The American Thoracic Society has published a new clinical practice guideline on community-acquired pneumonia, addressing the use of nucleic acid-based testing for non-influenza viral pathogens. The guidelines recommend testing only for patients with severe CAP or immunocompromised patients.
The American Thoracic Society releases a report highlighting the need for research on wildfire smoke's effects on respiratory and cardiovascular health, as well as communication strategies to protect public health. The report emphasizes the importance of coordinated federal response and dedicated funding to mitigate health risks.
A new commentary examines links between air pollution and COVID-19 outcomes, finding associations between long-term fine particle exposure and increased mortality. Higher air pollution exposure also impairs the immune system, leading to increased susceptibility to viruses and more severe infections.
A new study found that physicians hired by employers are less likely to diagnose black lung disease than those not hired by employers. The more a physician is hired by an employer, the less likely they are to identify black lung disease on chest X-rays.
A new study reveals how socioeconomic factors contribute to the increased odds of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 among Black and Hispanic Americans. The researchers found that median income was the largest proportion of COVID-19 positive tests, with population density and household size also playing a role.
A new paper discusses how smoking may affect risk for COVID-19 and proposes areas of research needed to better understand the link. Studies have shown that current smokers with COVID-19 have twice the risk of dying in the hospital as nonsmokers, highlighting the need for rigorous study design to clarify this relationship.
Critical care clinicians are at risk of burnout, which threatens clinical care quality and safety. Health professional societies can play a key role in addressing burnout by promoting practices that value clinician well-being.
A virtual post-sepsis recovery program developed by Atrium Health has shown promise in helping sepsis survivors and those who have recovered from COVID-19. The program, known as STAR, uses low-tech telehealth methods to provide best-practice care for high-risk patients.
A new study published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society found that COVID-19 patients with varying degrees of severity do not experience significant long-term respiratory problems. However, fatigue and ill health persist in many patients, suggesting ongoing need for follow-up care.
A new study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society found a significant decrease in pediatric asthma-related emergency department visits during the spring 2020 COVID-19 lockdown. The rate of ED visits dropped by 80% compared to previous years, indicating improved symptom control and reduced exacerbations.
The new ATS clinical practice guideline provides comprehensive guidance on long-term and ambulatory oxygen therapy for adults with COPD and ILD. The guideline recommends LTOT for severe chronic resting room air hypoxemia in both COPD and ILD patients, and suggests ambulatory oxygen for moderate exertional room air hypoxemia in COPD pat...
Researchers found that patients with higher SARS-CoV-2 loads at hospital admission were more likely to require mechanical ventilation or die. The study suggests using viral load as a predictor of adverse outcomes in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia.
A study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society found that wearing face masks has minimal impact on gas exchange in healthy individuals and those with severe lung impairment. The researchers stress the importance of wearing masks to prevent COVID-19 infection, especially for patients with lung disease.
Historical racial & ethnic health inequities significantly contribute to the disproportionate COVID-19 impact, particularly among African American, Latinx, and Navajo Nation communities. Baseline inequalities in healthcare are exacerbated by the pandemic.
New research challenges assumption that asthma is a significant risk factor for severe COVID-19 hospitalization and intubation, finding lower prevalence rates among hospitalized patients compared to the general population.
The American Thoracic Society has released new practice guidelines on non-invasive ventilation in chronic stable Hypercapnic COPD. The guidelines recommend using nocturnal NIV in addition to usual care and screening patients for obstructive sleep apnea before initiating long-term therapy.
The American Thoracic Society and its collaborators have developed new clinical practice guidelines for diagnosing hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a condition that manifests as interstitial lung disease. The guidelines aim to standardize clinical care and facilitate research by providing a framework for clinicians to make accurate diagno...
The American Thoracic Society's ATS 2020 Virtual conference takes place from August 5-10 with same-day registration available. Registered press will have access to the virtual press office and opportunities for live expert chats.
The American Thoracic Society has published a guidance document to help clinicians restore elective in-person pulmonary and sleep services. The guidance provides recommendations for resuming services, prioritizing patients, and implementing infection control measures to mitigate the risk of viral transmission.
The American Thoracic Society's new guideline recommends varenicline as the optimal controller medication for clinicians to use initially in treating tobacco dependence. Introducing varenicline before a patient expresses willingness to quit results in an additional 308 patients achieving abstinence.
A study published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society found that Black individuals were twice as likely to test positive for COVID-19. The average age of infected participants was 52 years old, compared to 45 years old for those who tested negative.
Research on air pollution's impact on ILD reveals associations between pollutant exposure and increased risk of developing the disease. Epigenetic methods hold promise for understanding this relationship, but more study is needed to quantify effects.
A new study found that regions with early interest in face masks had milder COVID-19 epidemics, with correlations seen in Asian countries such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. The use of face masks was linked to lower infection rates, suggesting its potential role in slowing the spread of the virus.
COVID-19 respiratory droplets spread through air, posing risks to health care professionals. Guidelines offer recommendations to reduce transmission, including PPE use and distancing measures.
The COVID-19 pandemic is worsening existing drug shortages in the US, particularly for cancer treatments and critical care medications. Experts recommend improved communication and sharing mechanisms among hospitals and healthcare providers to address these shortages.
