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Introduction: Angioedema, a swelling of the subcutaneous or submucosal layers of the skin or gastrointestinal tract, is a potential complication to thrombolytic therapy in the treatment of acute ischemic strokes. In these cases, angioedema develops due to increased levels of bradykinin as a result of the activation of the fibrinolytic pathway and contact activation system. Angioedema can involve the tongue, larynx, and vocal cords, leading to occlusion of the airway and death due to asphyxiation. It is vital for the emergency physician to know that this complication can occur to ensure appropriate monitoring for development of angioedema.Case Report: We report the case of a 65-year-old Black man who presented with signs of an acute ischemic stroke and was treated with tenecteplase. The patient’s stroke symptoms mostly resolved within 90 minutes; however, he developed swelling of his right upper lip consistent with angioedema. The patient was treated with steroids and antihistamines. He was closely monitored and did not require airway intervention. The angioedema was almost fully resolved by the following day.Conclusion: Angioedema is a known complication of thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke. Risk factors for alteplase-associated angioedema include use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, female gender, diabetes, and infarcts of the insula and frontal cortex. As hospital systems switch from alteplase to tenecteplase for the treatment of acute ischemic strokes for reasons of cost and ease of administration, it is important to recognize that angioedema is also a potential complication of tenecteplase.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the leading cause of mortality and antimicrobial drug (AMD) use in weaned dairy heifers. Limited information is available regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in respiratory bacteria in this population. This study determined AMR gene presence in 326 respiratory isolates (Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica, and Histophilus somni) from weaned dairy heifers using whole genome sequencing. Concordance between AMR genotype and phenotype was determined. Twenty-six AMR genes for 8 broad classes of AMD were identified. The most prevalent, medically important AMD classes used in calf rearing, to which these genes predict AMR among study isolates were tetracycline (95%), aminoglycoside (94%), sulfonamide (94%), beta-lactam (77%), phenicol (50%), and macrolide (44%). The co-occurrence of AMR genes within an isolate was common; the largest cluster of gene co-occurrence encodes AMR to phenicol, macrolide, elfamycin, β-lactam (cephalosporin, penam cephamycin), aminoglycoside, tetracycline, and sulfonamide class AMD. Concordance between genotype and phenotype varied (Matthews Correlation Coefficient ranged from -0.57 to 1) by bacterial species, gene, and AMD tested, and was particularly poor for fluoroquinolones (no AMR genes detected) and ceftiofur (no phenotypic AMR classified while AMR genes present). These findings suggest a high genetic potential for AMR in weaned dairy heifers; preventing BRD and decreasing AMD reliance may be important in this population.

Cardiac catheterization remains the gold standard for the diagnosis and management of pediatric pulmonary hypertension (PH). There is lack of consensus regarding optimal anesthetic and airway regimen. This retrospective study describes the anesthetic/airway experience of our single center cohort of pediatric PH patients undergoing catheterization, in which obtaining hemodynamic data during spontaneous breathing is preferential. A total of 448 catheterizations were performed in 232 patients. Of the 379 cases that began with a natural airway, 274 (72%) completed the procedure without an invasive airway, 90 (24%) received a planned invasive airway, and 15 (4%) required an unplanned invasive airway. Median age was 3.4 years (interquartile range [IQR] 0.7-9.7); the majority were either Nice Classification Group 1 (48%) or Group 3 (42%). Vasoactive medications and cardiopulmonary resuscitation were required in 14 (3.7%) and eight (2.1%) cases, respectively; there was one death. Characteristics associated with use of an invasive airway included age

This study aimed to assess the availability, design, and contents of difficult airway trolleys in hospitals in Victoria, Australia. A survey audit was conducted with a 92.3% reply rate, and the responses from 22 major Victorian hospitals were analysed. The results showed that difficult airway trolleys were available in 100% of operating theatres, emergency departments and intensive care units, and the rate of standardisation was high. Compliance with recommended design features and resources was on average 68.3%. There was no significant difference in the compliance rate of major tertiary centres compared with other hospitals. The carriage of non-essential items was reduced compared with earlier audits. However, there was heterogeneity in the brands of supraglottic airway devices, videolaryngoscopes and cognitive aids used. The study highlights the need for ongoing improvement to the organization and content of difficult airway trolleys, and for further discussion regarding the safety of equipment variation across institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airway mucus plugs are frequently identified on CT scans of patients with COPD with a smoking history without mucus-related symptoms (ie, cough, phlegm [silent mucus plugs]). In patients with COPD, what are the risk and protective factors associated with silent airway mucus plugs? Are silent mucus plugs associated with functional, structural, and clinical measures of disease? We identified mucus plugs on chest CT scans of participants with COPD from the COPDGene study. The mucus plug score was defined as the number of pulmonary segments with mucus plugs, ranging from 0 to 18, and categorized into three groups (0, 1-2, and ≥ 3). We determined risk and protective factors for silent mucus plugs and the associations of silent mucus plugs with measures of disease severity using multivariable linear and logistic regression models. Of 4,363 participants with COPD, 1,739 had no cough or phlegm. Among the 1,739 participants, 627 (36%) had airway mucus plugs identified on CT scan. Risk factors of silent mucus plugs (compared with symptomatic mucus plugs) were older age (OR, 1.02), female sex (OR, 1.40), and Black race (OR, 1.93) (all P values <.01). Among those without cough or phlegm, silent mucus plugs (vs absence of mucus plugs) were associated with worse 6-min walk distance, worse resting arterial oxygen saturation, worse FEV 1 % predicted, greater emphysema, thicker airway walls, and higher odds of severe exacerbation in the past year in adjusted models. Mucus plugs are common in patients with COPD without mucus-related symptoms. Silent mucus plugs are associated with worse functional, structural, and clinical measures of disease. CT scan-identified mucus plugs can complement the evaluation of patients with COPD. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peri-intubation complications are important sequelae of airway management in the emergency department (ED). Our objective was to quantify the increased risk of complications with multiple attempts at emergency airway intubation in the ED. This is a secondary analysis of a prospectively collected multicenter registry (National Emergency Airway Registry) consisting of attempted ED intubations among subjects aged >14 years. The primary exposure variable was the number of intubation attempts. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of peri-intubation major complications within 15 min of intubation including hypotension, hypoxemia, vomiting, dysrhythmias, cardiac arrest, esophageal intubation, and failed airway with cricothyrotomy. We constructed multivariable logistic regression models to determine the associations between complications and the number of intubation attempts while controlling for measured pre-exposure variables. There were 19,071 intubations in the NEAR database, of which 15,079 met inclusion for this analysis. Of these, 13,459 were successfully intubated on the first attempt, 1,268 on the second attempt, 269 on the third attempt, 61 on the fourth attempt, and 22 on the fifth or more attempt. A complication occurred in 2,137 encounters (14 %). Major complications accompanied 1,968 encounters (13 %) whereas minor complications affected 315 encounters (2 %). The most common major complication was hypoxia. In our multivariable logistic regression model, odds ratios with 95 % confidence intervals for the occurrence of major complications for multiple attempts compared to first-pass success were 4.4 (3.6–5.3), 7.4 (5.0–10.7), 13.9 (5.6–34.3), and 9.3 (2.1–41.7) for attempts 2–5+ (reference attempt 1), respectively. We found an independent association between the number of intubation attempts among ED patients undergoing emergency airway intubation and the risk of complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Massive hemoptysis (MH) is a serious condition that carries with it a high rate of morbidity and mortality. This review highlights the pearls and pitfalls of massive hemoptysis, including presentation, diagnosis, and management in the emergency department (ED) based on current evidence. MH is a rare but deadly condition. It is defined clinically as any bleeding from the tracheobronchial tree that compromises respiratory or circulatory function. The bronchial artery system is the primary source in the majority of cases of MH. The most common cause is tuberculosis worldwide, but bronchiectasis, bronchogenic carcinoma, and mycetoma are more common causes in the U.S. Patients with MH require rapid assessment and management, as decompensation can be rapid. Patients with altered mental status, inability to clear their sections, respiratory distress, or hemodynamic compromise require emergent airway intervention. The imaging modality of choice is computed tomography angiography with pulmonary arterial phase contrast. A reasonable order or sequence of management includes initial stabilization; assessment for the need for airway intervention; reversal of any coagulopathy; advanced imaging; and emergent consultation of pulmonary, cardiothoracic surgery, and interventional radiology. Ongoing resuscitation including blood products may be required in some patients with MH until definitive hemostasis is achieved. An understanding of MH can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this dangerous disease. Providing a prompt evaluation, obtaining intravenous access, pursuing advanced imaging, providing reversal of coagulopathy, supporting hemodynamics, and appropriate consultation are key interventions in MH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airway management including endotracheal intubation (ETI) is a key skill for emergency clinicians. Therefore, it is important for emergency clinicians to be aware of the current evidence regarding the identification and management of patients requiring ETI. This paper evaluates key evidence-based updates concerning ETI for the emergency clinician. ETI is commonly performed in the emergency department (ED) setting but has many nuanced components. There are several tools that have been used to predict a difficult airway which incorporate anatomic and physiologic features. While helpful, these tools should not be used in isolation. Preoxygenation and apneic oxygenation are recommended to reduce the risk of desaturation and patient decompensation, particularly with noninvasive ventilation in critically ill patients. Induction and neuromuscular blocking medications should be tailored to the clinical scenario. Video laryngoscopy is superior to direct laryngoscopy among novice users, while both techniques are reasonable among more experienced clinicians. Recent literature suggests using a bougie during the first attempt. Point-of-care ultrasound is helpful for confirming correct placement and depth of the endotracheal tube. An understanding of literature updates can improve the ED care of patients requiring emergent intubation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airway management is a key intervention during the resuscitation of critically ill trauma patients. Emergency surgical airway (ESA) placement is taught as a backup option when endotracheal intubation (ETI) fails. We sought to (1) describe the incidence of the emergency department (ED) ESA, (2) compare ESA versus ETI-only recipients, and (3) determine which factors were associated with receipt of an ESA. We searched within the Trauma Quality Improvement Program datasets from 2017 to 2022 for all emergency department surgical airway placement and/or endotracheal intubations recipients. We compared ESA versus ETI-only recipients. From 2017 to 2022, there were 6,477,759 within the datasets, of which 238,128 met inclusion for this analysis. Within that, there were 236,292 ETIs, 2264 ESAs, with 428 (<1 %) having documentation of both. Of the ESAs performed, there were 82 documented in children <15 years of age with the youngest being 1 year of age. The ETI-only group had a lower proportion serious injuries to the head/neck (52 % versus 59 %), face (2 % versus 8 %), and skin (3 % versus 6 %). However, the ETI-only group had a higher proportion of serious injuries to the abdomen (15 % versus 9 %) and the extremities (19 % versus 12 %). Survival at 24-h was higher in the ETI-only group (83 % versus 76 %) as well as survival to discharge (70 % versus 67 %). In the subanaysis of children <15 years (n = 82), 34 % occurred in the 1–4 years age group, 35 % in the 5–9 years age group, and 30 % in the 10–14 years age group. In our multivariable logistic regression analysis, serious injuries to the head/neck (odds ratio [OR] 1.37, 95 % CI 1.23–1.54), face (OR 3.41, 2.83–4.11), thorax (OR 1.19, 1.06–1.33), and skin (OR 1.53, 1.15–2.05) were all associated with receipt of cricothyrotomy. Firearm (OR 3.62, 3.18–4.12), stabbing (2.85, 2.09–3.89), and other (OR 2.85, 2.09–3.89) were associated with receipt of ESA when using collision as the reference variable. ESA placement is a rarely performed procedure but frequently used as a primary airway intervention in this dataset. Penetrating mechanisms, and injuries to face were most associated with ESA placement. Our findings reinforce the need to maintain this critical airway skill for trauma management. • Emergency surgical airway (ESA) access is often used as a primary airway intervention. • ESA access is documented in children as young as 1 with similar survival to adults. • Serious injuries to the face, firearms, and stabbings are associated with receipt of ESA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can have many adverse effects on people's health, including cognitive decline and high blood pressure. Typical surgical treatment methods include the commonly performed uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and the highly successful maxillomandibular advancement (MMA). These surgical methods are more effective than non-surgical methods because they widen the airway where a collapse has occurred through direct treatment. However, few studies has shown that moving the upper and lower jaws in a specific manner is the most efficient way to treat OSA during an MMA surgery. In this study, the airway of an OSA patient was reproduced digitally, and computational fluid dynamics analysis was performed on various models with changed airway shapes, including the original model based on an actual CT image and three resizing models of the retropalatal (RP) and retroglossal (RG) regions of the airway. Consequently, it was possible to provide more quantitative predicted flow data, which could be helpful in performing sophisticated OSA surgery. Among the four airway models of the OSA patient, a reduction in the epiglottis regional pressure difference of up to 40.2% was evident in the model with an expanded RG region, and a reduction in the wall shear stress of up to 25.8% was confirmed. The proposed process could be an important aid for surgeons in determining the optimal surgical method suitable for an individual patient's uniquely-shaped airway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the utility of preprocedural paracetamol on reducing pain scores post office‐based laryngeal procedures. Study Design: Prospective, controlled before‐after comparative study. Setting: Controlled prospective before‐after study. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of 100 patients who underwent office‐based laryngeal procedures without preprocedural analgesia at our center to establish a control group. Age, sex, procedure type, and amount of substance used were documented as well as postprocedural pain score. Pain scores were recorded every 5 minutes for 30 minutes following office‐based laryngeal procedures. A prospective arm of this study was then performed in which every patient undergoing office‐based laryngeal procedures at our center between September 2019 and December 2020 was administered 1000 mg of paracetamol prior to their procedure. The postprocedure pain scores of the 2 groups were then compared. Results: A hundred patients were included in the retrospective arm and 75 patients were included in the prospective arm, receiving 1000 mg of paracetamol a median of 45 (interquartile range: 30‐53) minutes prior to their procedure. The 2 groups were matched for age, sex, and type of laryngeal procedure. Both nonanalgesia and analgesia groups demonstrated a similar proportion of patients who experienced any pain (47% and 48%, respectively) postprocedurally. The prospective arm of this study however reported a statistically significant reduction in the magnitude of their pain scores at all points postprocedurally (P =.005). Conclusion: Paracetamol preprocedurally reduces the severity of pain in office‐based laryngeal procedures and would be a useful consideration for patients who are likely to experience significant postprocedural pain. Level of Evidence: Level 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Methods Results Conclusions Different sedation regimens have been used to facilitate awake tracheal intubation, but the evidence has not been synthesised robustly, particularly with respect to clinically important outcomes. We conducted a systematic review and network meta‐analysis to determine the sedation techniques most likely to be associated with successful tracheal intubation, a shorter time to successful intubation and a lower risk of arterial oxygen desaturation.We searched for randomised controlled trials of patients undergoing awake tracheal intubation for any indication and reporting: overall tracheal intubation success rate; tracheal intubation time; incidence of arterial oxygen desaturation; and other related outcomes. We performed a frequentist network meta‐analysis for these outcomes if two or more sedation regimens were compared between included trials. We also performed a sensitivity analysis excluding trials with a high risk of bias.In total, 48 studies with 2837 patients comparing 33 different regimens were included. Comparing overall awake tracheal intubation success rates (38 studies, 2139 patients), there was no evidence suggesting that any individual sedation regimen was superior. Comparing times to successful tracheal intubation (1745 patients, 24 studies), any sedation strategy was superior to placebo. When we excluded trials with a high risk of bias, we found no evidence of a difference between any interventions for time to successful tracheal intubation. Thirty‐one studies (1753 patients) suggested that dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulphate were associated with a reduced risk of arterial oxygen desaturation compared with other interventions, but excluding trials with a high risk of bias suggested no relevant differences between interventions. The quality of evidence for each of our outcomes was low.To maximise effective and safe awake tracheal intubation, optimising oxygenation, topical airway anaesthesia and procedural performance may have more impact than any given sedation regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondria are essential organelles within cells, playing various roles in numerous cellular processes, including differentiation, growth, apoptosis, energy conversion, metabolism, and cellular immunity. The phenotypic variation of mitochondria is specific to different tissues and cell types, resulting in significant differences in their function, morphology, and molecular characteristics. Asthma is a chronic, complex, and heterogeneous airway disease influenced by external factors such as environmental pollutants and allergen exposure, as well as internal factors at the tissue, cellular, and genetic levels, including lung and airway structural cells, immune cells, granulocytes, and mast cells. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the specific responses of mitochondria to various external environmental stimuli and internal changes are crucial for elucidating the pathogenesis of asthma. Previous research on mitochondrial-targeted therapy for asthma has primarily focused on antioxidants. Consequently, it is necessary to summarize the multifaceted roles of mitochondria in the pathogenesis of asthma to discover additional strategies targeting mitochondria in this context. In this review, our goal is to describe the changes in mitochondrial function in response to various exposure factors across different cell types and other relevant factors in the context of asthma, utilizing a new mitochondrial terminology framework that encompasses cell-dependent mitochondrial characteristics, molecular features, mitochondrial activity, function, and behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some orthodontic devices used in children share similar design principles to appliances used to treat obstructive sleep apnoea in adults. As well as treating malocclusion, orthodontic appliances used in children may therefore also have effects on the upper airway. Objective: A review of the literature to assess the effects of orthodontic treatment on the upper airway dimensions in children assessed on CBCT. Materials and Methods: Following registration of the protocol (PROSPERO CRD42023439056), a systematic electronic search of published studies was performed using several databases (PubMed; Scopus, Web of Science and Science Direct) in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were as follows: age under 18 years, orthodontic treatment with any appliance, a control group who received no treatment or a non‐active alternative treatment and airway measurement using CBCT. RoB‐2 and ROBINS‐I tools were used to assess risk of bias and quality of the evidence. Results: In total, 341 studies were identified following the initial search. Title and abstract screening resulted in 45 studies for further full‐text analysis. On completion of the screening process, a total of 23 studies met the inclusion criteria. Study interventions included functional appliances (10 studies), rapid maxillary expansion (RME) (9 studies), reverse‐pull headgear (1 study) and 4 premolar dental extractions (3 studies). The included studies had moderate to high risk of bias, and the quality of evidence was low. Conclusion: The scientific evidence shows that functional appliances are associated with significant improvements in both upper airway volume and constriction when used in children however, the effects on the nasal cavity are limited. RME was associated with a significant increase in nasal cavity and nasopharyngeal dimensions, but not the upper pharyngeal airway. Neither reverse‐pull headgear nor dental extractions were associated with any change in airway dimensions; however, the evidence is limited. Functional appliances may reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of computed tomography (CT) for craniofacial measurements is common in medical imaging, but concerns about accuracy and reliability persist, especially with different CT technologies. This study assessed the accuracy of twenty-six common measurements on consecutive CT images from the same patients, using multidetector CT (MDCT) and cone-beam CT (CBCT) with two software programs (Amira and Dolphin). Ten adult subjects with consecutive CBCT scans within one year were randomly selected. Another ten subjects with consecutive MDCT scans were paired with the CBCT group based on age, gender, race, occlusion, and craniofacial pattern. All digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) files were randomly coded and analyzed using the two software programs. Intra-examiner reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Successive measurement errors from consecutive scans for both imaging modalities and software programs were compared. For most skeletal linear and angular measurements, Dolphin showed greater successive measurement errors compared to Amira. Eight of the 26 common measurements had errors greater than one unit (millimeter or degree). Despite almost perfect intra-examiner reliability for upper airway analysis, average successive measurement errors were notably high, particularly for intraoral and oropharyngeal airway volumes. The successive Dolphin measurement error for oropharyngeal airway volume on CBCT images was over three times that on MDCT images. Given the substantial successive measurement errors observed during consecutive CT scanning for the upper airway, this study does not support the quantitative use of CT for analyzing changes in airway dimensions for research purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the disproportionate amount of time that people spend indoors and the complexities of air pollutant exposures found there, indoor air pollution is a growing concern for airway health. Both infiltration of outdoor air pollution into the indoor space and indoor sources (such as smoke from tobacco products, cooking or heating practices and combustion