News

ACCP and ASCO Release Joint Systematic Review and Clinical Practice Guideline on the Role of CT Screening for Lung Cancer

ACCP — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:45:55 +0000

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The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) have released a joint systematic review and clinical practice guideline on the role of CT screening for lung cancer. The guideline recommendations and systematic review are published online in The Journal of the American Medical Association.

(NORTHBROOK, IL, MAY 21, 2012)—The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) have released a joint systematic review and clinical practice guideline on the role of CT screening for lung cancer. The guideline recommendations and systematic review are published online in The Journal of the American Medical Association.

New DVT Guidelines: No Evidence to Support "Economy Class Syndrome"

ACCP — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000

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New evidence-based guidelines from the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) address the many risk factors for developing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or blood clot, as the result of long-distance travel. These risk factors include the use of oral contraceptives, sitting in a window seat, advanced age, and pregnancy. The Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines, published in the February issue of the journal CHEST, also suggest there is no definitive evidence to support that traveling in economy class can lead to the development of a DVT, therefore, dispelling the myth of the so-called “economy class syndrome.”

(NORTHBROOK, IL, FEBRUARY 7, 2012) — New evidence-based guidelines from the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) address the many risk factors for developing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or blood clot, as the result of long-distance travel. These risk factors include the use of oral contraceptives, sitting in a window seat, advanced age, and pregnancy.

New Guidelines Suggest DVT Prophylaxis not Appropriate for All Patients

ACCP — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0000

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New evidence-based guidelines from the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) recommend considering individual patients’ risk of thrombosis when deciding for or against the use of preventive therapies for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Specifically, the Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines, published in the February issue of the journal CHEST, focus on risk stratification of patients, suggesting clinicians should consider a patient’s risk for DVT/VTE and risk for bleeding before administering or prescribing a prevention therapy.

(NORTHBROOK, IL, FEBRUARY 7, 2012) — New evidence-based guidelines from the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) recommend considering individual patients’ risk of thrombosis when deciding for or against the use of preventive therapies for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and venous thromboembolism (VTE).

American College of Chest Physicians Achieves Accreditation With Commendation

ACCP — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:11:23 +0000

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The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) has received Accreditation With Commendation from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). This achievement grants the ACCP accreditation through November 2017 and places the organization in the highest tier of all continuing medical education (CME) providers, including some of the nation’s most prestigious medical schools and professional medical societies.

(NORTHBROOK, IL, JANUARY 18, 2012) — The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) has received Accreditation With Commendation from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). This achievement grants the ACCP accreditation through November 2017 and places the organization in the highest tier of all continuing medical education (CME) providers, including some of the nation’s most prestigious medical schools and professional medical societies.

Physician Organizations Issue New Clinical Recommendations for Diagnosing and Treating COPD

ACCP — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:29:36 +0000

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COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the fourth leading cause of death worldwide.

PHILADELPHIA, August 2, 2011 -- The American College of Physicians (ACP), American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), American Thoracic Society (ATS), and European Respiratory Society (ERS) today released a joint clinical practice guideline on diagnosing and treating stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Annals of Internal Medicine, ACP's flagship journal. ACP convened the four organizations, which represent more than 170,000 physicians from around the world, to develop the joint guideline.

Combination Antithrombotic Therapy May Increase Bleeding Risk

ACCP — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 05:00:00 +0000

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A new study suggests that the use of combination antithrombotic therapy may increase the risk of clinically relevant bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

A new study suggests that the use of combination antithrombotic therapy may increase the risk of clinically relevant bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Researchers from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France compared outcomes in 3,728 patients with AF receiving anticoagulation alone and 848 patients with AF receiving combination antithrombotic therapy (anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy).

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Identifying Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Early Remains Problematic

ACCP — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 05:00:00 +0000

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One in five patients diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in the United States report symptoms for more than 2 years before diagnosis.

One in five patients diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in the United States report symptoms for more than 2 years before diagnosis. PAH is a progressive and fatal disorder, and the disease is often advanced when recognized, especially in younger patients.

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Indacaterol May Reduce Exacerbations in Patients With Moderate to Severe COPD

ACCP — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 05:00:00 +0000

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New research shows that indacaterol is effective and well tolerated for patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

New research shows that indacaterol is effective and well tolerated for patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Researchers at the University Health Network, Asthma and Airway Centre, in Toronto, ON, Canada; the University of Nebraska Medical Center; and Novartis evaluated the safety and tolerability of indacaterol, a once‐daily, inhaled β₂‐agonist, compared with a placebo in 415 patients with moderate to severe COPD.

