PulmPEEPs

Today, Dave Furfaro, Luke Hedrick, and Robert Wharton discuss the PREDMETH trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2025. This was a non-inferiority trial comparing prednisone to methotrexate for upfront therapy in treatment-naive sarcoidosis patients. Listen in for a break down of the trial, analysis, and clinically applicable pearls. Article and Reference Todays’ episode discusses the PREDMETH trial published in NEJM in 2025. Kahlmann V, Janssen Bonás M, Moor CC, Grutters JC, Mostard RLM, van Rijswijk HNAJ, van der Maten J, Marges ER, Moonen LAA, Overbeek MJ, Koopman B, Loth DW, Nossent EJ, Wagenaar M, Kramer H, Wielders PLML, Bonta PI, Walen S, Bogaarts BAHA, Kerstens R, Overgaauw M, Veltkamp M, Wijsenbeek MS; PREDMETH Collaborators. First-Line Treatment of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis with Prednisone or Methotrexate. N Engl J Med. 2025 Jul 17;393(3):231-242. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2501443. Epub 2025 May 18. PMID: 40387020. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2501443 Meet Our Hosts Luke Hedrick is an Associate Editor at Pulm PEEPs and runs the Rapid Fire Journal Club Series. He is a senior PCCM fellow at Emory, and will be starting as a pulmonary attending at Duke University next year. Robert Wharton is a recurring guest on Pulm PEEPs as a part of our Rapid Fire Journal Club Series. He completed his internal medicine residency at Mt. Sinai in New York City, and is currently a first year pulmonary and critical care fellow at Johns Hopkins. Key Learning Points Clinical context Prednisone remains the traditional first-line treatment for pulmonary sarcoidosis when treatment is indicated, with evidence for short-term improvements in symptoms, radiographic findings, and pulmonary function—but with substantial, familiar steroid toxicities (weight gain, insomnia, HTN/DM, infection risk, etc.). Despite widespread use, glucocorticoids haven’t been robustly tested head-to-head against many alternatives as initial therapy, and evidence for preventing long-term decline (especially in severe disease) is limited. Immunosuppressants (like methotrexate) are often used as steroid-sparing agents, but guideline recommendations are generally conditional/low-quality evidence, and practice varies. Why PREDMETH matters It addresses a real-world question: Can methotrexate be an initial alternative to prednisone in pulmonary sarcoidosis, rather than being reserved only for steroid-sparing later? It also probes a common clinical belief: MTX has slower onset than prednisone (often assumed, not well-proven). Trial design (what to know) Open-label, randomized, noninferiority trial across 17 hospitals in the Netherlands. Included patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis who had a clear pulmonary indication to start systemic therapy (moderate/severe symptoms plus objective risk features like reduced FVC/DLCO or documented decline, plus parenchymal abnormalities). Excluded: non–treatment-naïve patients and those whose primary indication was extrapulmonary disease. Treat-to-tolerability with escalation: both drugs started low and were slowly increased; switch/add-on allowed for inadequate efficacy or unacceptable side effects. Primary endpoint: change in FVC (with the usual caveat that FVC is “objective-ish,” but effort-dependent and not always patient-centered). Noninferiority margin: 5% FVC, justified as within biologic/measurement variation and “not clinically relevant.” Outcomes assessed at weeks 4, 16, 24; powered for ~110 patients to detect the NI margin. Patient population (who this applies to) Mostly middle-aged (~40s) with mild-to-moderate physiologic impairment on average (FVC ~77% predicted; DLCO ~70% predicted). Netherlands-based cohort with limited Black representation (~7%), which matters for generalizability. Would have been helpful to know more about comorbidities (e.g., diabetes), which can strongly influence prednisone risk. Main findings (what happened) Methotrexate was noninferior to prednisone at week 24 for FVC: Between-group difference in least-squares mean change at week 24: −1.17 percentage points (favoring prednisone) with CI −4.27 to +1.93, staying within the 5% NI margin. Timing mattered: Prednisone showed earlier benefit (notably by week 4) in FVC and across quality-of-life measures. By week 24, those early differences largely washed out—possibly because MTX “catches up,” and/or because crossover increased over time. In their reporting, MTX didn’t meet noninferiority for FVC until week 24, supporting the practical message that prednisone works faster. Crossover and analysis nuance (important for interpretation) Crossover was fairly high, which complicates noninferiority interpretation: MTX arm: some switched to prednisone for adverse events and others had prednisone added for disease progression/persistent symptoms. Prednisone arm: some had MTX added. In noninferiority trials, heavy crossover can bias intention-to-treat analyses toward finding “no difference” (making noninferiority easier to claim). Per-protocol analyses avoid some of that but introduce other biases. They reported both. Safety signals (what to remember clinically) Adverse events were very common in both arms (almost everyone), mostly mild. Side-effect patterns fit expectations: Prednisone: more insomnia (and classic steroid issues). MTX: more headache/cough/rash, and notably liver enzyme elevations (about 1 in 4), with a small number discontinuing. Serious adverse events were rare; numbers were too small to confidently separate “signal vs noise,” but overall known risk profiles apply. Limitations (why you shouldn’t over-read it) Open-label design, and FVC—while objective-ish—is still effort-dependent and can be influenced by expectation/behavior. Small trial, limiting subgroup conclusions (e.g., severity strata, different phenotypes). Generalizability issues (Netherlands demographics; US populations have higher rates of obesity/metabolic syndrome, which may tilt the steroid risk-benefit equation). Crossover reduces precision and interpretability of between-group differences over time. Practice implications (the “so what”) For many patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis needing systemic therapy, MTX is a reasonable initial alternative to prednisone when thinking long-term tolerability and steroid avoidance. Prednisone likely provides faster symptom/QoL relief in the first weeks—so it may be preferable when rapid improvement is important. The trial strengthens the case for a patient-centered discussion: short-term relief vs side-effect tradeoffs, and the possibility of early combination therapy in more severe cases (suggested, not proven).