of associated fuels, and household materials) contribute to unique exposure mixtures. Although there is substantial literature on the chemistry of indoor air pollution, research focused on health effects is only beginning to emerge and remains an important area of need to protect public health. We provide a review of emerging literature spanning the past 3 years and relating indoor air exposures to airway health, with a specific focus on the impact of either individual pollutant exposures or common combustion sources on the lower airways. Factors defining susceptibility and/or vulnerability are reviewed with consideration for priority populations and modifiable risk factors that may be targeted to advance health equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Improvement is needed in the remedies used to control Th2 polarization. Bioengineering approaches have modified immune cells that have immunosuppressive functions. This study aims to generate modified eosinophils (Meos) in vivo and use Meos to balance Th2 polarization and reduce airway allergy. Methods: A cell editor was constructed. The editor contained a peptide carrier, an anti-siglec F antibody, MHC II, ovalbumin, and LgDNA (DNA extracted from a probiotic, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG). Which was designated as Cedit. Meos are eosinophils modified using Cedits. An airway Th2 polarization mouse model was established used to test the effect of Meos on suppressing airway allergy. Results: The Cedits remained physically and chemically stable in solution (pH7.2) for at least 96 h. Cedits specifically bound to eosinophils, which are designated as Meos. Meos produced programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1); the latter induced antigen specific CD4+ T cell apoptosis. Administration of Cedits through nasal instillations generated Meos in vivo, which significantly reduced the frequency of antigen specific CD4+ T cells in the airways, and mitigated airway Th2 polarization. Conclusions: We constructed Cedit, which could edit eosinophils into Meos in vivo. Meos could induce antigen specific CD4+ T cell apoptosis, and reconcile airway Th2 polarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective treatment and immunoprophylaxis of viral respiratory infections with neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) require maintaining inhibitory concentrations of mAbs at the airway surface. While engineered mAbs with increased affinity to the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) are increasingly employed, little is known how increased affinity of Fc to FcRn influences basal-to-apical transepithelial transport (transcytosis) of mAbs across the airway epithelium. To investigate this, we utilized a model of well-differentiated human airway epithelium (WD-HAE) that exhibited robust FcRn expression, and measured the transepithelial transport of a mAb against SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein (CR3022) with either wildtype IgG1-Fc or Fc modified with YTE or LS mutations known to increase affinity for FcRn. Despite the marked differences in the affinity of these CR3022 variants for FcRn, we did not find substantial differences in basal-toapical transport reflective of systemic dosing, or apical-to-basal transport reflective of inhaled dosing, compared to the transport of wildtype IgG1-Fc. These results suggest increasing FcRn affinity may only have limited influence over transcytosis rates of systemically dosed mAbs across the human airway epithelium over short time scales. Over longer time scales, the elevated circulating levels of mAbs with greater FcRn affinity, due to more effective FcRn-mediated recycling, may better resupply mAb into the respiratory tract, leading to more effective extended immunoprophylaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to develop a deep learning model to predict skeletal malocclusions with an acceptable level of accuracy using airway and cephalometric landmark values obtained from analyzing different CBCT images. Background: In orthodontics, multitudinous studies have reported the correlation between orthodontic treatment and changes in the anatomy as well as the functioning of the airway. Typically, the values obtained from various measurements of cephalometric landmarks are used to determine skeletal class based on the interpretation an orthodontist experiences, which sometimes may not be accurate. Methods: Samples of skeletal anatomical data were retrospectively obtained and recorded in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) file format. The DICOM files were used to reconstruct 3D models using 3DSlicer (slicer.org) by thresholding airway regions to build up 3D polygon models of airway regions for each sample. The 3D models were measured for different landmarks that included measurements across the nasopharynx, the oropharynx, and the hypopharynx. Male and female subjects were combined as one data set to develop supervised learning models. These measurements were utilized to build 7 artificial intelligence-based supervised learning models. Results: The supervised learning model with the best accuracy was Random Forest, with a value of 0.74. All the other models were lower in terms of their accuracy. The recall scores for Class I, II, and III malocclusions were 0.71, 0.69, and 0.77, respectively, which represented the total number of actual positive cases predicted correctly, making the sensitivity of the model high. Conclusion: In this study, it is observed that the Random Forest model was the most accurate model for predicting the skeletal malocclusion based on various airway and cephalometric landmarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Our aim was to investigate the diagnostic challenges and management of relapsing polychondritis (RP) with airway involvement, highlighting the need for accurate diagnosis and effective intervention to prevent severe complications. Methods: In this retrospective study, medical records from January 2011 through June 2024 at a single tertiary-care institution were reviewed. This study was approved by the institutional review board. A total of 34 patients were diagnosed with RP, among whom 4 presented with significant airway complications. This study focused on these four patients, detailing their clinical presentations, diagnostic processes, and outcomes following various interventions. Results: All patients were initially misdiagnosed with asthma and later developed severe airway issues necessitating interventions such as tracheotomy and endotracheal intubation. Diagnostic imaging, microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy (MLB) were crucial for identifying subglottic stenosis and other airway alterations. Treatments included high-dose steroids, rituximab, and surgical interventions such as balloon dilation and tracheostomy. Only one patient could be decannulated; the other three remained dependent on tracheostomy and experienced significant complications due to emergency medical interventions. Conclusions: RP can manifest with nonspecific respiratory symptoms similar to asthma, which may delay correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment, leading to critical airway complications. The early, precise identification of RP, particularly with airway involvement, is vital. MLB and dynamic expiratory CT scans play significant roles in clinical diagnosis and management. A multidisciplinary approach involving otolaryngologists, rheumatologists, and pulmonologists is essential for optimizing patient outcomes and minimizing complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the correlation between dentoskeletal parameters related to craniofacial morphology and the upper airway (UA) volume. Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography images of 106 randomly selected orthodontic patients were analyzed using NemoFab Ortho software. The dentoskeletal variables assessed were anterior facial height (AFH), posterior facial height (PFH), PFH/AFH ratio, hyoid position, maxillary width (MW), and palatal depth. The UA volume (evaluation in anatomical regions and as a whole) was also assessed using the same software. We also evaluated potential differences in UA variables between age and sex groups. The correlation between the dentoskeletal parameters and UA volume was calculated using the Pearson correlation coefficient (R). Analysis of variance and Student's t test were performed to assess differences between age and sex for UA variables. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software (version 26 for Windows). Results: This study found that PFH, AFH, and MW were the dentoskeletal parameters most strongly correlated with UA volume. However, the ANB angle did not show any significant correlation with UA volume. Additionally, differences in UA volumes were observed between age groups. Sex differences were found in both the "8-12" and "≥ 16" age groups for oropharyngeal and pharyngeal volumes. Conclusions: In conclusion, our findings indicate a significant correlation between UA volume and dentoskeletal parameters, particularly those related to facial height and MW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Expert airway management is an essential skill for pulmonary and critical care fellows. Providing high-quality real-time feedback to trainees performing emergent intubations is often limited because of the acuity of the situation and the lack of full airway visualization by the supervising provider. Objective: We sought to improve the quality of airway management education in a pulmonary and critical care fellowship training program by recording all emergent intubations and systematically reviewing select videos at a regularly scheduled airway management conference. Methods: We introduced several modifications to our airway training curriculum, including the recording of all fellow-performed emergent tracheal intubations along with a regularly scheduled conference in which selected videos recordings were systematically reviewed. Surveys completed by trainees before and after the redesign of the curriculum were used to determine the efficacy of the individual curriculum modifications. Paired Student's t tests, χ2 tests, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis. A P value lower than 0.05 was considered significant in all analyses. Results: After completion of the redesigned curriculum, trainees (100% response rate) demonstrated improved technical knowledge (P < 0.04) and procedural confidence (P < 0.04) with regard to airway management. Of the modifications incorporated into the curriculum redesign, fellows ranked the video-recorded intubation review conference as the most beneficial (P = 0.001) of the educational interventions. Conclusion: Recording of trainee-performed intubations and subsequent review of these videos using a standardized rubric was a highly valued modification to our fellowship airway training curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major head and neck surgery poses a threat to perioperative airway patency. Adverse airway events are associated with significant morbidity, potentially leading to hypoxic brain injury and even death. Following a review of the literature, recommendations regarding airway management in head and neck surgery were developed with multicenter, multidisciplinary agreement among all Irish head and neck units. Immediate extubation is appropriate in many cases where there is a low risk of adverse airway events. Where a prolonged definitive airway is required, elective tracheostomy provides increased airway security postoperatively while delayed extubation may be appropriate in select cases to reduce postoperative morbidity. Local institutional protocols should be developed to care for a tracheostomy once inserted. We provide guidance on decision making surrounding airway management at time of head and neck surgery. All decisions should be agreed between the operating, anesthetic, and critical care teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary function testing is critical to the diagnosis of equine asthma (EA), an important cause of respiratory disease in the horse, but its clinical use has remained elusive, unfortunately, due to the complexity of reference methods, esophageal balloon/pneumotachography (EBP), and forced oscillatory mechanics (FOM), so we sought a noninvasive, portable method for use in horses through rapid interruption of airflow for equilibration of alveolar pressure with proximal airway pressure, termed flow interruption (FI). Resistance (RINT) was computed as the relationship between the change in pressure at the nose before and immediately after interruption and flow immediately before interruption. A pilot study in five healthy university-owned animals using EBP and FI showed good correspondence between the two methods: RINT (0.33 ± 0.05 cmH2O/L/s) and RL (0.31 ± 0.06 cmH2O/L/s). In two separate populations of client-owned horses, with random assignment of methods to FI versus EBP (n = 8), RINT showed good correlation with RL in horses (rs = 0.995, P = 0.0002) and accords with RL, with no significant difference between RINT and RL. Using FOM (n = 12), RINT (0.67 ± 0.31 cmH2O/L/s) has good correlation with RRS measured with FOM (r = 0.834, P = 0.0001), but is consistently smaller than RRS (0.74 ± 0.33 cmH2O/L/s). Histamine bronchoprovocation (HBP) was performed in a subset of these horses: FI classified one horse in six as less reactive than did EBP, and FI classified one horse in seven as less reactive than did FOM. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: We developed and document for the first time the use of flow interruption for the rapid and noninvasive measurement of resistance in equine patients and demonstrated short- and long-term stability and accuracy in comparison with the reference methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/purpose: The use of computed tomography (CT) for craniofacial measurements is common in medical imaging, but concerns about accuracy and reliability persist, especially with different CT technologies. This study assessed the accuracy of twenty-six common measurements on consecutive CT images from the same patients, using multidetector CT (MDCT) and cone-beam CT (CBCT) with two software programs (Amira and Dolphin). Materials and methods: Ten adult subjects with consecutive CBCT scans within one year were randomly selected. Another ten subjects with consecutive MDCT scans were paired with the CBCT group based on age, gender, race, occlusion, and craniofacial pattern. All digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) files were randomly coded and analyzed using the two software programs. Intra-examiner reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Successive measurement errors from consecutive scans for both imaging modalities and software programs were compared. Results: For most skeletal linear and angular measurements, Dolphin showed greater successive measurement errors compared to Amira. Eight of the 26 common measurements had errors greater than one unit (millimeter or degree). Despite almost perfect intra-examiner reliability for upper airway analysis, average successive measurement errors were notably high, particularly for intraoral and oropharyngeal airway volumes. The successive Dolphin measurement error for oropharyngeal airway volume on CBCT images was over three times that on MDCT images. Conclusion: Given the substantial successive measurement errors observed during consecutive CT scanning for the upper airway, this study does not support the quantitative use of CT for analyzing changes in airway dimensions for research purposes.

AIM: The aim is to study the demographics and management of unusual airway foreign bodies (UAFBs) in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study (2000–2020) of children with UAFBs, who underwent bronchoscopic removal. The demographics, types of foreign bodies, clinical and radiological features, management, and outcomes were collated and analyzed. Common foreign bodies, such as nuts, seeds, and vegetable aspirations, were excluded. Results: Among 531 children who had bronchoscopic retrieval of airway foreign bodies, 74 (59 males/15 females) had unusual foreign bodies. These included pen caps, whistles, plastic objects, pins, coal piece, stones, clay, pencil, gold ornament, and glass bangle. Thirty-one children presented within 1 day of aspiration, 37 within 1 month and 6 till 6 months. Thirty-nine were below 5 years, and the rest were between 5 and 15 years. Cough, respiratory distress, fever, choking, and noisy breathing were common presentations. Others are stridor, whistling, cyanosis, loss, and change of voice. Chest X-ray showed ipsilateral hyperinflation (23), haziness (21), radio-opaque foreign body (17) and was normal in 14. The left main bronchus, followed by the right main bronchus and trachea, were the sites of impaction. Four children required additional procedures (tracheotomy and thoracotomy). There was one mortality in the study cohort. Conclusion: Aspiration of unusual foreign bodies is not uncommon in children. Most aspirations are witnessed and predominant in boys. The left bronchus is the common site of impaction, and X-ray clinches the diagnosis. Presentation is delayed, and bronchoscopic retrieval, though challenging, has favorable outcome.