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Childhood Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Improved By Adenotonsillectomy

ACCP — Tue, 03 May 2011 05:00:00 +0000

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A new study analyzed changes in heart rates in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) after having adenotonsillectomy (AT) and found evidence of improvement in OSAS.

A new study analyzed changes in heart rates in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) after having adenotonsillectomy (AT) and found evidence of improvement in OSAS. Researchers from Montefiore Children’s Hospital in New York studied 18 children with OSAS, a syndrome characterized by recurrent airway obstruction during sleep. OSAS disrupts normal breathing and sleep patterns and is linked to neurocognitive deficits and cardiovascular morbidities, with increased heart rate as a causative link.

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Race and Ethnicity Can Influence End-Of-Life Care in the ICU

ACCP — Tue, 03 May 2011 05:00:00 +0000

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A recent study shows a disparity in treatment choices for end-of-life care made by families for patients in the ICU based on race, ethnicity, and levels of understanding.

A recent study shows a disparity in treatment choices for end-of-life care made by families for patients in the ICU based on race, ethnicity, and levels of understanding. Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco and the University of Washington compared race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status of 3,138 patients who died in the ICU or within 30 hours of transfer from the ICU.

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Ultrasonography Could Replace Chest X-Ray for Determining Source of Acute Shortness of Breath

ACCP — Tue, 03 May 2011 05:00:00 +0000

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A new study suggests that ultrasonography could replace standard chest x-ray as the first choice of technique for imaging when rapid, accurate identification of the source of acute dyspnea is needed. Italian researchers studied 404 patients admitted to the emergency department and found strong agreement between the results of chest ultrasonography and x-ray for diagnosing the underlying pulmonary disease.

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The ACCP and The CHEST Foundation respond to the recent disasters in Japan and the Pacific Rim.

ACCP — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:03:55 +0000

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The ACCP and The CHEST Foundation are saddened and concerned by the news of the recent earthquake and subsequent tsunamis that are affecting Japan and the Pacific Rim.

The ACCP and The CHEST Foundation are saddened and concerned by the news of the recent earthquake and subsequent tsunamis that have affected Japan and the Pacific Rim. Please keep our colleagues in these areas, and their families, in your thoughts as they begin to recover from this disaster. We encourage all ACCP members to reach out to international relief organizations, such as the Red Cross, to make a donation or offer support through organized volunteer efforts.

FDA Alert: FDA Pulls 500 Cough, Cold, and Allergy Drugs From the Market

ACCP — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 21:53:08 +0000

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The US Food and Drug Administration today took action against companies that manufacture, distribute, or market unapproved prescription oral cough, cold, and allergy products.

The US Food and Drug Administration today took action against companies that manufacture, distribute, or market unapproved prescription oral cough, cold, and allergy products. The approximately 500 affected products cannot be legally marketed in the United States. The FDA states that:

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Children With High-Risk Asthma May Benefit From Environmental Tobacco Smoke Intervention

ACCP — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 06:00:00 +0000

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Children who have a high risk of asthma exacerbations may benefit from caregiver education about environmental tobacco smoke, shows a new study.

Children who have a high risk of asthma exacerbations may benefit from caregiver education about environmental tobacco smoke, shows a new study. Researchers from the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute in California followed 352 children with asthma who had significant exposure to smoke as they received the Lowering Environmental Tobacco Smoke (LET’S) intervention (N=178) or usual care (N=174).

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Smoking Cessation Higher With Varenicline Compared With Placebo In Patients With COPD

ACCP — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 06:00:00 +0000

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New research shows that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have higher smoking cessation rates with varenicline compared with placebo.

New research shows that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have higher smoking cessation rates with varenicline compared with placebo. In a multinational study involving 27 centers, researchers from UCLA followed 504 patients with mild to moderate COPD who were randomized to receive either varenicline (N=250) or placebo (N=254). At weeks 9-12, abstinence rates for patients treated with varenicline were higher than for the placebo group (42.3 percent vs 8.8 percent), and they remained higher through 52 weeks (18.6 percent vs 5.6 percent).

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Cysteine A Potential Biomarker For Sleep Apnea

ACCP — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 06:00:00 +0000

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A new study indicates that the amino acid cysteine may be a biomarker for the development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in obese and nonobese patients.

A new study indicates that the amino acid cysteine may be a biomarker for the development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in obese and nonobese patients. Brazilian researchers compared plasma levels of cysteine in 75 patients with OSA with 75 control subjects. Results showed that cysteine plasma levels were higher in patients with OSA compared with the control subjects. A subgroup of lean patients (BMI < 25) with OSA also had higher cysteine levels than the control subjects.

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Influenza A(H1N1) Mortality Not Increased By Obesity

ACCP — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 06:00:00 +0000

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New research suggests that obesity may not influence mortality rates among patients with influenza A(H1N1); however obese patients with the virus may have longer ICU and hospital stays.

