Kinni, Harish

Abstract Introduction E-cigarette use has risen dramatically in the past decade, accompanied by recognition of e-cigarette or vaping-use associated lung injury (EVALI). Although increasingly reported, the pathophysiology of EVALI remains poorly defined, and its clinical presentation and diagnostic evaluation are often nonspecific. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion given its varied manifestations. We describe a young patient with EVALI complicated by histopathologic evidence of secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP), progressing to severe hypoxemic respiratory failure that ultimately required bilateral lung transplantation. Case Presentation A 28-year-old man with a nine-year history of vaping nicotine and THC-containing hash oil presented with chronic hypoxemic respiratory failure requiring BiPAP. One year earlier, he developed digital clubbing, followed by progressive cough and exertional dyspnea. Initial chest CT showed diffuse centrilobular ground-glass opacities without septal thickening, thought to represent hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Despite vaping cessation several months prior to presentation, his symptoms progressed rapidly, and he required high-flow supplemental oxygen (Fi02 80% at 50 L/min) within weeks of admission. Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and biopsy demonstrated focal organizing pneumonia, pigmented foamy macrophages, and eosinophilic acellular debris within alveoli, consistent with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). Cultures and cytology were negative for infection or malignancy. Autoimmune serologies were unrevealing, and no alternative exposures were identified. Due to worsening hypoxemic respiratory failure and lack of response to vaping cessation, steroids, and nebulized sargramostim (recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor), he underwent bilateral lung transplantation. Whole lung lavage was considered but not pursued due to concern for further deterioration. Explant pathology showed interstitial fibrosis with a nonspecific interstitial pneumonia pattern and extensive PAP-like reaction with cholesterol clefts and small airway injury. Discussion EVALI encompasses a broad spectrum of radiographic and histopathologic findings, but secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is rarely reported. Diagnostic criteria include e-cigarette use within 90 days and pulmonary infiltrates or ground-glass opacities, with exclusion of malignant, autoimmune, and infectious causes. Although most often associated with ground-glass opacities and organizing pneumonia with diffuse alveolar damage, the pathology of EVALI is variable and poorly understood, further complicated by heterogeneity in vaping exposures. This case highlights PAP as a potential manifestation of EVALI, raising the possibility that impaired alveolar macrophage function and surfactant clearance contribute to hypoxemia in severe disease. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for EVALI and be aware of its diverse histopathologic spectrum. Continued research is needed to clarify underlying mechanisms and guide management. This abstract is funded by: None

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly becoming integral to clinical practice across many subspecialties. Its value in diagnostics and therapeutics has been validated across various disorders. It is becoming evident that the integration of POCUS in our intensive care units is becoming essential in early diagnostics and interventions that impacts patient outcomes. Therefore, we must train our next generation of intensivists, guided by several established recommendations from multiple societies. To achieve this task, we propose that at least four crucial elements, with full support from the institutional leadership, must be established. These include sufficient number of trained staff, a comprehensive curriculum, an educational platform, and a continuous professional development program. In establishing such a program, the potential harm of misinterpretation leading to mismanagement should be mitigated.

Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) has been a constantly evolving and growing tool utilized by emergency medicine and intensive care practitioners. Ultrasound use for the assessment and management of critically ill patients has been available for several decades with the focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) exam being one of the first widely adopted POCUS protocols. This along with other established protocols has made an impact on the care delivered to critically ill patients. This narrative review will cover some of the history of POCUS in the emergency department, brief considerations for machines and infrastructure, and current uses including in trauma, shock/hypotension, cardiac arrest, dyspnea, abdomen, vascular, and procedural guidance. Furthermore, it will provide a review of the evidence supporting its efficacy in managing critically ill patients and future directions.

Abstract Hypertensive emergencies cause substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly when acute organ injury is present. Careful and effective strategies to reduce blood pressure and diminish the effects of pressure-mediated injury are essential. While the selection of specific antihypertensive medications varies little across different forms of hypertensive emergencies, the intensity of blood pressure reduction to the target pressure differs substantially. Treatment hinges on balancing the positive effects of lowering blood pressure with the potential for negative effects of organ hypoperfusion in patients with altered autoregulatory mechanisms. When patients do not have acute organ injury in addition to severe hypertension, they benefit from a conservative, outpatient approach to blood pressure management. In all cases, long term control of blood pressure is paramount to prevent recurrent hypertensive emergencies and improve overall prognosis. This review discusses the current evidence and guidelines on the evaluation and management of hypertensive emergency.

Abstract Performing bedside procedures requires knowledge, reasoning, physical adeptness, and self-confidence; however, no consensus on a specific, comprehensive strategy for bedside procedure training and implementation is available. Bedside procedure training and credentialing processes across large institutions may vary among departments and specialties, leading to variable standards, creating an environment that lacks consistent accountability, and making quality improvement difficult. In this Scholarly Perspective, the authors describe a standardized bedside procedure training and certification process for graduate medical education with a common, institution-wide educational framework for teaching and assessing the following 7 important bedside procedures: paracentesis; thoracentesis; central venous catheterization; arterial catheterization; bladder catheterization or Foley catheterization; lumbar puncture; and nasogastric, orogastric, and nasoenteric tube placement. The proposed framework is a 4-stage process that includes 1 preparatory learning stage with simulation practice for knowledge acquisition and 3 clinical stages to guide learners from low-risk to high-risk practice and from high to low supervision. The pilot rollout took place at Henry Ford Hospital from December 2020 to July 2021 for 165 residents in the emergency medicine and/or internal medicine residency programs. The program was fully implemented institution-wide in July 2021. Assessment strategies encompass critical action checklists to confirm procedural understanding and a global rating scale to measure performance quality. A major aim of the bedside procedure training and certification was to standardize assessments so that physician trainers from multiple specialties could train, assess, and supervise any participating trainee, regardless of discipline. The authors list considerations revealed from the pilot rollout regarding electronic tracking systems and several benefits and implementation challenges to establishing institution-wide standards. The proposed framework was assembled by a multidisciplinary physician task force and will assist other institutions in adopting best approaches for training physicians in performing these critically important and difficult-to-perform procedures.