Today we’re kicking off another segment in our Guidelines Series, and doing a deep dive into the 2022 ESC/ERS Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Over a series of episodes we’ll talk about the most recent updates to definitions around pulmonary hypertension, recognizing and diagnosing Group 1 – 5 pulmonary hypertension, risk stratification, and treatments. In this first episode, we will review the most recent definitions, including changes to the definitions that were new in 2022. We’ll then talk about recognizing and diagnosing pulmonary hypertension with tips and insights along the way.   Meet Our Co-Hosts Rupali Sood  grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and made her way over to Baltimore for medical school at Johns Hopkins. She then completed her internal medicine residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital before returning back to Johns Hopkins, where she is currently a pulmonary and critical care medicine fellow alongside Tom. Rupali’s interests include interstitial lung disease, particularly as related to oncologic drugs. And she also loves bedside medical education. Tom Di Vitantonio  is originally from New Jersey and attended medical school at Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School in Newark. He then completed his internal medicine residency at Weill Cornell, where he also served as a chief resident. He currently is a pulmonary and critical care medicine fellow at Johns Hopkins, and he’s passionate about caring for critically ill patients, how we approach the management of pulmonary embolism, and also about medical education of trainees to help them be more confident and patient centered in the care they have going forward. Infographic Key Learning Points Why to have a high index of suspicion for pulmonary hypertension (PH) PH often presents subtly with slowly progressive dyspnea on exertion, fatigue, lightheadedness, exertional chest pain, or syncope. There’s often a delay of 1–2+ years from symptom onset to diagnosis, which is associated with worse mortality. Early recognition and treatment, especially for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, WHO group 1), can significantly change outcomes.   When to suspect PH Think PH when: Dyspnea is out of proportion to: CT parenchymal findings (relatively normal lungs) Spirometry (normal FEV₁/FVC, volumes) There are subtle but progressive symptoms over months: Reduced exercise tolerance No obvious alternative explanation (e.g., no overt HF, CAD, big ILD, etc.) Physical exam may show (often late): Elevated JVP, V waves (TR) Peripheral edema, hepatomegaly, ascites Loud P2, RV heave In the case: a woman with systemic sclerosis + slowly progressive exertional dyspnea + relatively normal CT parenchyma and spirometry → high suspicion.   WHO classification: 5 PH groups (big picture + why it matters) Used for pathophysiology, prognosis, and treatment choices: Group 1 – PAH Idiopathic, heritable (e.g., BMPR2), drug-induced (e.g., dasatinib) Connective tissue disease (esp. systemic sclerosis) Portal hypertension (portopulmonary HTN) HIV, HHT, congenital heart disease/shunts Rare: PVOD, PCH Group 2 – PH due to left heart disease HFrEF, HFpEF, valvular disease Most common cause worldwide. Group 3 – PH due to lung disease/hypoxia COPD, ILD, combined pulmonary fibrosis–emphysema OSA/obesity hypoventilation, chronic hypoxemia Group 4 – CTEPH Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension Group 5 – Multifactorial/unclear Sarcoidosis, myeloproliferative disorders, CKD, sickle cell, etc. Patients can span multiple groups (e.g., systemic sclerosis: group 1 and/or group 3; sickle cell: many mechanisms).   Initial workup & refining pre-test probability Once you suspect PH, you’re trying to answer: Does this patient likely have PH? If yes, what group(s) are most likely? Core non-invasive tests: NT-proBNP (preferred over BNP) Surrogate of RV strain and prognosis. Normal value makes significant RV failure less likely. Oxygenation & exercise Resting SpO₂ plus ambulatory sats; consider 6-minute walk test. Exertional desaturation is common and clinically meaningful. CXR & ECG Low yield but may show RV enlargement, right axis deviation, etc. Pulmonary function tests Full set: spirometry, volumes, DLCO. Clue: isolated or disproportionately low DLCO with relatively preserved FVC suggests pulmonary vascular disease. Imaging High-res CT chest – parenchymal disease (ILD, emphysema). V/Q scan – best screening test for CTEPH; better than CT angiography for chronic disease. Sleep testing / overnight oximetry When OSA/nocturnal hypoxemia suspected.   Echo: estimating PH probability (not diagnosis) TTE is the key screening tool but does not diagnose PH. Main elements: Peak tricuspid regurgitant (TR) velocity Used to estimate pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP). Categories: Low probability: TR velocity < 2.8 m/s, no other PH signs. Intermediate: 2.9–3.4 m/s ± other PH signs. High: > 3.4 m/s. The presence and severity of TR ≠ TR velocity. You can have severe TR without PH. “Other signs” of PH/RV dysfunction on echo: RV enlargement or systolic dysfunction (qualitative, TAPSE < ~1.7 cm, S′ ↓) RA enlargement Septal flattening (D-shaped LV; systolic = pressure overload, diastolic + systolic = volume + pressure) Dilated PA Pericardial effusion Interpretation pattern: Low pre-test probability + TR v < 2.8 + no other signs → PH unlikely. Intermediate TR v (2.9–3.4) + high pre-test probability and/or other PH signs → consider RHC. High TR v (>3.4) or clearly abnormal RV → strongly consider RHC if it would change management. Also: Echo is great to follow RV size/function and PASP over time once PH is diagnosed and treated. Case echo: TR velocity 3.1 m/s + mild RA enlargement + moderate RV enlargement + TAPSE 1.6 cm → intermediate probability, consistent with PH and RV involvement.   Right heart cath (RHC): gold standard & updated definitions You cannot definitively diagnose or classify PH without RHC. Key directly measured values: RA, RV, PA pressures Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP/PAWP) ≈ LVEDP Oxygen saturations in chambers/vessels Cardiac output (thermodilution) Key derived values: Cardiac output (Fick) Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) Updated hemodynamic definitions: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) mPAP ≥ 20 mm Hg (lowered from ≥ 25). Pre-capillary PH (think PAH, group 1; also groups 3, 4, some 5): mPAP ≥ 20 PAWP ≤ 15 PVR > 2 Wood units (new lower threshold) Isolated post-capillary PH (IpcPH) (group 2) mPAP ≥ 20 PAWP > 15 PVR ≤ 2 Combined pre- and post-capillary PH (CpcPH) mPAP ≥ 20 PAWP > 15 PVR > 2 Rationale for the changes: Normal mPAP in healthy people is < ~19; 20 is about 2 SD above normal. Patients with mPAP 20–24 (esp. systemic sclerosis) already have worse outcomes than those < 20. Lowering PVR cutoff from 3 → 2 WU better aligns with these new thresholds and catches earlier precapillary disease. Practical interpretation: You use mPAP + PAWP + PVR to: Confirm PH. Distinguish pre- vs post-capillary. Identify mixed disease. Echo tells you probability; RHC tells you what type and how severe.   Vasoreactivity testing (acute vasodilator testing) Only indicated in: Idiopathic (IPAH) Heritable PAH Drug-induced PAH→ Not routine for all PH patients. Performed in the cath lab with short-acting vasodilator (e.g., inhaled NO). Positive test: ↓ mPAP ≥ 10 mm Hg To an absolute mPAP ≤ 40 mm Hg No fall in cardiac output Why it matters: Identifies a small subset who can be treated with high-dose calcium channel blockers long-term and often have better prognosis. Does not predict response to other PAH therapies (ERA, PDE5i, prostacyclin, etc.).   Screening high-risk populations Some groups warrant systematic screening because of high PAH risk. a) Systemic sclerosis / systemic sclerosis spectrum Annual screening if: Disease duration ≥ 3 years FVC ≥ 40% predicted DLCO < 60% predicted DETECT algorithm (2-step): Step 1: uses labs and simple tests (FVC/DLCO ratio, NT-proBNP, autoantibodies, right axis deviation on ECG, telangiectasias). If positive → Step 2: adds echo (TR velocity, RA size). If high risk after Step 2 → RHC. Goal: catch early PAH before symptoms are severe. b) Other high-risk groups Annual screening (usually with echo ± NT-proBNP, PFTs) for: Known heritable PAH mutations (e.g., BMPR2) Portal hypertension (esp. considering liver transplant or TIPS) HIV Always layer this on top of clinical symptoms and progression.   Big practical takeaways (what to apply on Monday) Don’t label “pulmonary hypertension” off CT or echo alone. Enlarged PA on CT or elevated PASP on echo ≠ diagnosis. RHC is required. Think PH early when: Dyspnea is out of proportion to imaging and spirometry. There is a relevant risk factor (systemic sclerosis, portal HTN, HIV, prior PE, congenital heart disease, etc.). Use the WHO groups to structure your differential and workup: Group 1 vs 2 vs 3 vs 4 vs 5 → drives what tests you order and what treatments you eventually consider. Echo = probability. RHC = truth. Echo gives you low / intermediate / high PH probability. RHC gives you pre- vs post-capillary, PVR, and hemodynamics needed for therapy. Know the new numbers: mPAP ≥ 20 = PH PAWP cutoff = 15 PVR > 2 WU = precapillary component Don’t forget NT-proBNP, DLCO, V/Q scan, and high-risk screening (especially in systemic sclerosis and BMPR2 carriers).   References Humbert M, Kovacs G, Hoeper MM, Badagliacca R, Berger RMF, Brida M, Carlsen J, Coats AJS, Escribano-Subias P, Ferrari P, Ferreira DS, Ghofrani HA, Giannakoulas G, Kiely DG, Mayer E, Meszaros G, Nagavci B, Olsson KM, Pepke-Zaba J, Quint JK, Rådegran G, Simonneau G, Sitbon O, Tonia T, Toshner M, Vachiery JL, Vonk Noordegraaf A, Delcroix M, Rosenkranz S; ESC/ERS Scientific Document Group. 2022 ESC/ERS Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pul

Furf and Monty are back today with another Pulm PEEPs Pearls episode, and discussing the use of methylene blue for patients with septic shock. They review the clinical scenarios when this comes up, the mechanism, some key data, and some take aways, all in 15 minutes! Let us know any other topics you’d like covered on the show and make sure to like, give us 5 stars, and subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast. This episode was prepared in conjunction with George Doumat MD. Goerge is an internal medicine resident at UT Southwestern and joined us for a Pulm PEEPs – BMJ Thorax journal club episode. He is now acting as a Pulm PEEPs Editor for the Pulm PEEPs Pearls series. Key Learning Points Clinical context: when does methylene blue even come up? This is not a first-line sepsis drug. It’s considered in catecholamine-refractory vasoplegic septic shock, typically when: Norepinephrine is at high dose Vasopressin is on board Often a 3rd or 4th vasopressor is being used (e.g., phenylephrine, angiotensin II) The phenotype is strongly vasodilatory/vasoplegic (warm, distributive shock) rather than primarily cardiogenic. Mechanism of action (why it might help) Methylene blue: Inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase and guanylate cyclase. Blunts excess nitric oxide and cyclic GMP–mediated vasodilation, which are key in vasoplegic sepsis. Practical translation: It restores vascular tone and can make the vasculature more responsive to catecholamines. It’s also used in post-CPB vasoplegia (e.g., after cardiac surgery, especially in patients on ACE inhibitors) and has migrated from that world into ICU sepsis practice. Typical dosing strategy (as described in the episode) Common approach: 1–3 mg/kg IV bolus, then Reassess hemodynamics (MAP, dynamic perfusion markers). If there’s a response, consider a continuous infusion or repeat bolus. Key nuance: unlike other pressors that start as drips, methylene blue is often trialed as a bolus first to see if it’s doing anything. What does the evidence suggest? Most data are from small, single-center, heterogeneous studies, so evidence quality is low. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews (through ~2024–25) suggest: Hemodynamics Can increase MAP (roughly 1–10 mmHg across studies). May shorten total vasopressor duration (one meta-analysis ~30 hours less, though this is not definitive). Secondary physiologic effects Some small improvements in PaO₂/FiO₂ (P/F) ratio in certain studies. Clinical outcomes Possible reduction in hospital length of stay (≈ up to 2 days in some pooled analyses). Some signal toward lower short-term mortality, but: Studies are small Heterogeneous Evidence is very low certainty Bottom line: There’s a repeatable signal that methylene blue: Raises MAP Helps reduce catecholamine requirements But hard clinical outcomes (mortality, LOS, ventilator days) remain uncertain. Safety profile & important adverse effects Things to watch for: Methemoglobinemia Serotonin syndrome Especially in patients on SSRIs, though in life-threatening refractory shock the hosts still lean toward using it with caution. Pulse oximeter artifact Can distort SpO₂ readings. Urine discoloration Blue/green urine—benign but striking. Notably: Methylene blue is both a treatment for and a potential cause of methemoglobinemia, depending on context and dosing. Guidelines & where it fits in practice Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021: Does not recommend methylene blue for routine use in septic shock. No major critical care society includes it in standard septic shock bundles or protocols. The hosts frame methylene blue as: A rescue therapy, not guideline therapy. Something to consider only in refractory vasoplegic shock, ideally with: Multidisciplinary discussion (intensivist, pharmacist, etc.). Clear documentation that this is off-guideline, salvage use. Practical bedside framing (“2 a.m. in the ICU”) They emphasize three pillars of practice: Physiology – mechanism makes sense (NO / cGMP / vasodilation). Empiric evidence – small studies and meta-analyses show a signal but low-quality data. Bedside reality – at 2 a.m., with a patient in multi-pressor, refractory vasoplegic shock, you sometimes reach for imperfect tools. So, the practical take: You should NOT: Use methylene blue early. Treat it as part of standard sepsis care. You may consider it when: Shock is clearly vasoplegic and refractory. Norepi + vasopressin + at least one more vasopressor are maxed. Team agrees this is salvage therapy and understands the limited evidence and side effects.