New research suggests that obesity may not influence mortality rates among patients with influenza A(H1N1); however obese patients with the virus may have longer ICU and hospital stays. Researchers from Spain compared mortality rates and hospital/ICU resource consumption between 150 obese patients with influenza A(H1N1) and 266 patients with influenza A(H1N1) who were not obese. Results showed that obese patients were supported by mechanical ventilation longer and had longer ICU and hospital lengths of stay than patients who were not obese.

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Vitamin D Deficiency Associated With Reduced Lung Function

ACCP — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 06:00:00 +0000

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New research shows that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), with the largest prevalence seen in patients with concurrent connective tissue disease (CTD). Researchers from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine evaluated vitamin D levels in 67 patients with CTD-ILD and 51 patients with other forms of ILD. Results showed the overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was 38 percent and 59 percent, respectively.

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Data Shows Omalizumab Safe and Effective for Moderate to Severe Asthma

ACCP — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 06:00:00 +0000

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New research suggests that subcutaneous omalizumab is safe and effective an add-on treatment to corticosteroids for moderate to severe asthma in children and adults.

New research suggests that subcutaneous omalizumab is safe and effective an add-on treatment to corticosteroids for moderate to severe asthma in children and adults. Researchers from Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile performed a meta-analysis on eight trials where 1,883 patients received omalizumab and 1,546 received a placebo. At the end of the steroid reduction phase, patients taking omalizumab were more likely to have corticosteroids withdrawn completely compared with those taking placebo.

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Sarcoidosis Incidence Prevalent Among Black Women

ACCP — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:16:04 +0000

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A new study using the largest sample to date reports that black women in the US have the highest incidence of sarcoidosis, a chronic lung disease characterized by dyspnea, fatigue, and cough.

A new study using the largest sample to date reports that black women in the US have the highest incidence of sarcoidosis, a chronic lung disease characterized by dyspnea, fatigue, and cough. Researchers from Boston University analyzed the incidence, prevalence, and clinical characteristics of sarcoidosis among 59,000 black women across the United States who were part of the Black Women’s Health Study. At baseline, in 1995, there were 685 cases of sarcoidosis.

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Simulation Training Linked to Decreased Catheter Infection

ACCP — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:13:26 +0000

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New research shows that simulation-based training in sterile techniques during central vein catheterization (CVC) is associated with decreased rate of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI).

New research shows that simulation-based training in sterile techniques during central vein catheterization (CVC) is associated with decreased rate of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). Over 1 year, researchers from St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York randomly assigned 47 second and third-year internal medicine residents to simulation-based training plus video training or video training alone, with a follow-up period to examine CRBSI 6 months later.

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Airflow Obstruction Potential Risk Factor For Lung Cancer

ACCP — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 06:00:00 +0000

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Airflow obstruction may be an independent risk factor for lung cancer, shows a new study. Researchers from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, identified 64 patients with lung cancer and matched each patient with six control subjects for age, gender, and smoking history. Patients underwent CT scans and spirometry testing. Results showed that decreased FEV₁ and FEV₁/FVC, measurements that assess lung function, were significantly associated with a diagnosis of lung cancer (odds ratio = 1.15 and 1.29, respectively).

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Enhanced Family Communication in ICU May Have Little Impact on Patient Outcomes

ACCP — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 06:00:00 +0000

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New research shows that formal meetings and other enhanced communication with families of patients in the ICU may have little impact on patient outcomes.

New research shows that formal meetings and other enhanced communication with families of patients in the ICU may have little impact on patient outcomes. Researchers from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, compared patient outcomes in 135 patients who received usual care and communication with 346 patients who received the intensive communication system, which included a family meeting within 5 days of ICU admission and weekly thereafter.

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Entering School With Asthma May Predict Low Achievement

ACCP — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 06:00:00 +0000

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Children who enter school with asthma may be at an academic disadvantage compared with children who do not have asthma, shows a new study.

Children who enter school with asthma may be at an academic disadvantage compared with children who do not have asthma, shows a new study. Researchers from New Zealand followed 55 children who entered school with asthma to determine whether the disease was associated with low achievement. After 1 year, children who entered school with asthma were more likely to be 6 or more months behind other participants in reading words and books but not in math, independent of other known variables, including high absenteeism, gender, etc.

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Senate Agrees To Delay Medicare Physician Cuts for 31 Days: Discussions Continue on SGR Relief for all of 2011

ACCP — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:52:13 +0000

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On November 18, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid reached agreement with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on a unanimous consent request for a 31-day reprieve from the 23% Medicare physician payment cut that was scheduled to take effect on December 1.