In vitro study of the safety limits of bronchoscopic argon plasma coagulation in the presence of airway stents.

Objective And Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the safety limits of bronchoscopic argon plasma coagulation (APC) around indwelling airway stents.

Methodology: This is an experimental in vitro study simulating a patient-care environment. Uncovered and covered Nitinol (Ultraflex), uncovered and covered Wallstent and studded silicone stents were deployed in the tracheobronchial tree of a ventilated and oxygenated heart-lung block from an expired pig.

Graft versus host-associated pulmonary disease and other idiopathic pulmonary complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

Noninfectious conditions are now the major pulmonary causes of morbidity and mortality after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS) remains one of the more common and serious pulmonary complications within months after transplantation. Epidemiological data suggest that, although graft versus host disease (GVHD) reactions may play an etiological role, the major contributing factor is conditioning-related toxicity.

Virtual reality and written assessments are of potential value to determine knowledge and skill in flexible bronchoscopy.

Background: Technically challenging professions such as those of the defense and transportation industries increasingly use computer-based simulation and written self-learning instruments for education and to determine competency. A structured learning curriculum does not exist, however, for flexible bronchoscopy, a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure performed on thousands of patients by respiratory specialists, otolaryngologists, anesthesiologists, and surgeons worldwide.

Objective: To explore an analogous strategy of measuring theoretical knowledge in flexible bronchoscopy and specific technical skills using written knowledge assessments and a virtual reality bronchoscopy simulator.

Pulmonary complications of solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

The ability to successfully transplant solid organs and hematopoietic stem cells represents one of the landmark medical achievements of the twentieth century. Solid organ transplantation has emerged as the standard of care for select patients with severe vital organ dysfunction and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has become an important treatment option for patients with a wide spectrum of nonmalignant and malignant hematologic disorders, genetic disorders, and solid tumors. Although advances in surgical techniques, immunosuppressive management, and prophylaxis and treatment of infectious diseases have made long-term survival an achievable goal, transplant recipients remain at high risk for developing a myriad of serious and often life-threatening complications.