How High Should We Set IPAP for Non-Invasive Ventilation in COPD?
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This RCT found high-intensity non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in COPD patients with persistent hypercapnia decreased the need for endotracheal intubation according to prespecified criteria.
Source
Effect of High-Intensity vs Low-Intensity Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation on the Need for Endotracheal Intubation in Patients With an Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: The HAPPEN Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2024 Sep 16:e2415815. doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.15815. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39283649; PMCID: PMC11406453.
How to Manage Massive Hemoptysis
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ED management of massive hemoptysis should focus on resuscitation (including airway management, reversal of coagulopathy), diagnostic imaging, and prompt consultation or referral for definitive management.
Source
High risk and low incidence diseases: Massive hemoptysis. Am J Emerg Med. 2024 Sep 10;85:179-185. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2024.09.013. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39278024.
New Guidelines – Glucocorticoids for Sepsis, ARDS, and CAP
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The only strong recommendation for corticosteroid use was in patients needing to be hospitalized with severe community acquired pneumonia. The panel recommended against high-dose/short duration corticosteroids in patients with septic shock.
Source
2024 Focused Update: Guidelines on Use of Corticosteroids in Sepsis, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, and Community-Acquired Pneumonia. Crit Care Med. 2024 May 1;52(5):e219-e233. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000006172. Epub 2024 Jan 19. PMID: 38240492
Pulse Oximetry’s Color Bias
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In a controlled hypoxemia study, pulse oximetry was falsely elevated in subjects with darker skin pigmentation and low perfusion.
Source
Low Perfusion and Missed Diagnosis of Hypoxemia by Pulse Oximetry in Darkly Pigmented Skin: A Prospective Study. Anesth Analg. 2024 Mar 1;138(3):552-561. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000006755. Epub 2023 Dec 18. PMID: 38109495.
CAP Coverage – Beta Lactam Only?
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In patients hospitalized with non-severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), beta-lactam (BL) only antibiotic regimens have been shown to have increased mortality as compared to other first-line regimens.
Source
Comparative Effectiveness of First-Line and Alternative Antibiotic Regimens in Hospitalized Patients With Nonsevere Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study. Chest. 2024 Jan;165(1):68-78. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.08.008. Epub 2023 Aug 11.
New Meta-Analysis – Steroids Lower CAP Mortality
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This meta-analysis found a reduction in all-cause mortality in patients hospitalized with severe CAP who received adjunctive corticosteroid therapy.
Source
Efficacy and Safety of Corticosteroid Therapy for Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression of Randomized, Controlled Trials. Clin Infect Dis. 2023 Dec 15;77(12):1704-1713. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciad496.
Direct Oral Challenge – Bye-Bye Penicillin Allergy!
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While removing low risk amoxicillin allergies in the pediatric ED setting by direct oral challenge (DOC) may be effective, numerous factors play a role in reliable implementation.
Source
Multisite Oral Amoxicillin Challenges During Pediatric Emergency Department Visits. JAMA Pediatr. 2023 Oct 2:e233659. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.3659. Online ahead of print.
Alpha-gal and Anaphylaxis – What You Need to Know
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Anaphylaxis secondary to alpha-gal syndrome is increasing in frequency, particularly in the Southeast United States. It is important for Emergency Physicians to be aware of the rising incidence so as to include it on their differential.
Source
Alpha-Gal Syndrome: A Novel and Increasingly Common Cause of Anaphylaxis. Ann Emerg Med. 2023 Oct 11:S0196-0644(23)01187-3. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2023.08.491. Epub ahead of print.
Does Early Magnesium in Pediatric Asthma Reduce PICU Admission?
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Asthma is a common disease in childhood and results in many hospital admissions. This study was aimed at evaluating whether admission (specifically to the PICU) could be avoided by early magnesium sulfate administration for severe asthma exacerbation.
PEN-FAST 2.0 – Directly Testing for PCN Allergy – The PALACE RCT
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Starting with the PEN-FAST Decision Tool, direct oral challenges to low-risk individuals with reported penicillin allergies is safe, effective, and can remove a majority of mislabeled instances.
Source
Efficacy of a Clinical Decision Rule to Enable Direct Oral Challenge in Patients With Low-Risk Penicillin Allergy: The PALACE Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. Published online July 17, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.2986