For today’s podcast we have a special episode. We were extremely grateful to be invited to present live at CHEST 2025 this year. Kristina Montemayor, and Pulm PEEPs Associate Editors Luke Hedrick, Tom Di Vitantonio, and Rupali Sood hosted a session entitled “Widened Airways and Narrowed Differentials”. It is a great session around bronchiectasis. Enjoy!   Meet Our Guests Dr. Doreen Addrizzo-Harris is  a Professor of Medicine at NYU where she is also Associate Director of Clinical and Academic Affairs for the pulmonary and critical care division. In addition to that, she’s the director of the bronchiectasis and NTM program and also serves as a program director for the pulmonary and critical care fellowship. Case Snapshot 60-year-old with CLL (in remission) → recurrent “pneumonias,” diffuse (not single-lobe), later dx’d with CVID; serial CTs: upper-lobe–predominant bronchiectasis, tree-in-bud, mucus impaction; multiple AFB+ cultures (MAC, later M. abscessus); recurrent bacterial flares (MSSA/MRSA).   CT Images   Key Learning Points Imaging pearls Tree-in-bud = small airways (bronchiolar) impaction/inflammation, not a diagnosis. Differential guided by distribution + chronicity: Acute/diffuse → bacterial/viral/NTM infection Dependent/basal → aspiration Persistent + nodular + bronchiectasis → NTM common Bronchiectasis CT signs (think: “ring, taper, edge”): Broncho-arterial ratio >1 (signet-ring) Lack of normal tapering Visible bronchi within 1 cm of pleura Location matters: Upper lobes → CF, sarcoid, prior TB/radiation Middle lobe/lingula → NTM classic; consider ABPA if central Lower lobes → aspiration, PCD, CTD, immunodeficiency NTM: diagnosis & when to treat Use all three (2020 guideline frame): clinical symptoms, compatible CT, microbiology (≥2 sputum cultures or 1 bronch +, etc.). Not every positive culture = disease needing drugs. If you defer pharmacologic therapy, follow closely (symptoms, sputum, PFTs, interval CT if change). Bug matters: MAC, M. abscessus, kansasii etc. “Low-virulence” species (e.g., M. gordonae) can still flag underlying airway disease. Regimens (MAC, macrolide-susceptible): azithro + ethambutol + rifampin (intermittent for nodular-bronchiectatic; daily ± IV amikacin for fibro-cavitary/advanced). Macrolide is the backbone; the others protect against resistance. M. abscessus: check for inducible macrolide resistance (prolonged in-vitro testing). Monitoring: sputum q1–3 mo; labs (CBC/CMP), vision (ethambutol), hearing (aminoglycosides). Treat ~12 months beyond culture conversion. Anti-inflammatory macrolide for bronchiectasis is contraindicated if macrolide-susceptible NTM is present—risk of resistance. Bronchiectasis management essentials It’s a syndrome: symptoms/exacerbations plus CT changes. Airway clearance is foundational (exercise + devices ± hypertonic saline/DNase when indicated). Expect CT and symptom gains with adherence. Exacerbations often need ~14 days of pathogen-directed antibiotics (short courses may fail). Take the “easy win” when a conventional pathogen explains the flare. Workup framework (start with a core bundle, then target) Core “every patient” bundle CBC with diff (look for eosinophilia/hematologic clues) Quantitative IgG/IgA/IgM (primary/secondary immunodeficiency) ABPA screen: total IgE + Aspergillus-specific IgE/IgG Sputum cultures: routine bacteria + AFB + fungal (if producing) Baseline PFTs Targeted tests (guided by history, distribution, microbes) CF evaluation: sweat chloride and/or CFTR genotyping (especially with upper-lobe disease, chronic sinusitis/nasal polyps, pancreatitis/malabsorption, infertility/CAVD). PCD: nasal NO, genetics, specialized ciliary studies (adult cases may be mild and missed by genetics alone). Alpha-1 antitrypsin (never-smoker emphysema, liver hx) CTD serologies (RA, Sjögren’s, etc.), if suggestive Aspiration/upper-GI assessment when basal-predominant or reflux symptoms For suspected/known CVID: vaccine response assessment if not on replacement (this patient was already on IVIG). Practical diagnostic habits Re-read the CT yourself—radiology may under-call mild bronchiectasis in ED/PE-protocol scans. Use a diagnostic time-out when the course isn’t fitting: name your working dx, list fits/mismatches, consider common diseases with atypical presentations, multi-morbidity, and can’t-miss alternatives; ask for help early; communicate uncertainty. Teach-to-remember pearls from the case Recurrent, geographically scattered pneumonias → think systemic causes (immunodeficiency, CF/PCD), not just focal anatomic problems. Upper-lobe bronchiectasis + CAVD is a CF red flag—even in the 60s. Adult-onset CF is real and actionable. In CF today, MSSA can be more common than Pseudomonas on culture; don’t let absence of Pseudomonas dissuade you. Airway clearance adherence can change CTs; instruct patients to ramp up before surveillance scans for a fair assessment. If symptoms abate with targeted therapy to a conventional pathogen, you may avoid immediate NTM re-treatment—but keep a tight follow-up loop.  

In this episode, we’re concluding our review of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines on asthma today with a cased based episode on special considerations in asthma care. We’ve covered asthma diagnosis and phenotyping, the approach to therapy inhaler and oral medical therapy, and biologic therapy. On today’s episode we’re talking about complex cases that are at the edges of the guidelines, or may be in future guidelines. To help us with this exciting topic we’re joined by an expert in the field. Enjoy!  Meet Our Guest Dr. Meredith McCormack is a Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins, where she leads multiple NIH funded endeavors at understanding lung health and disease. She is the Division Director for Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, while also directing the Asthma Precision Medicine Center of Excellence, and the BREATHE Center, which focuses on understanding the effects of the environment on lung health and disease through research and community engagement.  She is an internationally recognized expert in asthma management and is a dedicated member of the faculty who is committed to the trainees. Meet Our Co-Hosts Rupali Sood  grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and made her way over to Baltimore for medical school at Johns Hopkins. She then completed her internal medicine residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital before returning back to Johns Hopkins, where she is currently a second year pulmonary and critical care medicine fellow alongside Tom. Rupali’s interests include interstitial lung disease, particularly as related to oncologic drugs. And she also loves bedside medical education. Tom Di Vitantonio  is originally from New Jersey and attended medical school at Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School in Newark. He then completed his internal medicine residency at Weill Cornell, where he also served as a chief resident. He currently is a second year pulmonary and critical care medicine fellow at Johns Hopkins, and he’s passionate about caring for critically ill patients, how we approach the management of pulmonary embolism, and also about medical education of trainees to help them be more confident and patient centered in the care they have going forward. Key Learning Points Episode themesBuilt on GINA 2024: final capstone focusing on evolving topics + case-based application.Three focal areas: (1) obesity/metabolic health (GLP-1s, metformin), (2) dual biologics vs switching, (3) de-escalating inhalers while on biologics.Emphasis throughout on personalized care, shared decision-making, and multidisciplinary collaboration.Obesity & metabolic health in asthmaObesity affects mechanics, inflammation, and treatment response; tackling metabolic dysfunction can improve asthma control.GLP-1 receptor agonists may provide additive benefit beyond weight loss for some patients (early clinical signals; trials ongoing).Metformin is being studied as a potential adjunct targeting metabolic-inflammatory pathways.Practical approach: screen/counsel on weight, activity, and metabolic disease; partner with primary care/endocrine/sleep clinics; consider GLP-1/other agents when indicated for comorbidities, with potential asthma “bonus.”Biologics: switching vs dual therapyConsider switching/adding when control is not achieved or sustained on a biologic despite adherence.Upstream vs downstream targets:Upstream: anti-TSLP (e.g., tezepelumab) may help when multiple pathways/biomarkers (e.g., high IgE + eos) suggest broader blockade.Downstream: IL-5/IL-4/13/IgE agents selected to match phenotype/endotypes.Comorbidities can drive choice:Nasal polyps or upper airway syndromes: there are biologic options that improve upper airway symptoms in addition to asthmaAtopic dermatitis: agents with dual indications can be life-changing.Logistics matter: injection burden/needle phobia and dosing cadence (e.g., every 2 vs 4–8 weeks) can determine real-world success.De-escalating inhalers on biologicsDon’t step down immediately. Ask patients to maintain their full regimen for ~3 months after starting a biologic to gauge true benefit.Set expectations early and share a step-down plan to prevent unsupervised discontinuation.Typical order (individualize):Remove non-essential add-ons first (e.g., antihistamines, leukotriene modifiers).Reduce ICS dose gradually (high → medium → low).Keep ICS/LABA combination among the last therapies to taperTargets while stepping down: “normal” lung function when feasible, minimal/no day or night symptoms, full activity, no exacerbations.When patients don’t respond to biologicsRe-check the fundamentals:Adherence/technique for inhalers and biologic.Biomarkers behaving as expected (e.g., eosinophils falling on anti-IL-5).Revisit the diagnosis and contributors/mimics (e.g., vocal cord dysfunction, upper-airway disease). Consider moving upstream (e.g., to TSLP) if a downstream agent underperforms.Communication & practical pearlsUse visual aids to verify what patients actually take and how (e.g., Asthma & Allergy Network inhaler pictogram).Needle issues are common; home vs clinic administration and family support can make or break adherence.Biologics are transformative for the right patient—consider them early in steroid-dependent or poorly controlled severe asthma.Think longitudinally: plan for monitoring, comorbidity management, and timely adjustments. 