Abstract Background Improvement is needed in the remedies used to control Th2 polarization. Bioengineering approaches have modified immune cells that have immunosuppressive functions. This study aims to generate modified eosinophils (Meos) in vivo and use Meos to balance Th2 polarization and reduce airway allergy. Methods A cell editor was constructed. The editor contained a peptide carrier, an anti-siglec F antibody, MHC II, ovalbumin, and LgDNA (DNA extracted from a probiotic, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG). Which was designated as Cedit. Meos are eosinophils modified using Cedits. An airway Th2 polarization mouse model was established used to test the effect of Meos on suppressing airway allergy. Results The Cedits remained physically and chemically stable in solution (pH7.2) for at least 96 h. Cedits specifically bound to eosinophils, which are designated as Meos. Meos produced programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1); the latter induced antigen specific CD4+ T cell apoptosis. Administration of Cedits through nasal instillations generated Meos in vivo, which significantly reduced the frequency of antigen specific CD4+ T cells in the airways, and mitigated airway Th2 polarization. Conclusions We constructed Cedit, which could edit eosinophils into Meos in vivo. Meos could induce antigen specific CD4+ T cell apoptosis, and reconcile airway Th2 polarization.

Abstract Objective This study aimed to develop a deep learning model to predict skeletal malocclusions with an acceptable level of accuracy using airway and cephalometric landmark values obtained from analyzing different CBCT images. Background In orthodontics, multitudinous studies have reported the correlation between orthodontic treatment and changes in the anatomy as well as the functioning of the airway. Typically, the values obtained from various measurements of cephalometric landmarks are used to determine skeletal class based on the interpretation an orthodontist experiences, which sometimes may not be accurate. Methods Samples of skeletal anatomical data were retrospectively obtained and recorded in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) file format. The DICOM files were used to reconstruct 3D models using 3DSlicer (slicer.org) by thresholding airway regions to build up 3D polygon models of airway regions for each sample. The 3D models were measured for different landmarks that included measurements across the nasopharynx, the oropharynx, and the hypopharynx. Male and female subjects were combined as one data set to develop supervised learning models. These measurements were utilized to build 7 artificial intelligence-based supervised learning models. Results The supervised learning model with the best accuracy was Random Forest, with a value of 0.74. All the other models were lower in terms of their accuracy. The recall scores for Class I, II, and III malocclusions were 0.71, 0.69, and 0.77, respectively, which represented the total number of actual positive cases predicted correctly, making the sensitivity of the model high. Conclusion In this study, it is observed that the Random Forest model was the most accurate model for predicting the skeletal malocclusion based on various airway and cephalometric landmarks.

Introduction: Maxillary hypoplasia is a common finding secondary to cleft lip and palate. The resultant Class III skeletal pattern worsens during adolescence due to unaffected mandibular growth. Bone-anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) involves the intraoral use of orthopedic Class III intermaxillary elastics by means of skeletal anchorage to the zygoma and anterior mandible bilaterally. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the facial esthetic and functional effects of 1-year of BAMP therapy in growing cleft individuals. Subjects and Methods: Eighteen subjects (mean age: 11.9 years) with cleft maxillary hypoplasia were selected for BAMP. Cephalometric facial assessment of 26 parameters (by an orthodontist), perceptual and lateral videofluoroscopic instrumental speech analyses (by a speech-language pathologist), and clinical temporomandibular joint (TMJ) evaluation were performed before (T1) and after 12 months of BAMP therapy (T2). Paired t-test and Pearson’s Chi-squared test were used for the statistical analyses of the quantitative and qualitative variables, respectively. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to assess the associations between cephalometric parameters. Results: Twenty cephalometric variables showed significant change from T1 to T2 toward positive dentoskeletal and soft-tissue Class III facial correction. The mean increase in “SNA” was 3.03°, and maxillary length (“Ptm-A”) and sagittal maxillary position (“N-perp to A”) increments were 3.65 mm and 4.02 mm, respectively. The mean improvement in the dental overjet was 3.86 mm. Backward positioning of the mandible was noted with a mean reduction of “SNB” and “N-perp to Pog” by 1.38° and 1.16 mm, respectively, with a mean 3.8° closure of the gonial angle. The airway changes were insignificant. Speech and TMJ observations remained constant from T1 to T2. Conclusions: BAMP therapy in cleft patients exhibited significant orthopedic maxillary protraction with effective sagittal and vertical mandibular growth control. The positive esthetic effects of BAMP did not have any negative influence over the functions of airway, velopharyngeal (speech) mechanism, and the TMJ in the stipulated 12-month period.

Abstract Coffin-Lowry Syndrome (CLS) is a rare X-linked genetic disorder characterized by growth delays, facial dysmorphisms, and intellectual disabilities. Currently, there are limited published case reports regarding the anesthetic management of patients with CLS. Managing anesthesia for CLS patients can be complex due to difficult airway management. In this case report, we present a patient with CLS who underwent surgical intervention, highlighting the anesthetic considerations encountered throughout the perioperative period. We aim to summarize the difficulties involved in anesthetic management of rare conditions like CLS to improve clinical outcomes for affected individuals.

