A Pilot Standardized Simulation-Based Mechanical Ventilation Curriculum Targeting Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Critical Care Medicine Fellows.

 The mastery of mechanical ventilation (MV) management is challenging, as it requires the integration of physiological and technological knowledge with critical thinking. Our aim was to create a standardized curriculum with assessment tools based on evidence-based practices to identify the skill deficit and improve knowledge in MV management.  For 3 years, 3 hours of standardized curriculum for each first-year pulmonary critical care medicine (PCCM) and critical care medicine (CCM) fellows was integrated into the orientation (chronologically): (1) a baseline knowledge pretest; (2) a 1-hour one-on-one case-based simulation session with debriefing.

Immunomodulatory indications of azithromycin in respiratory disease: a concise review for the clinician.

Azithromycin has a well-characterized bacteriostatic activity. However, it also has a robust immunomodulatory effect that has proven beneficial in a variety of chronic illnesses. This effect results in decreased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the acute phase and promotes resolution of chronic inflammation in the later phases.

Expiratory Snoring Predicts Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Patients with Sleep-disordered Breathing.

Rationale: Sleep-disordered breathing and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are two common conditions that may present concomitantly. The effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on the polysomnographic manifestation of sleep-disordered breathing have not been studied.

Objectives: We hypothesized that the presence of airflow obstruction could be predicted by the presence of expiratory upper airway narrowing during sleep in patients with sleep-disordered breathing.