We’re back with our 4th episode in our collaborative series with BMJ Thorax. This week’s episode covers four articles related to bronchiectasis and covers a range of topics in this domain including novel therapeutics, registry data to understand risk, and health related quality of life. Our mission at Pulm PEEPs is to disseminate and promote pulmonary and critical care education, and we highly value the importance of peer reviewed journals in this endeavor. Each month in BMJ Thorax, a journal club is published looking at high yield and impactful publications in pulmonary medicine. We will be putting out quarterly episodes in association with Thorax to discuss a journal club publication and synthesize four valuable papers. Meet Our Guests Chris Turnbull is an Associate Editor for Education at Thorax. He is an Honorary Researcher and Respiratory Medicine Consultant at Oxford University Hospitals. In addition to his role as Associate Editor for Education at BMJ Thorax, he is also a prominent researcher in sleep-related breathing disorders. Dr. George Doumat completed his medical school at the American University of Beirut and now is an internal medicine resident at UT south western in his second year of training. Prior to starting residency he was a research fellow at MGH studying chronic lung disease. Journal Club Papers Journal club paper from BMJ Thorax Phase 3 Trial of the DPP-1 Inhibitor Brensocatib in Bronchiectasis Cathepsin C (dipeptidyl peptidase 1) inhibition in adults with bronchiectasis: AIRLEAF, a phase II randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study Five-Year Outcomes among U.S. Bronchiectasis and NTM Research Registry Patients Anxiety, depression, physical disease parameters and health-related quality of life in the BronchUK national bronchiectasis cohort To submit a journal club article of your own to Thorax, you can contact Chris directly – christopher.turnbull@ouh.nhs.uk To engage with Thorax, please use the social media channels (Twitter – @ThoraxBMJ; Facebook – Thorax.BMJ) and subscribe on your preferred platform, to get the latest episodes directly on your device each month. Key Learning Points Four recent papers (2 RCTs, 2 large cohorts) chosen to show both new therapeutics and real-world comorbidities/outcomes, pushing toward precision medicine. 1) ASPEN trial – brensocatib (DPP-1 inhibitor) Design: Phase 3, ~1,700 pts, 35 countries, 52 weeks; stratified randomization by region. Results: ↓ annualized exacerbation rate (~1.0 vs 1.3/yr; RR≈0.8), longer time to first exacerbation, ~10% absolute ↑ in “exacerbation-free” patients at 1 year, QoL improved, modest FEV1 decline difference (~40 mL/yr). Take: First targeted therapy with consistent benefit; effect on lung function small but directionally supportive. Gaps: Need long-term durability, adolescent data, and comparisons/positioning in pts with asthma/COPD overlap. 2) AIRLEAF (BI 1291583) – reversible cathepsin C inhibitor Design: Phase 2, 4 arms (3 doses + placebo), model-based dose–response analysis to optimize dose selection. Results: Overall dose–response signal; individual low-dose arms trended to fewer exacerbations but not statistically significant; skin events more common at higher doses. Take: Promising class targeting neutrophil pathway, but needs Phase 3 before clinical use. 3) U.S. Bronchiectasis & NTM Registry – 5-year outcomes Cohort: >2,600 CT-confirmed; ~59% with baseline NTM identified. Results: 5-yr mortality ~12%; no mortality difference with vs without NTM; predictors = lower baseline FEV1, older age, male sex, prior hospitalization. FEV1 decline ~38 mL/yr. Baseline NTM group had fewer exacerbations (counterintuitive). Interpretation cautions: Likely mix of colonization vs active disease; referral/management effects in specialized centers; registry strengths (size, real-world, longitudinal) vs pitfalls (confounding, data quality, causality). 4) Bronch-UK cohort – anxiety & depression Cohort: 1,340 adults; HADS screening. Prevalence: Anxiety ~33%, depression ~20%; many undiagnosed (≈26%/16%). Impact: Worse QoL, more severe disease; depression ~1.8× higher hospitalization risk and shorter time to severe exacerbation. Caveat: Association ≠ causation; sicker patients may have more mental health burden. Practical takeaways for clinic Consider brensocatib for appropriate non-CF bronchiectasis patients once accessible; frame benefits around fewer exacerbations and QoL, not big lung function gains. Do not introduce cathepsin C inhibitors outside trials yet; discuss as pipeline only. Risk stratify using FEV1, age, sex, and prior hospitalizations; expect ~40 mL/yr average FEV1 decline. Screen mental health routinely (HADS, PHQ-9, GAD-7). Build multidisciplinary pathways; consider brief CBT-style supports embedded in bronchiectasis clinics, with targeted referrals. Registry data ≠ RCTs: Use for counseling and service design, but avoid causal claims. Research/implementation gaps highlighted Long-term safety/efficacy and subgroup effects for brensocatib (adolescents, asthma/COPD overlap). Phase 3 confirmation for cathepsin C inhibition and dose selection. Granular NTM phenotyping (colonization vs disease) to reconcile paradoxical exacerbation signals. Scalable mental-health interventions integrated into respiratory clinics; trials to test impact on exacerbations/hospitalizations. Pro tip from the episode When appraising trials, check the CONSORT diagram for generalizability and look for stratification methods in multinational RCTs; in phase 2 programs, expect model-based dose–response designs that trade breadth for power.

After a brief hiatus, we are excited to be back today with another Fellows’ Case Files! Today we’re virtually visiting the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) to hear about a fascinating pulmonary presentation. There are some fantastic case images and key learning points. Take a listen and see if you can make the diagnosis along with us. As always, let us know your thoughts and definitely reach out if you have an interesting case you’d like to share. Meet Our Guests Dr. Vishwajit Hegde completed his internal medicine residency at University of Kansas Medical Center where he stayed for fellowship and is currently a second year Pulmonary and Critical Care medicine fellow.  Dr. Sahil Pandya is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Program Director of the PCCM Fellowship at KUMC. Case Presentation Imaging Infographic Key Learning Points 1) Initial frame & diagnostic mindset Young (26), subacute → chronic dyspnea/cough with diffuse pulmonary nodules; avoid premature closure on TB. Use a Bayesian approach: combine pre-test probability (epidemiology, exposures, tempo) with targeted tests to decide next steps. Always confirm TB when possible (micro/path + resistance testing); empiric RIPE may be reasonable but shouldn’t replace tissue when stakes are high. 2) Imaging pearls—nodular pattern recognition Ask three things: craniocaudal distribution, symmetry, central vs peripheral. Centrilobular (spares pleura/fissures): airway-centered (e.g., NTM, bronchiolitis, tree-in-bud). Perilymphatic (tracks fissures/pleura & septa): sarcoid, lymphangitic spread. Random/diffuse (involves pleural surfaces): hematogenous spread → think miliary TB, disseminated fungal, septic emboli, metastatic disease. Interval change matters: new cavitation and confluence can upweight infection or aggressive malignancy. 3) Neuro findings—ring-enhancing lesions Differential: septic emboli/abscess, nocardia, fungal, TB, parasites, metastases, vasculitis, sarcoid. Partner with neuroradiology for pattern nuances; treat seizures but keep searching for the unifying diagnosis. 4) Lab/serology strategy Broad infectious workup (AFB × multiple, fungal serologies), HIV and basic immune screen. Negative/indeterminate tests don’t end the search—revisit history (e.g., Ohio travel → histo/blasto risk). 5) “Tissue is the issue”—choosing the procedure For diffuse nodules with mediastinal adenopathy and stable patient: EBUS-TBNA + BAL, consider transbronchial or cryobiopsy. Cryobiopsy pros: larger, less crush artifact, better for molecular testing; cons: ↑ bleeding/pneumothorax vs forceps. VATS still best for certain ILD questions or if less invasive routes are non-diagnostic—but weigh patient preference and stage/likelihood of yield. 6) ROSE (rapid on-site evaluation) in bronchoscopy Confirms adequacy in real time, steers you away from necrotic zones, helps decide when you’ve got enough for molecular studies, and when to pivot sites—reduces anesthesia time and repeat procedures. 7) Final diagnosis & management Path: TTF-1+, CK7+, napsin A → pulmonary adenocarcinoma with a fusion driver. Therapy: Targeted TKI (crizotinib) → dramatic radiographic response of miliary lung disease and CNS lesions. Teaching point: even “miliary TB-like” lungs + CNS lesions in a 20-something can be driver-positive lung cancer—don’t let age or pattern blind you. References and Further Reading Desai, S., Devaraj, A., Lynch, D., & Sverzellati, N. (2020). Webb, Müller and Naidich’s high-resolution CT of the lung (6th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Rajeswaran, G., Becker, J. L., Michailidis, C., Pozniak, A. L., & Padley, S. P. G. (2006). The radiology of IRIS (immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome) in patients with mycobacterial tuberculosis and HIV co-infection: appearances in 11 patients. Clinical radiology, 61(10), 833-843 Poletti, V., Ravaglia, C., & Tomassetti, S. (2016). Transbronchial  cryobiopsy in diffuse parenchymal lung diseases. Current opinion in pulmonary medicine, 22(3), 289-296. Norman, G. R., Monteiro, S. D., Sherbino, J., Ilgen, J. S., Schmidt, H. G., & Mamede, S. (2017). The causes of errors in clinical reasoning: cognitive biases, knowledge deficits, and dual process thinking. Academic Medicine, 92(1), 23-30.

