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Annual Review of Medicine Jan 2024Interventional pulmonary medicine has developed as a subspecialty focused on the management of patients with complex thoracic disease. Leveraging minimally invasive... (Review)
Review
Interventional pulmonary medicine has developed as a subspecialty focused on the management of patients with complex thoracic disease. Leveraging minimally invasive techniques, interventional pulmonologists diagnose and treat pathologies that previously required more invasive options such as surgery. By mitigating procedural risk, interventional pulmonologists have extended the reach of care to a wider pool of vulnerable patients who require therapy. Endoscopic innovations, including endobronchial ultrasound and robotic and electromagnetic bronchoscopy, have enhanced the ability to perform diagnostic procedures on an ambulatory basis. Therapeutic procedures for patients with symptomatic airway disease, pleural disease, and severe emphysema have provided the ability to palliate symptoms. The combination of medical and procedural expertise has made interventional pulmonologists an integral part of comprehensive care teams for patients with oncologic, airway, and pleural needs. This review surveys key areas in which interventional pulmonologists have impacted the care of thoracic disease through bronchoscopic intervention.
Topics: Humans; Pulmonary Medicine; Bronchoscopy; Thoracic Diseases
PubMed: 37827195
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-med-050922-060929 -
Chest Dec 2021Targeted therapies for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with oncogenic drivers have caused a paradigm shift in care. Biomarker testing is needed to assess...
BACKGROUND
Targeted therapies for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with oncogenic drivers have caused a paradigm shift in care. Biomarker testing is needed to assess eligibility for these therapies. Pulmonologists often perform bronchoscopy, providing tissue for both pathologic diagnosis and biomarker analysis. We performed this survey to define the existing knowledge and practices regarding the pulmonologists' role in biomarker testing for advanced NSCLC.
RESEARCH QUESTION
What is the current knowledge and practice of pulmonologists regarding biomarker testing and targeted therapies in advanced NSCLC?
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
This cross-sectional study was performed using an electronic survey of a random sample of 7,238 pulmonologists. Questions focused on diagnostic steps and biomarker analyses for NSCLC.
RESULTS
A total of 453 pulmonologists responded. Respondents vary by reported lung cancer patient volume, ranging from 51% evaluating one to four new cases per month to 19% evaluating > 10 cases per month. Interventional training, academic practice setting, and higher volume of endobronchial ultrasound with transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) were associated with increased knowledge of practice guidelines for the number of recommended passes during EBUS-TBNA (P < .05). Academic pulmonologists more commonly performed or referred for EBUS-TBNA than community pulmonologists (96% and 83%, respectively; P < .0005). Higher testing rates were associated with interventional training, academic setting, and the presence of an institutional policy, whereas lower testing rates were associated with general pulmonologists, practice in community settings, and lack of a guiding institutional policy (P < .05).
INTERPRETATION
Substantial differences among pulmonologists' evaluation of advanced NSCLC, variation in knowledge of available biomarkers and the importance of targeted therapies, and differences in institutional coordination likely lead to underutilization of biomarker testing. Interventional training appears to drive improved knowledge and practice for biomarker testing more than practice setting. Improvements are needed in tissue acquisition and interdisciplinary coordination to ensure universal and comprehensive testing for eligible patients.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Cross-Sectional Studies; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Pulmonologists
PubMed: 34181954
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2021.06.027 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2023The treatment of non-small cell lung cancer has dramatically changed over the last decade through the use of targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Implementation of... (Review)
Review
The treatment of non-small cell lung cancer has dramatically changed over the last decade through the use of targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Implementation of these treatment regimens relies on detailed knowledge regarding each tumor's specific genomic profile, underscoring the necessity of obtaining superior diagnostic tissue specimens. While these treatment approaches are commonly utilized in the metastatic setting, approval among earlier-stage disease will continue to rise, highlighting the importance of early and comprehensive biomarker testing at the time of diagnosis for all patients. Pulmonologists play an integral role in the diagnosis and staging of non-small cell lung cancer via sophisticated tissue sampling techniques. This multifaceted review will highlight current indications for the use of targeted therapies and immunotherapies in non-small cell lung cancer and will outline the quality of various diagnostic approaches and subsequent success of tissue biomarker testing. Pulmonologist-specific methods, including endobronchial ultrasound and guided bronchoscopy, will be examined as well as other modalities such as CT-guided transthoracic biopsy and more.
PubMed: 36980426
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13061117 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Oct 2023: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare chronic disease of the small pulmonary arteries that causes right heart failure and death. Accurate management of PAH...
