November 2016 Hot in CHEST
November 23, 2016
By: Dr. Chris Carroll
Each month, we ask Drs. Chris Carroll and Deep Ramachandran, Social Media Co-Editors of CHEST, to weigh in on the hot topics in CHEST. It's November, so let's hear from Dr. Carroll as he outlines his highlights. After reviewing the issue, be sure to share your hot list our Facebook wall, tweet with the hashtag #NovCHEST, or discuss in the CHEST LinkedIn group.
The characterization of focal and nonfocal lung imaging patterns in patients with ARDS
The association with plasma biomarkers and their distinct functional/pathobiological mechanisms are unknown during ARDS CTs and their lung imaging patterns. In this study, the characterization of focal and nonfocal patterns of lung CT-based imaging was performed utilizing plasma sRAGE. One hundred and nineteen consecutive patients with ARDS were administered plasma biomarkers and were measured to assess lung morphology. Plasma sRAGE is associated with a nonfocal ARDS as nonfocal patterns were associated with higher 28- and 90-day mortality than focal patterns.
Reducing ventilator-induced lung injury trials
Biotrauma describes the release of mediators by injurious ventilatory strategies. This article details the misconceptions of “ventilator-induced lung injury” (VILI) and how biotrauma can lead to lung and distal organ injury. Efforts are being made to minimalize VILI by utilizing different approaches such as higher positive end-expiratory pressure and other “adjunctive” strategies that decrease indices of activation of the inflammatory response. The hope is to improve outcomes of patients with respiratory failure.
What’s your neighborhood walk score?
Living in neighborhoods with a low walking score is associated with higher severity of sleep apnea. In this study, researchers investigated whether or not neighborhoods with a good walking environment were related to OSA. While the study was partially mediated by BMI, low walking score associations were much stronger in obese and male individuals. You can find out about your neighborhood’s walk score by going to the website walkscore.com. Tell us about your walk score!