We are so excited to be launching a new series here at Pulm PEEPs! We’ll be talking about high yield topics in 15 minutes or less. In this series, Furf and Monty will tackle core points and provide an overview, key points, and further reading. We’re starting with a key point review of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Pneumonitis. Let us know if there are other topics you want to hear about! Key Learning Points Epidemiology & Pathophysiology Increasingly common as immunotherapy use grows in oncology. Caused by immune activation from PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4 inhibitors. Mechanisms: Overactive T cells Autoantibody production Cytokine-mediated inflammation (e.g., ↑IL-1, ↑IL-6) Clinical Suspicion & Diagnosis Any new respiratory symptoms in a patient currently or previously on ICI → consider ICI pneumonitis. CT findings are variable: can mimic organizing pneumonia, NSIP, ARDS, or diffuse ground glass opacities. Imaging pattern does not determine severity grade. Diagnosis is of exclusion — infection and malignancy progression must be ruled out first. Workup: Broad infectious evaluation (cultures, viral panel, fungal markers). Early bronchoscopy with BAL if feasible — typically lymphocyte-predominant in ICI pneumonitis. Screen for TB and hepatitis early (in case infliximab is needed). Severity Grading (Symptom- & O₂-based, not imaging-based) Grade 1: Asymptomatic → monitor, may hold ICI. Grade 2: Symptomatic but not hypoxic → prednisone 1 mg/kg/day PO. Grade 3–4: Hypoxemia or ICU-level care → methylprednisolone 1–2 mg/kg/day IV. Usually hold or permanently stop ICI. Steroid Management Typical taper: over 6 weeks for grade ≥3. Week 1: 1–2 mg/kg/day Gradual step-down to 0.25 mg/kg/day by week 5, then stop week 6. Chronic/recurrent cases may need slower tapers over months. Add GI prophylaxis and PJP prophylaxis during prolonged steroid use. If Steroids Fail (no improvement after 48–72 hrs) Consider adding: IVIG (2 g/kg over 5 days) Infliximab (TNF-α inhibitor — requires TB/hepatitis screening) Mycophenolate mofetil (1–1.5 g/day BID or TID, start at effective dose quickly) IVIG may have lower mortality in some series but comes with risks (volume overload, thrombosis, infusion reactions). Emerging Therapies JAK inhibitors are under investigation as possible future options. Multidisciplinary Care ICU management is a team sport — coordinate with oncology, critical care, infectious disease, and pharmacy.   Infographic   References and Further Reading Managing Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Pneumonitis in the ICU. Montemayor, Kristina et al.CHEST Critical Care, Volume 3, Issue 1, 100126 Lavalle S, Masiello E, Valerio MR, Aliprandi A, Scandurra G, Gebbia V, Sambataro D. Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy‑related pneumonitis: How, when and why to diagnose and manage (Review). Exp Ther Med. 2024 Jul 30;28(4):381. doi: 10.3892/etm.2024.12670. PMID: 39113908; PMCID: PMC11304171. Delaunay M, Prévot G, Collot S, Guilleminault L, Didier A, Mazières J. Management of pulmonary toxicity associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Eur Respir Rev. 2019 Nov 6;28(154):190012. doi: 10.1183/16000617.0012-2019. PMID: 31694838; PMCID: PMC9488507.

Today we’re talking about a topic that is relevant for all critical care physicians but under-examined: ICU Acquired Weakness. We are joined by two excellent guests to walk through a case and discuss the diagnosis, pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment of ICU Acquired Weakness. Check out our associated infographics and key learning points below. Meet Our Guests Jim Devanney is a Physiatrist who just completed a neurocritical care fellowship at BIDMC. He is transitioning to a clinical associate position at University Health Network – University of Toronto where he will be working as a PM&R consultant within the ICU. Kalaila Pais is a third year internal medicine resident at BIDMC, interested in pulmonary and critical care and medical education and is returning for her third Pulm PEEPs episode. Key Learning Points Definition & Clinical PresentationICU-AW refers to new-onset, generalized muscle weakness that arises during critical illness, not explained by other causes.It typically presents as:Symmetric, proximal > distal weaknessRespiratory muscle involvementPreserved cranial nerve functionNo sensory deficits in myopathy (sensory loss points toward neuropathy)Differential Diagnosis Using Neuroanatomical ApproachAn anatomical approach (central → peripheral) helps localize the etiology weaknessCNS: trauma, stroke, encephalitis, seizuresAnterior horn cells: viral myelitis, motor neuron diseasePeripheral nerves: Guillain-Barré, vasculitis, critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP)Neuromuscular junction: myasthenia gravis, botulism, Lamber EatonMuscle: rhabdomyolysis, inflammatory or drug-induced myopathies, critical illness myopathy (CIM)Subtypes of ICU-AWCritical Illness Myopathy (CIM):Muscle dysfunctionEarly onset (within 48 hrs)Sensation intactproximal > distal weaknessCritical Illness Polyneuropathy (CIP):Nerve involvementDistal > proximal weakness, sensory deficits Critical Illness Polyneuromyopathy (CIPNM): Combination of bothDiagnosisMedical Research Council Score (MRC-SS):Score < 48: ICU-AWScore < 36: severe ICU-AWHandgrip dynamometry: <11 kg (men), <7 kg (women)Electrophysiology: EMG/NCS to distinguish CIM vs CIPMuscle ultrasound: bedside monitoringMRI/CT/Muscle biopsy: rarely used due to practical limitationRisk FactorsModifiable:Hyper/hypoglycemiaElectrolyte derangementParenteral nutritionImmobilityMedications (steroids, NM blockers, sedatives, aminoglycosides)Non-modifiable:Age, female sex, comorbiditiesSeverity of illness, prolonged ventilationSepsis, multi-organ failure Management & PreventionPrevention is key:Early treatment of sepsis and inflammationGlycemic controlEarly enteral nutritionMinimize sedation (A-F bundle)Early mobilization and physical therapyNMES (neuromuscular electrical stimulation): emerging therapy, needs more evidenceOutcomesShort-term: increased LOS, ventilation duration, mortalityLong-term: decreased function, discharge to rehab, prolonged recoveryFinal TakeawaysPrevention is crucial — start interventions early.Systematic approach to ICU weakness helps rule out dangerous mimics.ICU-AW is common but often under-recognized — awareness and early rehab can significantly impact recovery. Infographics References and Further Reading Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Pain, Agitation/­Sedation, Delirium, Immobility, and Sleep Disruption in Adult Patients in the ICU. Devlin JW, Skrobik Y, Gélinas C, et al. Critical Care Medicine. 2018;46(9):e825-e873. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000003299. The ABCDEF Bundle: Science and Philosophy of How ICU Liberation Serves Patients and Families. Ely EW. Critical Care Medicine. 2017;45(2):321-330. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000002175. Caring for Critically Ill Patients With the ABCDEF Bundle: Results of the ICU Liberation Collaborative in Over 15,000 Adults. Pun BT, Balas MC, Barnes-Daly MA, et al. Critical Care Medicine. 2019;47(1):3-14. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000003482. Delirium in Critical Illness: Clinical Manifestations, Outcomes, and Management. Stollings JL, Kotfis K, Chanques G, et al. Intensive Care Medicine. 2021;47(10):1089-1103. doi:10.1007/s00134-021-06503-1. ICU-acquired Weakness. Vanhorebeek I, Latronico N, Van den Berghe G. Intensive Care Medicine. 2020;46(4):637-653. doi:10.1007/s00134-020-05944-4. Clinical Review: Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness. Hermans G, Van den Berghe G. Critical Care (London, England). 2015;19:274. doi:10.1186/s13054-015-0993-7. Best Practices for Conducting Interprofessional Team Rounds to Facilitate Performance of the ICU Liberation (ABCDEF) Bundle. Stollings JL, Devlin JW, Lin JC, et al. Critical Care Medicine. 2020;48(4):562-570. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000004197. ABCDE and ABCDEF Care Bundles: A Systematic Review of the Implementation Process in Intensive Care Units. Moraes FDS, Marengo LL, Moura MDG, et al. Medicine. 2022;101(25):e29499. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000029499.

Hi Pulm PEEPs! Today we have a special episode for you. Monty and Furf were invited on the Core IM Podcast to talk about the work up and management of pleural effusions. This is a great overview and we hope you enjoy listening as much as we did recording. If you want a deeper dive into pleural effusions check out our prior series: 36. Top Consults Series: Approach to Pleural Effusions   37. Top Consults: Approach to Parapneumonic Effusions 49. Top Consults: Malignant Pleural Effusions

