A 28-Year-Old Man With Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath, and Hemoptysis After Recovery From Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pneumonia.

A 28-year-old man presented with shortness of breath, chest pain, and scant hemoptysis. Three weeks previously, he was admitted for coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia that had been diagnosed by nasal swab polymerase chain reaction. Chest CT imaging demonstrated bilateral ground-glass opacities without evidence of VTE.

Rapid development of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure due to large vessel intravascular microcrystalline cellulosis in an intravenous drug user.

Intravascular foreign body deposition in the form of talc or microcrystalline cellulose is an uncommon but increasing cause of pulmonary hypertension given the current opioid epidemic. Earlier cases describe the effect of talc introduced via intravenous injection of crushed pills when deposited throughout the lungs, typically in the capillaries or distal pulmonary arterioles. An angiogranulomatous reaction ensues with pulmonary vascular remodeling and the gradual development of pulmonary hypertension.

Communication at the End-of-Life in the Intensive Care Unit: A Review of Evidence-Based Best Practices.

This article summarizes current data and recommendations regarding the care of patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) at the end of life. Through analysis of recent literature and society guidelines, we identified three areas of focus for practitioners in order to deliver compassionate care to patients and their families at this critical time - family communication, caregiver support, and palliative care involvement. Attention to these topics during critical illness may reduce stress-related disorders in both patients and family members, as well as increase satisfaction with the care delivered.

A modified Montpellier protocol for intubating intensive care unit patients is associated with an increase in first-pass intubation success and fewer complications.

Background: The Montpellier protocol for intubating patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) is associated with a decrease in intubation-related complications. We sought to determine if implementation of a simplified version of the Montpellier protocol that removed selected components and allowed for a variety of pre-oxygenation modalities increased first-pass intubation success and reduced intubation-related complications.

Methods: A prospective pre/post-comparison of a modified Montpellier protocol in two medical and one medical/surgical/cardiac ICU within a hospital system.