A selection of publications with educational value in
Critical Care Medicine

Most recently added articles listed first


  • (Click image to enlarge)
    Artificial stone-associated silicosis in China: A prospective comparison with natural stone-associated silicosis Na Wu. Changjiang Xue. Shiwen Yu. Qiao Ye
    onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.13744 (May 2019)

    Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
    In a cohort of 81 patients presenting with silicosis to a single centre in China, artificial stone exposure is associated with shorter latency to disease onset, and more rapid radiologic progression and reduction in lung function, when compared with those exposed to natural stone. This paper further contributes to the data surrounding accelerated silicosis in workers exposed to artificial stone that has been noted in multiple countries in recent years.

    20190520

  • Figure 5 of 10.1111/resp. 13618
    (Click image to enlarge)
    Non-invasive screening using ventilatory gas analysis to distinguish between chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypertension Mina Akizuki, Koichiro Sugimura, Tatsuo Aoki, Takaaki Kakihana, Shunsuke Tatebe, Saori Yamamoto, Haruka Sato, Kimio Satoh, Hiroaki Shimokawa and Masahiro Kohzuki (DOI: 10.1111/resp.13618)
    onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.13618/full (Apr 2020)

    Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
    Differentiation of the causes of pulmonary hypertension has become more important with targeted treatments available that can change prognosis. This study demonstrates the potential utility of a simple non-invasive test to differentiate between PH and non-PH, and CTEPH and PAH. Further studies will be required to clarify test performance in other patient groups and to exclude confounders.

    20200330

  • Figure 3 of 10.1111/resp. 13681
    (Click image to enlarge)
    Inter-observer variation in image interpretation and the prognostic importance of non-expansile lung in malignant pleural effusion Geoffrey A Martin, Andrew C Kidd, Selina Tsim, Paul Halford, Anna Bibby, Nick A Maskell and Kevin G Blyth (DOI: 10.1111/resp.13681)
    onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.13681/full (Mar 2020)

    Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
    Non-expansile lung is considered a contraindication to talc slurry pleurodesis in malignant pleural effusion, however inter-observer agreement for diagnosing non-expansile lung on chest radiography is unknown. This study demonstrates poor correlation between experienced observers. Implications for study design and clinical treatment choices are considered.

    20200218

  • Table 4 of 10.1111/resp-13662
    (Click image to enlarge)
    Underuse of beta-blockers by patients with COPD and co-morbid acute coronary syndrome: A nationwide follow-up study in New Zealand Lianne Parkin, Joshua Quon, Katrina Sharples, David Barson and Jack Dummer (DOI: 10.1111/resp.13662)
    onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.13662/full (Feb 2020)

    Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
    In this nationwide study of 83425 patients with COPD, of whom 2637 had one or more acute coronary syndrome events during follow-up, low rates of beta-blocker prescription is found. This finding is especially pronounced in those with very severe COPD despite international guidelines recommending the use of beta-blockers in patients with coronary ischaemia and COPD.

    20200203

  • (Click image to enlarge)
    Development and validation of the COugh Assessment Test (COAT) Hyeon-Kyoung Koo, Ina Jeong, Joo-Hee Kim, Sung-Kyoung Kim, Jong-Wook Shin, So Young Park, Chin Kook Rhee, Eun Young Choi, Ji-Yong Moon, Yee Hyung Kim, Hyun Lee, Hye Seon Kang, Kyung Hoon Min, Jin Woo Kim, Je Hyeong Kim, Sang Haak Lee, Kwang Ha Yoo, Deog Kyeom Kim, Hyoung Kyu Yoon, Dong-Gyu Kim, Hui Jung Kim, Ki-Suck Jung, Seung Hun Jang on behalf of the Cough Study Group of the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
    onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.13462 (January 2019)

    Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
    A simple tool to measure chronic cough and its impact on daily life can be useful for ongoing outpatient or clinic assessment of patients with this condition. In this paper, the authors develop and validate a 5-point questionnaire that correlates well with other tools and demonstrates reliability and validity in a Republic of Korean population.