Today, we’re virtually visiting the University of Virginia for another Fellows’ Case Files. This is a fantastic case that covers ARDS, the infectious work up of an immunosuppressed patient, and the evaluation of undifferentiated shock. Please let us know what you think of the episode and always feel free to reach out with interesting cases!   Meet Our Guests John Popovich completed his residency training and chief year at UVA and has stayed on there for his pulmonary and critical care fellowship. Tim Scialla is an associate professor of medicine at UVA. He completed his residency and fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital where he was also an ACS. His clinical and research focuses are advanced airways disease. He is also the program director of the PCCM fellowship. Matt Freedman completed his residency training at Virginia Commonwealth University and is currently a second year fellow at University of Virginia.   Case Presentation Patient: 52-year-old male with psoriasis, HIV/AIDS (CD4 count: 71), presenting with progressive shortness of breath, fever, non-productive cough, and weight loss. Vital signs: Febrile (103°F), tachycardic (HR 110), hypoxemic on 6L O₂ (SpO₂ 90–92%). Exam: Diffuse crackles, ill-appearing. Imaging: CXR and CT showed bilateral upper lobe infiltrates, ground-glass opacities, septal thickening, and peripheral cystic changes.   Infographics POCUS algorithms for investigating shock Shock physiology:   Key Learning Points Diagnostic Reasoning in Immunocompromised Hosts Framework: Anchor the differential based on type of immunosuppression. HIV/AIDS → T-cell dysfunction, affecting susceptibility to PCP, TB, CMV, fungi (e.g. histo/blasto), and common CAP organisms. PCP considerations: PCP can occur despite prophylaxis (e.g. Bactrim), especially if adherence or resistance issues exist. Classic symptoms in AIDS: acute, febrile, hypoxemic respiratory failure. Use of Serum Markers and Imaging LDH: Elevated in PCP, but non-specific. High negative predictive value when normal. 1,3-β-D-glucan: Elevated in PCP and other fungal infections. Very sensitive for PCP (up to 95%). Imaging: Ground-glass opacities with cystic changes support PCP diagnosis. Role of Bronchoscopy and Diagnostic Yield BAL studies to obtain: DFA for PCP (rapid, high specificity, lower sensitivity) PCR for PCP (higher sensitivity, slower turnaround) Cultures: bacterial, fungal, mycobacterial Cytology, galactomannan, histo/blasto urine antigens Bronch Risk-Benefit: Can change management in 40–60% of cases. Complication rate: ~10–15%, most often hypoxemia. Heuristic for pre-bronch ABG on non-rebreather: PaO₂ >150 → likely safe 100–150 → ~25% risk of intubation <100 → high risk of decompensation Steroids in PCP and Severe CAP Steroids indicated in PCP with significant hypoxemia (PaO₂ <70 mmHg). With new CAP guidelines (Cape Cod trial), steroids may also be considered in severe bacterial CAP. Shock Evaluation in ICU Framework: Simplify into likely causes — distributive most common, but rule out cardiogenic, obstructive, hypovolemic. Physical exam + POCUS essential early. POCUS: cardiac views, IVC, lung US, abdominal free fluid. Low EF doesn’t exclude distributive shock. PA catheter (Swan) utility: Useful when physiology unclear or when tracking response to therapy is critical. Swan data in this patient: low CVP and wedge, high SVR → distributive shock, not cardiogenic despite low EF.

Today is our third episode in our collaborative series with BMJ Thorax. Our mission at Pulm PEEPs is to disseminate and promote pulmonary and critical care education, and we highly value the importance of peer reviewed journals in this endeavor. Each month in BMJ Thorax, a journal club is published looking at high yield and impactful publications in pulmonary medicine. We will be putting out quarterly episodes in association with Thorax to discuss a journal club publication and synthesize four valuable papers. This week’s episode covers four articles related to obstructive sleep apnea therapies, and the use of non-invasive ventilation and high flow nasal cannula for intubation and COPD exacerbations. Meet Our Guests Chris Turnbull is an Associate Editor for Education at Thorax. He is an Honorary Researcher and Respiratory Medicine Consultant at Oxford University Hospitals. In addition to his role as Associate Editor for Education at BMJ Thorax, he is also a prominent researcher in sleep-related breathing disorders. Natalie McLeod is  a resident in respiratory medicine and is currently doing a clinical fellowship in sleep and ventilation at Oxford University Hospitals. Journal Club Papers Journal club article from Thorax Effect of CPAP therapy on blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: a worldwide individual patient data meta-analysis Hypoglossal nerve stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea in adults: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis Noninvasive Ventilation for Preoxygenation during Emergency Intubation Nasal high flow or noninvasive ventilation? navigating hypercapnic COPD exacerbation treatment: A randomized noninferiority clinical trial To submit a journal club article of your own to Thorax, you can contact Chris directly – christopher.turnbull@ouh.nhs.uk To engage with Thorax, please use the social media channels (Twitter – @ThoraxBMJ; Facebook – Thorax.BMJ) and subscribe on your preferred platform, to get the latest episodes directly on your device each month.

We’re back with another Rapid Fire Journal Club. Luke Hedrick and Dave Furfaro discuss the NAVIGATOR trial published in NEJM in 2021 evaluating tezepelumab for adults with asthma. Article and Reference We are talking today about the NAVIGATOR trial evaluating the use of tezepelumab in adults with asthma. Menzies-Gow A, Corren J, Bourdin A, Chupp G, Israel E, Wechsler ME, Brightling CE, Griffiths JM, Hellqvist Å, Bowen K, Kaur P, Almqvist G, Ponnarambil S, Colice G. Tezepelumab in Adults and Adolescents with Severe, Uncontrolled Asthma. N Engl J Med. 2021 May 13;384(19):1800-1809. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2034975. PMID: 33979488. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2034975 Key Learning Points Background & Rationale Asthma biologics already exist, targeting IgE and type 2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), but there’s an unmet need for patients with non-allergic or non-eosinophilic phenotypes. Tezepelumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting TSLP (thymic stromal lymphopoietin), an upstream mediator of both T2 and non-T2 inflammation, offering a potentially broader therapeutic effect.   Study Design (Navigator Trial) Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT Conducted in 18 countries from 2017-2020 N = 1,061 patients, aged 12-80 with moderate to severe asthma All were on medium/high-dose ICS + controller med Required ≥2 exacerbations in prior year   Outcomes Primary Outcome: Annualized rate of asthma exacerbations (events per patient-year) Secondary Outcomes: Change in pre-bronchodilator FEV₁ Symptoms & quality of life (with predefined MCIDs) Subgroup analyses by eosinophil count, FeNO, and perennial allergen sensitivity   Key Inclusion/Exclusion Inclusion: 12-80 years, guideline-based therapy, ≥2 exacerbations Exclusion: recent biologic use, mild/asymptomatic asthma, no reversibility on spirometry   Patient Population (Table 1 Summary) Middle-aged, predominantly white, female Poorly controlled severe asthma despite high-intensity therapy ~75% on high-dose ICS, ~10% on oral steroids ~40% had normal FeNO ~60% had eosinophils <300 Median IgE ~195    Results Efficacy: Annualized exacerbation rate: 0.93 (tezepelumab) vs. 2.1 (placebo) Rate ratio: 0.44, p<0.001 (very positive) In eosinophils <300 group: rate ratio 0.59, still effective FEV₁ improved by ~+0.25 L (vs. +0.09 L placebo), significant & sustained from week 2 onward Quality of life: statistically improved but did not meet MCID, so unclear clinical impact Severity of exacerbations reduced: fewer hospitalizations & ED visits in the treatment arm ~40% of treated patients still had some exacerbations → not a cure, but improves severity Safety: Very well tolerated 77% reported adverse events (more common in placebo) No anaphylaxis, no GBS, no cancer signal Most common AEs: URTI, headache, nasopharyngitis Injection site reactions: 3.6% Serious AEs were lower in drug arm than placebo   Overall Takeaway Tezepelumab significantly reduces asthma exacerbations (including in patients with low eosinophils), improves lung function, and is safe and well tolerated. Provides a broad-acting biologic option even for patients who may not be eligible for existing T2-high biologics. Now widely used as part of the asthma biologic armamentarium for poorly controlled asthma despite maximal inhaled therapy. Infographic:  

We are podcasting today directly from ATS 2025 in San Francisco! Every year, in collaboration with the ATS Critical Care Assembly, we highlight some of the scientific symposium programming from the conference. Today, Furf and Monty sit down with the three chairs of the scientific symposium entitled: Mechanical Ventilation of the Future: New Foundations For Ventilator Strategies. Meet Our Guests Juliana Ferreira is an Associate Professor at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil where she is also co-director of the pulmonary and critical care fellowship program. She is an MD, PhD, and a physician scientist with specific interests in mechanical ventilation and medical education. Finally, she serves ATS as the ATS MECOR Latin America Director. Bhakti Patel is an Assistant Professor Medicine at the University of Chicago. She is a dedicated researcher and educator. Her research focuses on non-invasive ventilator support. Akram Khan is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University. Akram is a pulmonary, critical care, and sleep provider with specific clinical interests in critical illness, pulmonary vascular disease and sleep apnea. Additionally, he is an accomplished translational science researcher.

We’re back with another edition of Fellows’ Case Files! Today, we’re virtually visiting Rutgers University, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School to work through a fascinating pulmonary case. Enjoy, and let us know your thoughts. Meet Our Guests Khalil El Gharib completed his residency training at Northwell at Staten Island University Hospital Program and is currently a first year fellow at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Sabiha Hussain completed her residency training at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and her fellowship training at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. She is currently a Professor of Medicine and the fellowship Program Director. Case Presentation Patient: 28-year-old male with Asperger’s syndrome and IgA nephropathy. Symptoms: 3-month history of progressive dry cough and dyspnea on exertion; later developed mild hemoptysis. Notable exposure: Questionable black mold in the patient’s apartment. Initial Workup and Diagnostic Reasoning Vital signs: Hypoxemia (SpO₂ 91% on room air). Exam: Inspiratory crackles. ABG findings: Elevated A–a gradient (~50), indicating a gas exchange problem. Chest X-ray: Bilateral, patchy infiltrates without specific lobar preference. Initial management: Discharged with empiric antibiotics for presumed multifocal pneumonia. Re-Presentation and Further Testing Symptoms worsened; now with blood-tinged sputum. Chest CT: Showed diffuse ground-glass opacities (GGOs) without fibrosis, consolidation, or lymphadenopathy. Imaging and Pathology Pathology images a courtesy to Dr Isago Jerrett, pathology resident at RWJMS Key Learning Points Diagnostic Framework for Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP) New classification: Based on fibrotic vs. non-fibrotic phenotype (not acute/chronic). CT features of HP: GGOs with lobular air trapping. “Three-density sign” (normal lung, low-density air-trapping, and ground-glass opacities). BAL: Typically shows lymphocytic predominance in chronic HP, neutrophilic in early stages. Serum IgG testing: Helps identify antigen exposure but doesn’t confirm disease alone. Lung biopsy (VATS): Revealed poorly formed granulomas and airway-centered inflammation—consistent with HP. Differential Diagnosis of Granulomatous Disease Infectious: TB, fungal (must rule out with stains/cultures). Non-infectious: Sarcoidosis, HP, granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Key pathology clues for HP: Loosely formed granulomas, airway inflammation, giant cells. Management and Outcome Primary treatment: Antigen avoidance (patient moved out of mold-exposed apartment). Adjunct therapy: Oral prednisone with a slow taper. Outcome: Symptomatic and radiographic improvement over six months. Teaching Pearls Always take a detailed environmental and occupational exposure history. Hypoxemia with an elevated A–a gradient in a young adult should trigger concern for interstitial/parenchymal lung disease. CT and history are often enough to diagnose HP—biopsy is reserved for uncertain cases. Remember evolving terminology: think fibrotic vs. non-fibrotic HP, not acute/chronic.

