Kingdom and a level 1 trauma center hospital in the United States. Caregivers were recruited through eligible patients. Interviews were conducted either face to face in participant's homes or another convenient location or over the telephone.Patients who were 18 years old or older and had experienced an episode of severe sepsis in the previous 12 months were recruited by clinical staff in each hospital. Caregivers were family members or friends who had provided informal care for the patient after their episode of severe sepsis.None.Thirty-nine interviews were conducted with 22 patients and 17 informal caregivers (of these 28 were conducted face-to-face and 11 by telephone). Five main themes were identified in the qualitative analysis: awareness and knowledge of severe sepsis; experience of hospitalization, ongoing impact of severe sepsis; impact on caregivers; and support after severe sepsis. Experiences varied depending on the patients' health prior to the severe sepsis, with the worst affected reporting lasting impacts on multiple aspects of their life.The study extends what was understood about severe sepsis from the patients' and caregivers' perspectives from the previous limited literature. Caregivers as well as patients reported enduring impact. The study also identified problems of lack of awareness of diagnosis and understanding of severe sepsis by patients and caregivers and difficulties accessing appropriate healthcare providers and ancillary services after discharge from hospital.

Background In 2011, the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education implemented updated guidelines for medical resident duty hours, further limiting continuous work hours for first-year residents. We sought to investigate the impact of these restrictions on graduate medical education among internal medicine residents. Methods We conducted eight focus groups with internal medicine residents at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 06/2012-07/2012. Discussion questions included, “How do you feel the 2011 ACGME work hour restrictions have impacted your graduate medical education?” Transcripts of the focus groups were reviewed and themes identified using a deductive/inductive approach. Participants completed a survey to collect demographic information and future practice plans. Results Thirty-four residents participated in our focus groups. Five themes emerged: decreased teaching, decreased experiential learning, shift-work mentality, tension between residency classes, and benefits and opportunities. Residents reported that since implementation of the guidelines, teaching was often deferred to complete patient-care tasks. Residents voiced concern that PGY-1 s were not receiving adequate clinical experience and that procedural and clinical reasoning skills are being negatively impacted. PGY-1 s reported being well-rested and having increased time for independent study. Conclusions Residents noted a decline in teaching and are concerned with the decrease in “hands-on” clinical education that is inevitably impacted by fewer hours in the hospital, though some benefits were also reported. Future studies are needed to further elucidate the impact of decreased resident work hours on graduate medical education.

Sarcoidosis is characterised by non-caseating granulomas that secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-12, IL-23, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Ustekinumab and golimumab are monoclonal antibodies that specifically inhibit IL-12/IL-23 and TNF-α, respectively.Patients with chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis (lung group) and/or skin sarcoidosis (skin group) received either 180 mg ustekinumab at week 0 followed by 90 mg every 8 weeks, 200 mg golimumab at week 0 followed by 100 mg every 4 weeks, or placebo. Patients underwent corticosteroid tapering between weeks 16 and 28. The primary end-point was week 16 change in percentage predicted forced vital capacity (ΔFVC % pred) in the lung group. Major secondary end-points were: week 28 for ΔFVC % pred, 6-min walking distance, St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (lung group), and Skin Physician Global Assessment response (skin group).At week 16, no significant differences were observed in ΔFVC % pred with ustekinumab (-0.15, p = 0.13) or golimumab (1.15, p = 0.54) compared with placebo (2.02). At week 28, there were no significant improvements in the major secondary end-points, although a nonsignificant numerically greater Skin Physician Global Assessment response was observed following golimumab treatment (53%) when compared with the placebo (30%). Serious adverse events were similar in all treatment groups.Although treatment was well tolerated, neither ustekinumab nor golimumab demonstrated efficacy in pulmonary sarcoidosis. However, trends towards improvement were observed with golimumab in some dermatological end-points.

s S143 artery pressure (mPAP) ≥ 25 mmHg, pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) 3 Wood Units. Data reported as mean ± standard deviation. Results: Of 5420 patients with Sjogren’s Syndrome evaluated between 1995 and 2014, 100 had evidence of right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) > 40 mmHg on transthoracic echocardiography. Of those 100 patients, 40 underwent right heart catheterization (RHC); and 36 (90%) had mPAP ≥ 25 mmHg. Of those 36 all-female patients, the average age was 65 ± 9 years. 20 (56%) had primary SS, and 16 (44%) had secondary SS. An underlying lung disorder was present in 13 (36%), with five carrying a diagnosis of interstitial lung disease. A left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) < 45% was present in 14 (39%). Transthoracic echocardiography for the 36 patients revealed a right atrial pressure (RAP) of 13 ± 4 mmHg and a mean RVSP of 72 ± 21 mmHg. Moderate-severe right atrial enlargement was present in 21 (58%) with moderate-severe right ventricular enlargement present in 21 (58%) also. 19 (53%) had ≤ mild right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and 17 (47%) had moderate-severe RV dysfunction. RHC in the 36 patients demonstrated a mPAP of 45 ± 10 mmHg, RAP of 11 ± 7 mmHg, PAWP of 14 ± 8 mmHg, and PVR of 7.3 ± 4.7 Wood Units. 16 (44%) had PAH and 15 (42%) were treated with PAH-specific medications. Median survival of patients with PAH was 39 months. Adverse prognostic indicators for those 36 patients with coexisting SS and PH included moderate-severe right atrial enlargement (p= 0.03), moderate-severe RV dysfunction (p= 0.035), and pre-capillary pulmonary arterial hypertension (p= 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with primary or secondary Sjogren’s Syndrome, a minority develop pulmonary hypertension. There is no significant difference in outcome between primary or secondary SS in the setting of concomitant PH. Right atrial enlargement, RV dysfunction, and pre-capillary pulmonary arterial hypertension are associated with worse survival.

Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a serious medical problem, causing thousands of deaths nationally each year. Clinical presentations range from acute suffocation and death to chronic and subtle respiratory symptoms. Although FBA is more common in children, adult patients are also at risk. We present a classic case of FBA in an adult male with a history of alcohol abuse and chronic cough.