    20190521

  • (Click image to enlarge)
    Annual Southeast Asia haze increases respiratory admissions: A 2-year large single institution experience Chew R Ming, Andrea Ban Yu-Lin, Mohammad F Abdul Hamid, Mohd T Latiff, Nurashikin Mohammad and Tidi Hassan
    onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.13325 (Oct 2018)

    Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
    The authors review two years of data from their Malaysian hospital for correlation between respiratory admissions and local haze conditions. The findings demonstrate significantly increased rates of admission with respiratory symptoms during a haze, particularly in those with chronic lung or cardiac disease, and those with obesity. Length of stay and requirement for intensive care also increased in the haze periods.

    20180926

  • Table 1
    (Click image to enlarge)
    Unexpandable lung from pleural disease John T Huggins, Fabien Maldonado, Amit Chopra, Najib Rahman and Richard Light (DOI: 10.1111/resp. 13199)
    onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.13199/full (Feb 2018)

    Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
    This paper outlines the clinical and pathophysiologic features of the unexpandable lung. The authors demonstrate a clear distinction between chronic 'trapped lung' and the 'lung entrapment' that occurs in active pleural disease states such as malignancy or infection.

    20180126

  • Table 5
    (Click image to enlarge)
    Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration: Safe as it sounds: Preyas J Vaidya, Mohammed Munavvar, Joerg D Leuppi, Atul C Mehta & Prashant N Chhajed. (DOI: 10.1111/resp.13094)
    onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.13094/full (Aug 2017)

    Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
    EBUS-TBNA has rapidly become the standard of care for mediastinal and hilar lymph node sampling. This systematic review outlines the range and frequency of potential complications, as well as the possibility that these reports do not represent the full scale of adverse outcomes.

    20170820

  • (Click image to enlarge)
    Characteristics, incidence and outcome of patients admitted to intensive care because of pulmonary embolism Dario Winterton, Michael Bailey, David Pilcher, Giovanni Landoni & Rinaldo Bellomo DOI: 10.1111/resp.12881
    onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.12881/full (Feb 2017)

    Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
    This important study describes a large cohort of patients admitted with acute pulmonary embolism to Intensive Care Units across Australia and New Zealand. A subpopulation at very high risk of death is identified (those requiring mechanical ventilation). No improvement in mortality rate over time is seen.

    20170131

  • (Click image to enlarge)
    Prevalence and outcomes of diaphragmatic dysfunction assessed by ultrasound technology during acute exacerbation of COPD: A pilot study Federico Antenora, Riccardo Fantini, Andrea Iattoni, Ivana Castaniere, Antonia Sdanganelli, Francesco Livrieri, Roberto Tonelli, Stefano Zona, Marco Monelli, Enrico M Clini & Alessandro Marchioni DOI: 10.1111/resp.12916
    onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.12916/full (Feb 2017)

    Comment by Dr Mark Lavercombe:
    The indications for thoracic ultrasonography continue to expand, and this study suggests another indication. Diaphragmatic dysfunction found on ultrasound on admission in patients with acute hypercapnic exacerbations of COPD is identified as a risk factor for failure of NIV, duration of mechanical ventilation and short-term mortality. This non-invasive test might help clinicians identify patients at risk of failing standard care.

    20170131
  • Need for intensive care in patients admitted for asthma: Red flags from the social history. Moghaddas et al.
    onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.12831/full (Jun 2016)
    (Editorial: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.12870/abstract)

    20160915
  • Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure during a prolonged wildfire period and emergency department visits for asthma. Haikerwal et al.
    onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.12613/abstract (Sep 2015)
    (FREE access: Editor's Choice)

    20160819
  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of respiratory viral coinfections in children. Lim et al.
    onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/resp.12741/abstract (Feb 2016)

    20160819