Today, we continue our review of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines on asthma. We’ve covered asthma diagnosis and phenotyping, and the initial approach to therapy. On today’s episode we’re talking about biologic therapies for asthma and will cover everything from when to consider starting them, which to choose, and what to monitor for after a patient is started. To help us with this exciting topic we’re joined by an expert in the field. We again have a great infographic prepared along with the episode, and a boards-style question for your review.   Meet Our Guest Megan Conroy is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at The Ohio State University, and is also the associate program director for curriculum and quality in the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship. Megan’s clinical area of expertise involves asthma and biologic therapies and she was recently recognized for her work in this area as the 2024 CHEST Airway Disorders Network Rising Star Award.  Meet Our Co-Hosts Rupali Sood  grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and made her way over to Baltimore for medical school at Johns Hopkins. She then completed her internal medicine residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital before returning back to Johns Hopkins, where she is currently a second year pulmonary and critical care medicine fellow alongside Tom. Rupali’s interests include interstitial lung disease, particularly as related to oncologic drugs. And she also loves bedside medical education. Tom Di Vitantonio  is originally from New Jersey and attended medical school at Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School in Newark. He then completed his internal medicine residency at Weill Cornell, where he also served as a chief resident. He currently is a second year pulmonary and critical care medicine fellow at Johns Hopkins, and he’s passionate about caring for critically ill patients, how we approach the management of pulmonary embolism, and also about medical education of trainees to help them be more confident and patient centered in the care they have going forward.   Key Learning Points   Boards Style Question       References: Mauer Y, Taliercio RM. Managing adult asthma: The 2019 GINA guidelines. Cleve Clin J Med. 2020 Aug 31;87(9):569-575. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.87a.19136. PMID: 32868307. Viswanathan RK, Busse WW. Biologic Therapy and Asthma. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2018 Feb;39(1):100-114. doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1606218. Epub 2018 Feb 10. PMID: 29427990. Brusselle GG, Koppelman GH. Biologic Therapies for Severe Asthma. N Engl J Med. 2022 Jan 13;386(2):157-171. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra2032506. PMID: 35020986.

In this episode, we add another article to our Rapid Fire Journal Club. Luke Hedrick and Dave Furfaro discuss the MIST 2 trial published in NEJM in 2011 evaluating enzymatic therapy for complex parapneumonic effusions and empyemas.   Article and Reference We are talking today about the MIST 2 trial evaluating the use of intrapleural tPa and DNase for intrapleural infections. Rahman NM, Maskell NA, West A, Teoh R, Arnold A, Mackinlay C, Peckham D, Davies CW, Ali N, Kinnear W, Bentley A, Kahan BC, Wrightson JM, Davies HE, Hooper CE, Lee YC, Hedley EL, Crosthwaite N, Choo L, Helm EJ, Gleeson FV, Nunn AJ, Davies RJ. Intrapleural use of tissue plasminogen activator and DNase in pleural infection. N Engl J Med. 2011 Aug 11;365(6):518-26. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1012740. PMID: 21830966. Key Learning Points     Background: Infections in the pleural space are common and morbid, often requiring surgical intervention. Unfortunately, antibiotics and chest tube drainage often fail. The MIST1 trial (NEJM, 2005) of intrapleural streptokinase showed no benefit. MIST2 studied intrapleural tPA and DNase to ease drainage by breaking down septations and thinning pleural fluid. Study Design (design, primary outcome, participants, etc) Design: Double-blind, double-dummy, 2×2 factorial RCT at 11 UK hospitals from 12/2005 to 11/2008 By double dummy, we mean that there was a sham placebo for each of the study drugs Primary Outcome Change in the percent of the hemithorax taken up by effusion on CXR at day 7 compared to day 1 Key secondary outcomes: Referral for surgery Hospital LOS All cause 3 month and 12 month mortality AEs Participants Inclusion: Clinical evidence of infection (assessed by recruiting MD; EG, fever, CRP, WBC) and Pleural fluid with any of: Grossly purulent Positive pleural fluid culture or gram stain pH < 7.2 Exclusion: aiming to exclude patients with increased bleeding risk or who can’t re-expand the lung after drainage Age < 18 Previous intrapleural fibrinolytics, DNase, or both for empyema Allergy to tPA or DNase Coincidental stroke (hemorrhage risk) Major hemorrhage or trauma Major surgery in the last 5 days Previous pneumonectomy on the infected side Pregnancy, lactation Expected survival < 3 months from something other than what caused the pleural problem Summary: Middle-aged, mostly male patients with complicated pleural effusion or empyema occupying 1/3 to 2/5 hemithorax with mostly small-bore CDs for mostly community-acquired infections Small-bore here meant < 15 Fr Intervention/Limitations N = 210 (193 analyzed) randomized approximately 1:1 to one of the following 4 arms: tPA/Dnase (10mg and 5mg) tPA and placebo DNase and placebo Double placebo Medications were given BID for 3 days with clamping of the CD for 1 hour after each dose (to keep the drug in the pleural space) Outcomes/Safety Power: with N = 210 (actual analysis = 193), 80% power to detect 1 in 5 more patients with a 50% reduction in pleural opacity on CXR We’ll discuss the outcomes of tPA/DNase in combination because there was a highly significant interaction between the two (P = 0.002) for the primary outcome Efficacy: Primary (pleural effusion size reduction): -29.5% hemithorax vs baseline and -7.9% effusion size vs placebo (P = 0.005) Neither drug worked on their own Secondary: Referral for surgery: 4% vs 16% (OR 0.17, P = 0.03) Hospital LOS (excluding 391d outlier in placebo group): mean 11.8 vs 17 days (P = 0.006) Mortality: no difference Safety: No difference in AE between groups 6 serious events across all groups, mostly related to bleeding (intra-pleural, GI, hemoptysis); other AE were made up of pain with drug administration, transient AMS, rash Takeaway Combination intrapleural enzyme therapy (IET) with tPA and DNase improves drainage of infected pleural fluid, and reduces need for surgery and hospital LOS Infographic  