: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare chronic disease of the small pulmonary arteries that causes right heart failure and death. Accurate management of PAH is necessary to decrease morbidity and mortality. Understanding current practices and perspectives on PAH is important. For this purpose, we intended to determine physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns in adult pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in Turkey. : Between January and February 2022, an online questionnaire was sent via e-mail to all cardiologists and pulmonologists who were members of the Turkish Society of Cardiology (TSC) and the Turkish Thoracic Society (TTS). : A total of 200 physicians (122 pulmonologists and 78 cardiologists) responded to the questionnaire. Cardiologists were more frequently involved in the primary diagnosis and treatment of PAH than pulmonologists (37.2% vs. 23.8%, = 0.042). More than half of the physicians had access to right heart catheterization. In mild/moderate PAH patients with a negative vasoreactivity test, the monotherapy option was most preferred (82.8%) and endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) were the most preferred group in these patients (73%). ERAs plus phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5 INH) were the most preferred (69%) combination therapy, and prostacyclin analogues plus PDE-5 INH was preferred by only pulmonologists. : Overall, clinical management of patients with PAH complied with guideline recommendations. Effective clinical management of PAH in specialized centers that having right heart catheterization achieve better outcomes.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Cardiologists; Pulmonologists; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Turkey; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors
PubMed: 37893587
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59101869 -
Lung India : Official Organ of Indian... 2016Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) of the mediastinum was pioneered by gastroenterologists, and it was taken up by pulmonologists when the smaller-diameter endobronchial... (Review)
Review
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) of the mediastinum was pioneered by gastroenterologists, and it was taken up by pulmonologists when the smaller-diameter endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) scope was designed after a few years. The pulmonologists' approach remained largely confined to entry from the trachea, but they soon realized that the esophagus was an alternative route of entry by the EBUS scope. The new generations of interventionists are facing the challenge of learning two techniques (EUS and EBUS) from two routes (esophagus and trachea). The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) proposed a classification of mediastinal lymph nodes at different stations that lie within the boundaries of specific spaces. These interventionists need clear definitions of landmarks and clear techniques to identify the spaces. There are enough descriptions of spaces of the neck and the mediastinum in the literature, yet the topic mentioned above has never been discussed separately. The anatomical structures, landmarks, and boundaries of spaces will be important to interventionists in the near future during performances of endosonography. This article combines the baseline anatomy of the spaces with the actual imaging during EUS.
PubMed: 27185994
DOI: 10.4103/0970-2113.180866 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Dec 2022Cardiothoracic surgical critical care medicine is practiced by a diverse group of physicians including surgeons, anesthesiologists, pulmonologists, and cardiologists.... (Review)
Review
Cardiothoracic surgical critical care medicine is practiced by a diverse group of physicians including surgeons, anesthesiologists, pulmonologists, and cardiologists. With a wide array of specialties involved, the training of cardiothoracic surgical intensivists lacks standardization, creating significant variation in practice. Additionally, it results in siloed physicians who are less likely to collaborate and advocate for the cardiothoracic surgical critical care subspeciality. Moreover, the current model creates credentialing dilemmas, as experienced by some cardiothoracic surgeons. Through the lens of critical care anesthesiologists, this article addresses the shortcomings of the contemporary cardiothoracic surgical intensivist training standards. First, we describe the present state of practice, summarize past initiatives concerning specific training, outline why standardized education is needed, provide goals of such training standardization, and offer a list of desirable competencies that a trainee should develop to become a successful cardiothoracic surgical intensivist.
Topics: Humans; Critical Care; Surgeons; Pulmonologists
PubMed: 36557067
DOI: 10.3390/medicina58121865 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... May 2023The differential diagnosis of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) poses a challenge in clinical practice and its misdiagnosis results in... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Diagnostic Performance of a Machine Learning Algorithm (Asthma/Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD] Differentiation Classification) Tool Versus Primary Care Physicians and Pulmonologists in Asthma, COPD, and Asthma/COPD Overlap.
BACKGROUND
The differential diagnosis of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) poses a challenge in clinical practice and its misdiagnosis results in inappropriate treatment, increased exacerbations, and potentially death.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of the Asthma/COPD Differentiation Classification (AC/DC) tool compared with primary care physicians and pulmonologists in asthma, COPD, and asthma-COPD overlap.
METHODS
The AC/DC machine learning-based diagnostic tool was developed using 12 parameters from electronic health records of more than 400,000 patients aged 35 years and older. An expert panel of three pulmonologists and four general practitioners from five countries evaluated 119 patient cases from a prospective observational study and provided a confirmed diagnosis (n = 116) of asthma (n = 53), COPD (n = 43), asthma-COPD overlap (n = 7), or other (n = 13). Cases were then reviewed by 180 primary care physicians and 180 pulmonologists from nine countries and by the AC/DC tool, and diagnostic accuracies were compared with reference to the expert panel diagnoses.
RESULTS
Average diagnostic accuracy of the AC/DC tool was superior to that of primary care physicians (median difference, 24%; 95% posterior credible interval: 17% to 29%; P < .0001) and was noninferior and superior (median difference, 12%; 95% posterior credible interval: 6% to 17%; P < .0001 for noninferiority and P = .0006 for superiority) to that of pulmonologists. Average diagnostic accuracies were 73%, 50%, and 61% by AC/DC tool, primary care physicians, and pulmonologists versus expert panel diagnosis, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The AC/DC tool demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy compared with primary care physicians and pulmonologists in the diagnosis of asthma and COPD in patients aged 35 years and greater and has the potential to support physicians in the diagnosis of these conditions in clinical practice.