A new study examines ventilation and medication strategies to prevent psychological trauma in COVID-19 ARDS survivors. Researchers found that opiates are the most reliable agent for relieving air hunger, while sedatives often do not alleviate shortness of breath.
A new clinical trial protocol has been created to rapidly assess the efficacy of hydroxychlorquine and azithromycin in treating hospitalized patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. The study aims to recruit up to 300 participants and monitor their progress for 14 days.
The American Thoracic Society warns of the dangers of equating COVID-19 symptoms with high altitude pulmonary edema, highlighting key differences in pathophysiology and treatment. Clinicians must rely on scientific evidence to guide treatment, as oxygen therapy is ineffective for COVID-19-related lung injury.
A recent correspondence letter warns against premature use of novel therapies in COVID-19 patients, advocating for traditional critical care principles instead. The authors emphasize the importance of evidence-based practice and caution against abandoning reason during the pandemic.
Experts from Weill Cornell Medicine emphasize the importance of planning early for beds, equipment, and personnel, as well as utilizing remote communication platforms. The authors also highlight the need for daily communication among healthcare professionals to alleviate anxiety and ensure essential care.
Experts from Philadelphia's Temple University Hospital share their contingency plans for meeting increased demand for hospitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan includes staff training, infection control measures, and protocols for triaging patients with suspected COVID-19 infection.
The American Thoracic Society has published its first official guidelines for diagnosing sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease affecting the lungs and other organs. The guidelines recommend a baseline serum test to screen for hypercalcemia, as well as conditional tests for specific symptoms and organ involvement.
In the context of a resource-scarce COVID-19 treatment, ECMO physicians outline their approach to care and provide guidelines for medical centers to respond to patients' needs. The guidance emphasizes optimizing resource utilization to prioritize patients with severe respiratory failure but without other significant co-morbidities.
The American Thoracic Society recommends LABA/LAMA combination therapy for COPD patients experiencing dyspnea or exercise intolerance. This guideline also suggests considering triple therapy and withdrawing inhaled corticosteroids if no exacerbations occur.
A study of 109 deceased patients found that mortality from COVID-19 pneumonia was concentrated among patients above 65 years old, especially those with major comorbidities. Patients admitted to the ICU lived longer than those who weren
Researchers identified common characteristics of COVID-19 patients who died in Wuhan, China, including high mortality rates among males over 50 with chronic diseases. The study found that respiratory failure, shock, and cardiac arrhythmia were leading causes of death, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment.
Researchers studied 16 COVID-19 patients who recovered from symptoms but still shed the virus. Half kept shedding for up to eight days after symptom resolution, with more severe infections potentially lasting longer.
A retrospective study of 12 patients with severe COVID-19 found that lying face down improved lung function and reduced the need for high positive pressure. Prone positioning was associated with increased lung recruitability, reducing harm to patients.
A new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine reports that a three-drug combination of fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol reduces all-cause mortality by 42% in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treated with an inhaler once daily.
A UK study emphasizes the significance of spirometry in identifying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly among patients with respiratory symptoms. The study found that over-reliance on radiological changes alone may lead to incorrect diagnoses, highlighting the need for comprehensive assessments.
A new study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society has found that traditional biomass stoves significantly increase indoor levels of harmful PM2.5 and carbon monoxide, leading to lung inflammation and potentially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in developing nations.
Research suggests that lung bacteria can predict clinical outcomes in critically ill patients, with certain bacteria associated with worse outcomes and the presence of gut-associated bacteria found in the lungs. The study's findings have implications for developing new therapies to prevent and treat critical illness.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found a significant disparity in critical care deaths between non-minority and minority hospitals. Critically ill African American patients were more likely to experience poorer outcomes, with nearly a third treated at only 14 hospitals.
A small wildfire in San Diego County in 2017 resulted in a significant increase in children visiting the emergency room for breathing problems, according to new research. The study found that children under the age of 12 were more likely to develop breathing issues leading to an ER visit.
A recent study found that nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease is increasing in prevalence and incidence across the US, particularly among women and those over 65. The annual incidence of NTM lung disease increased from 3.13 to 4.73 per 100,000 person-years, while prevalence rose from 6.78 to 11.70 per 100,000 persons.
A new report published in the American Thoracic Society's journal shows that reductions in air pollution have fast and dramatic impacts on health-outcomes, including decreases in all-cause morbidity. The study found improvements in health were striking, with significant benefits among non-smokers.
The American Thoracic Society has published a new clinical guideline for the treatment and prevention of drug-resistant tuberculosis, emphasizing the use of all-oral regimens. The guideline also recommends treatment for all contacts of MDR-TB patients and provides evidence-based guidance for pregnant women with MDR-TB.
A new study found that only about 6 in 10 lung cancer patients in the US receive recommended treatments, with black patients and those over 80 receiving significantly lower treatment rates. The researchers highlight the importance of communicating benefits of treatment for advanced disease beyond survival.
A study of 845 CF patients found that lumacaftor-ivacaftor improves lung function, body weight, and reduces intravenous antibiotic treatment needs. However, nearly one in five patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events, highlighting the need for cautious interpretation.
New research suggests that many ICU admissions can be prevented with timely outpatient care for chronic conditions like high blood pressure or uncontrolled diabetes. Investing in preventive services could be a complementary strategy to increasing critical care workforce as the US population ages.