We’re back with our second episode in our guideline initiative, and continuing our review of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines on asthma. In our first episode of this series, we talked about making the diagnosis of asthma, the importance of appropriate phenotyping, and doing an initial assessment of asthma severity. Today, we’re discussing the initial management of asthma and discussing but pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments. We have a great infographic prepared along with the episode, and a boards-style question for your review. Meet Our Co-Hosts Rupali Sood  grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and made her way over to Baltimore for medical school at Johns Hopkins. She then completed her internal medicine residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital before returning back to Johns Hopkins, where she is currently a second year pulmonary and critical care medicine fellow alongside Tom. Rupali’s interests include interstitial lung disease, particularly as related to oncologic drugs. And she also loves bedside medical education. Tom Di Vitantonio  is originally from New Jersey and attended medical school at Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School in Newark. He then completed his internal medicine residency at Weill Cornell, where he also served as a chief resident. He currently is a second year pulmonary and critical care medicine fellow at Johns Hopkins, and he’s passionate about caring for critically ill patients, how we approach the management of pulmonary embolism, and also about medical education of trainees to help them be more confident and patient centered in the care they have going forward. Key Learning Points Introduction to Asthma Guidelines The podcast continues a guideline series on asthma, focusing on the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2024 guidelines. Emphasizes practical applications for clinicians managing asthma in different settings. Importance of Evidence-Based Asthma Management Asthma treatment must be systematic and personalized, considering recent clinical evidence. Previous reliance on short-acting beta agonists (SABAs) as rescue inhalers has shifted towards inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-containing therapies. Over-reliance on SABAs is linked to increased exacerbations, airway inflammation, and poor long-term outcomes. Stepwise Approach to Asthma Management (GINA 2024) The Track 1 approach (preferred) centers around ICS-formoterol as both maintenance and reliever therapy (MART). Track 2 (alternative approach) includes daily ICS or ICS-LABA with a separate SABA as a reliever. Stepwise Therapy Step 1-2 (Mild asthma): Low-dose ICS-formoterol as needed for symptom relief. Step 3 (Moderate asthma): Low-dose maintenance ICS-formoterol (MART therapy). Step 4 (Persistent symptoms): Medium-dose ICS-formoterol (MART) with additional inhaler adjustments. Step 5 (Severe asthma): Consider biologic therapies, phenotyping, and additional controllers. MART Therapy as a Game-Changer Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART): Uses a single inhaler for both daily maintenance and symptom relief. Reduces overuse of SABAs. Provides real-time up-titration of ICS during exacerbations. Leads to better adherence and control. Supporting Evidence from Trials: SIGMA 1 & 2, Novel Start, Practical (2018-2019): Showed ICS-formoterol reduces exacerbations and steroid exposure compared to SABAs. MANDALA (2022): Showed ICS-SABA improves outcomes over SABA alone, though not a true MART study. Practical Considerations in Asthma Management Patient adherence is critical—educate on proper inhaler use and symptom monitoring. Insurance and cost barriers may require prescribing alternative inhalers. Review and adjust treatment regularly using the “Assess, Adjust, Review” framework. Avoid high-dose ICS without exploring additional controller therapies like LAMAs, leukotriene receptor antagonists (Montelukast), and azithromycin. Non-Pharmacologic Interventions Smoking cessation (including vaping/marijuana). Weight management and physical activity. Avoiding triggers (allergens, occupational exposures, pollution). Air purifiers and HEPA filters. Vaccinations (flu, COVID-19) to prevent viral exacerbations. Managing comorbidities (GERD, sleep apnea, anxiety/depression). Case Discussion & Real-World Application Patient with recurrent asthma symptoms post-viral illness. Started on low-dose ICS-formoterol as needed. Symptoms persisted, leading to maintenance ICS-formoterol (MART therapy). Regular follow-up to monitor and adjust therapy. Looking Ahead Next episode will focus on biologic therapies for severe asthma. Emphasis on ongoing education, practical application, and patient-centered care. Infographic   Boards Style Question       References Mauer Y, Taliercio RM. Managing adult asthma: The 2019 GINA guidelines. Cleve Clin J Med. 2020 Aug 31;87(9):569-575. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.87a.19136. PMID: 32868307. Matera MG, Rinaldi B, Annibale R, De Novellis V, Cazzola M. The pharmacological management of asthma in adults: 2023 update. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2024 Mar;25(4):383-393. doi: 10.1080/14656566.2024.2332627. Epub 2024 Mar 20. PMID: 38497368. Arismendi E, Ribo P, García A, Torrego A, Bobolea I, Casas-Saucedo R, Palomino R, Picado C, Muñoz-Cano R, Valero A. Asthma Control According to GINA 2023: Does Changing the Criteria Improve Asthma Control? J Clin Med. 2024 Nov 6;13(22):6646. doi: 10.3390/jcm13226646. PMID: 39597790; PMCID: PMC11594371. http://ginasthma.org/2023-gina-main-report/ https://www.uptodate.com/contents/an-overview-of-asthma-management-in-children-and-adults https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111%2Fresp.14782 Dubin S, Patak P, Jung D. Update on Asthma Management Guidelines. Mo Med. 2024 Sep-Oct;121(5):364-367. PMID: 39421468; PMCID: PMC11482852.  

Today we have a mini-episode / clinical pearl. We previously discussed the PROSEVA trial and the evidence for prone positioning in ARDS. In that trial, patients with elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) were excluded. We are joined now by Dr. Jon Rosenberg, a neuro intensivist, to discuss his how prone positioning can still be employed for patients with neurologic injuries and elevated ICP.   Meet Our Guest Dr. Jon Rosenberg is an assistant professor of neurology and neurosurgery at Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College. He’s also the associate program director of the Neurocritical Care Fellowship at Westchester Medical Center and a frequent contributor to the Neurocritical Care Society podcast.   Key Learning Points Elevated Intracranial Pressure (ICP) and Proning: A Common Misconception Elevated ICP is often considered a contraindication to proning, but this is more of a relative caution rather than an absolute contraindication. Many neuro ICUs have successfully proned patients with elevated ICP, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, when critical care units had to manage both respiratory failure and neurological conditions simultaneously. Patient Selection for Proning with Elevated ICP Most patients with elevated ICP can still be proned, including those with: Global cerebral edema (e.g., post-anoxic brain injury, liver failure) Focal lesions (e.g., traumatic brain injury, large ischemic strokes, intracerebral hemorrhage) Situations where proning might be more concerning: Severe hemodynamic instability (multi-pressor shock) Morbid obesity (e.g., >300 lbs), where physically flipping the patient is a major challenge Theoretical Concerns with Proning in Elevated ICP Loss of neurological exam access (sedation + flipped position makes pupil and motor exam difficult) Jugular venous compression (especially if the head is turned to one side) Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow obstruction, depending on the lesion Risk of increased ICP if venous outflow is impaired or head positioning is not optimized Best Practices for Proning Patients with Elevated ICP Patients with invasive ICP monitors vs. without monitors: If possible, placing an ICP monitor (EVD or parenchymal bolt) before proning provides better guidance. Without a monitor, providers must rely on other practices like maintaining strict MAP goals and sodium targets, and indirect signs of increased ICP. Positioning considerations: Keep the head midline to prevent jugular venous compression. If head positioning is not neutral, place the dominant/internal jugular facing upward to maintain venous drainage. Maintain the head of the bed elevated even while prone (reverse Trendelenburg positioning). Hemodynamic management: Target a higher MAP (e.g., 70–75 mmHg, sometimes 75–80 mmHg) to ensure adequate cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) if there is no ICP monitor Avoid hypotension, as MAP – ICP = CPP, and low MAP could critically reduce cerebral perfusion. A normal intracranial pressure is 7 – 15 mmHg The recommended CPP is between 60 – 70 mmHg Sedation & Sodium Management: Consider deep sedation (RASS -5) to reduce metabolic demand and intracranial blood volume. Consider keeping sodium >145 mmol/L prophylactically to mitigate brain swelling if no ICP monitor in place When to Reconsider Proning (i.e. when to supinate) If a patient’s ICP spikes significantly (e.g., from 20 to 60 mmHg) despite medical management (hypertonic saline, sedation, paralysis, etc.). If new signs of neurological deterioration emerge (e.g., changes in pupil exam once patient is repositioned). Hemodynamic instability that is unmanageable in the prone position. Literature and Future Considerations Small case series have demonstrated success in proning patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. While more formal research is needed, the neurocritical care community has begun embracing proning for neuro patients, provided that proper precautions are taken. Bottom Line Proning is not an absolute contraindication for patients with elevated ICP—it can be done safely with proper monitoring, patient selection, and precautions. Having an ICP monitor makes the process more controlled and allows clinicians to adjust treatment in real time. Key considerations: Maintain cerebral perfusion, optimize head positioning, monitor hemodynamics, and have a plan for reversing if ICP becomes unmanageable.  

On February 7, 2025 it was announced that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) would be capping indirect cost payments for research grants at 15%. This is a massive reduction from the current standard, and will have widespread impacts on research, healthcare delivery, and trainee and young faculty development throughout the United States. We have a special episode today to try to explain what this change really means, the broad impact it will have on the healthcare system and scientific research, and what we as a the healthcare community can / should be doing. Please feel free to reach out to us with any thoughts or questions from the episode.  Meet Our Guests Dr. Theodore “Jack” Iwashyna is a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Jack is a critical care physician and focuses on research to understand the broader context of critical illness, and the long term impact on patients’ lives. He is an enormously productive and successful researcher with numerous publications in the field of critical care, and is a pioneer in the field of ICU survivorship. He is a devoted mentor and has received accolades from numerous societies Dr. Kathryn Hibbert is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a pulmonary and critical care physician at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is the MICU Director at MGH, as well at the Vice Chair for Critical Care. Summary of Key Points Overview of NIH Funding NIH research funding is divided into direct costs (salaries, supplies, specific project expenses) and indirect costs (infrastructure, utilities, administrative support). Indirect costs support shared research resources like lab space, IT infrastructure, and institutional overhead. Recent Policy Change & Impact A sudden 15% cap on indirect cost reimbursement for NIH grants was announced late on a Friday, catching the academic community off guard. Many universities typically receive 50-60% in indirect cost reimbursements, making this a drastic cut. This change could severely affect research institutions by reducing available funding for shared infrastructure, education, and clinical care. Broader Ramifications Threat to Medical Research: Loss of funding for essential research infrastructure could slow or halt key medical advancements, such as cancer therapies, CF treatments, and more. Impact on Education & Clinical Care: Reduced research funding could lead to cuts in trainee programs, fewer job opportunities, and diminished support for clinical services, particularly those serving vulnerable populations. Economic Consequences: Academic medical centers are often major employers in states across the U.S. A reduction in funding could lead to job losses and economic downturns in affected regions. Political and Institutional Response Legal challenges were quickly filed, resulting in a temporary restraining order against the policy change. The administration’s actions were seen as an attack on academic freedom and scientific independence. The impact extends beyond select universities or states. States like Texas, Ohio, Florida, and Iowa stand to lose millions in research funding. Advice for Early-Career Researchers Continue applying for NIH grants as normal, following institutional guidance. Stay informed about evolving policies. Engage in advocacy—contact representatives, raise awareness, and contribute to public discussions. Call to Action The speakers urge medical professionals, researchers, and the public to share knowledge about what the impact of these changes would be, and prevent them from becoming permanent. They emphasize the critical role of NIH-funded research in improving healthcare outcomes worldwide and encourage continued engagement in the conversation. References and Further Reading https://www.al.com/news/2025/02/katie-britt-vows-to-work-with-rfk-jr-after-nih-funding-cuts-cause-concern-in-alabama.html https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2025/02/10/what-the-nih-cut-to-indirect-cost-payments-could-cost-red-states https://www.npr.org/2025/02/12/nx-s1-5292359/what-cuts-to-nih-funding-could-mean-for-american-universities https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/53759/transformation-american-health-insurance?srsltid=AfmBOoqvR5-TrqcsIC6ELO3AdZgjFWkIJ9jdlawJpyxJDus1cM–LxLr https://global.oup.com/academic/product/time-to-heal-9780195181364?cc=us&lang=en& https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html