Topics: Humans; Pulmonologists; Physicians, Primary Care; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Asthma; General Practitioners
PubMed: 36716998
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.01.017 -
European Respiratory Review : An... Sep 2021Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare multisystem genetic disorder affecting almost all organs with no sex predominance. TSC has an autosomal-dominant inheritance...
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare multisystem genetic disorder affecting almost all organs with no sex predominance. TSC has an autosomal-dominant inheritance and is caused by a heterozygous mutation in either the or gene leading to hyperactivation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). TSC is associated with several pulmonary manifestations including lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), multifocal micronodular pneumocyte hyperplasia (MMPH) and chylous effusions. LAM is a multisystem disorder characterised by cystic destruction of lung parenchyma, and may occur in either the setting of TSC (TSC-LAM) or sporadically (S-LAM). LAM occurs in 30-40% of adult females with TSC at childbearing age and is considered a nonmalignant metastatic neoplasm of unknown origin. TSC-LAM is generally milder and, unlike S-LAM, may occur in males. It manifests as multiple, bilateral, diffuse and thin-walled cysts with normal intervening lung parenchyma on chest computed tomography. LAM is complicated by spontaneous pneumothoraces in up to 70% of patients, with a high recurrence rate. mTOR inhibitors are the treatment of choice for LAM with moderately impaired lung function or chylous effusion. MMPH, manifesting as multiple solid and ground-glass nodules on high-resolution computed tomography, is usually harmless with no need for treatment.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Lymphangioleiomyomatosis; Male; Pulmonologists; Tuberous Sclerosis
PubMed: 34348978
DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0348-2020 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Oct 2020Little is known about specialist-specific variations in guideline agreement and adoption.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about specialist-specific variations in guideline agreement and adoption.
OBJECTIVE
To assess similarities and differences between allergists and pulmonologists in adherence to cornerstone components of the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program's Third Expert Panel Report.
METHODS
Self-reported guideline agreement, self-efficacy, and adherence were assessed in allergists (n = 134) and pulmonologists (n = 99) in the 2012 National Asthma Survey of Physicians. Multivariate models were used to assess if physician and practice characteristics explained bivariate associations between specialty and "almost always" adhering to recommendations (ie, ≥75% of the time).
RESULTS
Allergists and pulmonologists reported high guideline self-efficacy and moderate guideline agreement. Both groups "almost always" assessed asthma control (66.2%, standard error [SE] 4.3), assessed school/work asthma triggers (71.3%, SE, 3.9), and endorsed inhaled corticosteroids use (95.5%, SE 2.0). Repeated assessment of the inhaler technique, use of asthma action/treatment plans, and spirometry were lower (39.7%, SE 4.0; 30.6%, SE 3.6; 44.7%, SE 4.1, respectively). Compared with pulmonologists, more allergists almost always performed spirometry (56.6% vs 38.6%, P = .06), asked about nighttime awakening (91.9% vs 76.5%, P = .03) and emergency department visits (92.2% vs 76.5%, P = .03), assessed home triggers (70.5% vs 52.6%, P = .06), and performed allergy testing (61.8% vs 21.3%, P < .001). In multivariate analyses, practice-specific characteristics explained differences except for allergy testing.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, allergists and pulmonologists adhere to the asthma guidelines with notable exceptions, including asthma action plan use and inhaler technique assessment. Recommendations with low implementation offer opportunities for further exploration and could serve as targets for increasing guideline uptake.
Topics: Allergists; Asthma; Guideline Adherence; Humans; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Pulmonologists; Spirometry
PubMed: 32344187
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.04.026 -
Palliative Medicine Reports 2023Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious illness with an unpredictable disease course and survival rates comparable with some cancers. Patients with IPF suffer...
BACKGROUND
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious illness with an unpredictable disease course and survival rates comparable with some cancers. Patients with IPF suffer considerable symptom burden, declining quality of life, and high health care resource utilization. Patients and caregivers report many unmet needs, including a desire for more education regarding diagnosis and assistance with navigating disease trajectory. Compelling evidence suggests that palliative care (PC) provides an extra layer of support for patients with serious illness.
RESEARCH QUESTION
The purpose of this survey was to gain perspectives regarding PC for patients with IPF by board-certified pulmonologists in South Carolina (SC).
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
A 24-item survey was adapted (with permission) from the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation PC Survey instrument. Data were analyzed and results are presented.
RESULTS
Pulmonologists ( = 32, 44%) completed the survey; 97% practice in urbanized settings. The majority agreed that PC and hospice do not provide the same service. There were varying views about comfort in discussing prognosis, disease trajectory, and addressing advance directives. Options for ambulatory and inpatient PC are limited and early PC referral does not occur. None reported initiating a PC referral at time of initial IPF diagnosis.
INTERPRETATION
Pulmonologists in SC who participated in this survey are aware of the principles of PC in providing comprehensive care to patients with IPF and have limited options for PC referral. PC educational materials provided early in the diagnosis can help facilitate and guide end-of-life planning and discussions. Minimal resources exist for patients in underserved communities.
PubMed: 37915951
DOI: 10.1089/pmr.2023.0038