Environmental air pollution presents a considerable risk to global respiratory health. If critical levels are exceeded, inhaled pollutants can lead to the development of respiratory dysfunction and provoke exacerbation in those with pre‐existing chronic respiratory disease. Over 90% of the global population currently reside in areas where environmental air pollution is considered excessive—with adverse effects ranging from acute airway irritation to complex immunomodulatory alterations. This narrative review provides an up‐to‐date perspective concerning the impact of environmental air pollution on respiratory health and function and describes the underpinning mechanisms that contribute to the development and progression of chronic respiratory disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An application of CO2/HCO3−-free solution (Zero-CO2) did not increase intracellular pH (pHi) in ciliated human nasal epithelial cells (c-hNECs), leading to no increase in frequency (CBF) or amplitude (CBA) of the ciliary beating. This study demonstrated that the pHi of c-hNECs expressing carbonic anhydrase IV (CAIV) is high (7.64), while the pHi of ciliated human bronchial epithelial cells (c-hBECs) expressing no CAIV is low (7.10). An extremely high pHi of c-hNECs caused pHi, CBF and CBA to decrease upon Zero-CO2 application, while a low pHi of c-hBECs caused them to increase. An extremely high pHi was generated by a high rate of HCO3− influx via interactions between CAIV and Na+/HCO3− cotransport (NBC) in c-hNECs. An NBC inhibitor (S0859) decreased pHi, CBF and CBA and increased CBF and CBA in c-hNECs upon Zero-CO2 application. In conclusion, the interactions of CAIV and NBC maximize HCO3− influx to increase pHi in c-hNECs. This novel mechanism causes pHi to decrease, leading to no increase in CBF and CBA in c-hNECs upon Zero-CO2 application, and appears to play a crucial role in maintaining pHi, CBF and CBA in c-hNECs periodically exposed to air (0.04% CO2) with respiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coffin-Lowry Syndrome (CLS) is a rare X-linked genetic disorder characterized by growth delays, facial dysmorphisms, and intellectual disabilities. Currently, there are limited published case reports regarding the anesthetic management of patients with CLS. Managing anesthesia for CLS patients can be complex due to difficult airway management. In this case report, we present a patient with CLS who underwent surgical intervention, highlighting the anesthetic considerations encountered throughout the perioperative period. We aim to summarize the difficulties involved in anesthetic management of rare conditions like CLS to improve clinical outcomes for affected individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The most important and lifesaving step of airway management and resuscitation of patients is rapid and accurate endotracheal tube placement. Any delay in confirmation of endotracheal tube placement can lead to potentially life-threatening complications. Capnography, which is considered the gold standard method, also can yield transiently false positive results. We aimed to detect the time taken and to compare the effectiveness of real-time trans-tracheal ultrasonography with waveform capnography to confirm the correct placement of the endotracheal tube. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at our tertiary care hospital for a period of six months on 100 patients requiring endotracheal intubation under general anaesthesia. Real-time transtracheal ultrasonography and waveform capnography were used to confirm the correct placement of the endotracheal tube. Time taken by both methods in seconds was noted down by two different observers. Results: The time taken to confirm the correct placement of ETT by ultrasonography was 19.82 ± 5.14s, 95% CI: 18.8 - 20.84 and for capnography was 32.69 ± 5.73s, 95% CI: 31.55 - 33.83, p < 0.001, with a mean difference of 12.87s, 95% CI: 13.61 to 12.069, p < 0.001. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient ‘r value’ was 0.822, 95% CI: 0.746 - 0.877, p < 0.001. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of ultrasonography against capnography were 100%. Conclusion: Transtracheal ultrasonography is a faster, equally accurate and safe technique for confirmation of the correct placement of ETT and can be a good alternative to capnography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tracheomalacia is a condition where the tracheal wall is abnormally soft and prone to collapse during increased respiratory efforts. Airway malacia can manifest as segmental conditions like laryngomalacia, tracheomalacia and bronchomalacia, or as diffuse conditions such as tracheobronchomalacia (TBM). Unlike long‐segment congenital tracheal stenosis, where surgery may be the preferred treatment, the management of long‐segment TBM remains controversial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emergence and extubation are critical transitional phases in the perioperative period. Evidence has shown that complications occur more at extubation than intubation and induction. A comprehensive understanding of the various factors influencing emergence and extubation, potential complications, essential steps and different techniques employed can maximize patient outcomes and satisfaction. Vigilant monitoring and assessment of the patient's readiness for extubation are required at emergence. Reasons for delay and delirium in emergence must be screened and investigated so that corresponding treatment can be pursued. Haemodynamic stability, continued oxygen delivery, adequate analgesia and anti-emesis are the general objectives. Extubation is an elective procedure with the potential for unanticipated challenges and mortalities. Should extubation be determined appropriate, individualized planning and methodical preparation must precede the performance of extubation to avoid complications and failures. Risk stratification, airway assessment and optimization of physiological parameters are some of the necessary processes. Different extubation techniques are selected and performed to address specific physiological consequences and airway concerns. Guidelines and systematic approaches regarding emergence and extubation should be followed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early orthopaedic treatment with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) associated with facemask (FM) has been shown to be effective in correcting Class III malocclusions in children. Treatment with pushing splints 3 (PS3) has shown to correct skeletal discrepancies in Class III growing patients. However, the effects of orthopaedic treatment on the upper airways in children with Class III malocclusion is controversial. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cephalometric changes in the airways of PS3 compared to the RME/FM protocol. Materials and Methods: In this study, 48 patients with Class III malocclusion (age range 5.5–8.5 years old) were selected for this study, and 24 were treated with PS3 appliance and 24 with RME/FM therapy. Lateral cephalograms before (T0) and at the end of the treatment (T1) were analysed to compare pharyngeal spaces. Paired and unpaired t tests were used for data analysis (P <.05). Results: A total of 41 patients (21 patients for the PS3 group, 11 males and 10 females, mean age 7.0 ± 1.2 years; 20 patients for the RME/FM group, 10 males and 10 females, mean age 7.2 ± 1.3 years) were included. The results showed a statistically significant (P <.05) increase in the nasopharyngeal space after both therapies. However, the effects were similar considering that there were no differences between groups for the assessed variables at T0–T1. Conclusions: Early treatment of Class III malocclusion with PS3 does not induce a statistically significant increase in the sagittal airway space compared to RME/FM. The absence of untreated group could not define the role of growth in the increase of space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background While inflammatory and immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in peripheral blood are extensively described, responses at the upper respiratory mucosal site of initial infection are relatively poorly defined. We sought to identify mucosal cytokine/chemokine signatures that distinguished coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity categories, and relate these to disease progression and peripheral inflammation. Methods We measured 35 cytokines and chemokines in nasal samples from 274 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Analysis considered the timing of sampling during disease, as either the early (0–5 days after symptom onset) or late (6–20 days after symptom onset) phase. Results Patients that survived severe COVID-19 showed interferon (IFN)-dominated mucosal immune responses (IFN-γ, CXCL10, and CXCL13) early in infection. These early mucosal responses were absent in patients who would progress to fatal disease despite equivalent SARS-CoV-2 viral load. Mucosal inflammation in later disease was dominated by interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-10, IFN-γ, and IL-12p70, which scaled with severity but did not differentiate patients who would survive or succumb to disease. Cytokines and chemokines in the mucosa showed distinctions from responses evident in the peripheral blood, particularly during fatal disease. Conclusions Defective early mucosal antiviral responses anticipate fatal COVID-19 but are not associated with viral load. Early mucosal immune responses may define the trajectory of severe COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute upper airway compromise is a rare but catastrophic complication after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. This study aims to develop a score to identify patients at risk of acute postoperative airway compromise (PAC). Potential risk factors for acute PAC were selected by a modified Delphi process. Ten patients with acute PAC were identified of 1466 patients who underwent elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion between July 2014 and May 2019. A comparison group was created by a randomized selection process (non-PAC group). Factors associated with PAC and a P value of < 0.10 were entered into a logistic regression model and coefficients contributed to each risk factor's overall score. Calibration of the model was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. Quantitative discrimination was calculated, and the final model was internally validated with bootstrap sampling. We identified 18 potential risk factors from our Delphi process, of which 6 factors demonstrated a significant association with airway compromise: age >65 years, current smoking status, American Society of Anesthesiologists class >2, history of a bleeding disorder, surgery of upper subaxial cervical spine (above C4), and duration of surgery >179 minutes. The final prediction model included 5 predictors with very strong performance characteristics. These 5 factors formed the PAC score, with a range from 0 to 100. A score of 20 yielded the greatest balance of sensitivity (80%) and specificity (88%). The acute PAC score demonstrates strong performance characteristics. The PAC score might help identify patients at risk of upper airway compromise caused by surgical site abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in paediatric anaesthetic equipment and monitoring continue to be made. While the mainstay of airway intubating equipment currently is the direct laryngoscope, videolaryngoscopes and endoscopes are increasing in their use. These continue to evolve, generating better quality pictures, with more sophisticated yet easier to use equipment. Vascular access in paediatric anaesthesia can be challenging. Ultrasound has become an integral piece of equipment in the management of these children with difficult access. As the population increases in weight, so the management of the obese child is now a reality. This requires thought and careful planning of their perioperative care. Newer techniques such as high flow nasal oxygen are useful both to prevent hypoxia at induction, but also to facilitate surgery. Total intravenous anaesthesia will be discussed with reference to paediatric algorithms and equipment. Neurological monitoring in the form of near-infrared spectroscopy and depth of anaesthesia monitoring are discussed with evidence relevant to paediatric practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airway management is undertaken to deliver oxygen, remove carbon dioxide and protect against pulmonary aspiration. This article describes the equipment utilized by airway providers in order to achieve these aims, aided by their relevant knowledge, skills and experience. The use of this equipment forms the basis of core airway management techniques, including facemask ventilation, use of supraglottic airway devices, laryngoscopy, awake tracheal intubation and front-of-neck access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop and assess multidisciplinary advanced surgical planning (ASP) sessions using three dimensional (3D) printed models for cervicothoracic slide tracheoplasty (CST). We hypothesized that these sessions would improve surgeon confidence, streamline intraoperative planning, and highlight the utility of 3D modeling. Methods: 3D‐printed patient‐specific trachea models were used in pre‐operative ASP sessions consisting of a multidisciplinary case discussion and hands‐on slide tracheoplasty simulation. Participants completed a survey rating realism, utility, impact on the final surgical plan, and pre‐ and post‐session confidence. Statistical analysis was performed via Wilcoxon and Kruskal‐Wallis tests. Results: Forty‐eight surveys were collected across nine sessions and 27 different physicians. On a 5‐point Likert scale, models were rated as "very realistic", "very useful" (both median of 4, IQR 3–4 and 4–5, respectively). Overall confidence increased by 1.4 points (+/− 0.7, p < 0.0001), with the largest change seen in those with minimal prior slide tracheoplasty experience (p = 0.005). Participants felt that the sessions "strongly" impacted their surgical plan or anticipated performance (median 4, IQR 4–5), regardless of training level or experience. Conclusion: 3D‐printed patient‐specific models were successfully implemented in ASP sessions for CST. Models were deemed very realistic and very useful by surgeons across multiple specialties and training levels. Surgical planning sessions also strongly impacted the final surgical plan and increased surgeon confidence for CST. Level of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 134:3395–3401, 2024 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic administration of opioids has been associated with aspiration and swallow dysfunction in humans. We speculated that systemic administration of codeine would induce dysfunctional swallowing and that this effect would have a peripheral component. Experiments were conducted in spontaneously breathing, anesthetized cats. The animals were tracheotomized and electromyogram (EMG) electrodes were placed in upper airway and chest wall respiratory muscles for recording swallow related motor activity. The animals were allocated into three groups: vagal intact (VI), cervical vagotomy (CVx), and supra-nodose ganglion vagotomy (SNGx). A dose response to intravenous codeine was performed in each animal. Swallowing was elicited by injection of 3 mL of water into the oropharynx. The number of swallows after vehicle was significantly higher in the VI group than in SNGx. Codeine had no significant effect on the number of swallows induced by water in any of the groups. However, the magnitudes of water swallow-related EMGs of the thyropharyngeus muscle were significantly increased in the VI and CVx groups by 2-4 fold in a dose-related manner. In the CVx group, the geniohyoid muscle EMG during water swallows was significantly increased. There was a significant dose-related increase in spontaneous swallowing in each group from codeine. The spontaneous swallow number at the 10 mg/kg dose of codeine was significantly larger in the CVx group than that in the SNGx group. During water-evoked swallows, intravenous codeine increased upper airway motor drive in a dose-related manner, consistent with dysregulation. The data support the existence of both central and peripheral actions of codeine on spontaneous swallowing. At the highest dose of codeine, the reduced spontaneous swallow number in the SNGx group relative to CVx is consistent with a peripheral excitatory action of codeine either on pharyngeal/laryngeal receptors or in the nodose ganglion itself. The higher number of swallows in the CVx group than the VI group supports disinhibition of this behavior by elimination of inhibitory vagal sensory afferents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cough is a powerful, protective expulsive behavior that assists in maintaining respiratory health by clearing foreign material, pathogens, and mucus from the airways. Therefore, cough is critical to survival in both health and disease. Importantly, cough protects the airways and lungs from both antegrade (e.g., food, liquid, saliva) and retrograde (e.g., bile, gastric acid) aspirate contents. Aspiration is often the result of impaired swallowing (dysphagia), which allows oral and/or gastric contents to enter the lung, especially in individuals who also have cough dysfunction (dystussia). Cough hyposensitivity, downregulation, or desensitization- collectively referred to as hypotussia- is common in individuals with dysphagia, and increases the likelihood that aspirated material will reach the lung. The consequence of hypotussia with reduced airway clearance can include respiratory tract infection, chronic inflammation, and long-term damage to the lung parenchyma. Despite the clear implications for health, the problem of managing hypotussia in individuals with dysphagia is frequently overlooked. Here, we provide an overview of the current interventions and treatment approaches for hypotussic cough. We synthesize the available literature to summarize research findings that advance our understanding of these interventions, as well as current gaps in knowledge. Further, we highlight pragmatic resources to increase awareness of hypotussic cough interventions and provide support for the clinical implementation of evidence-based treatments. In culmination, we discuss potential innovations and future directions for hypotussic cough research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Patients with sleep apnea, affecting up to 1 in 4 older men in the United States, may be at increased risk of postoperative complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), including increased thromboembolic and cerebrovascular events, as well as respiratory, cardiac, and digestive complications. However, the extent to which the use of CPAP in patients with sleep apnea has been studied in TKA is limited. Methods: A national, all-payer database was queried to identify all patients who underwent a primary TKA between 2010 and 2021. Patients who had any history of sleep apnea were identified and then stratified based on the use of CPAP. A propensity score match analysis was conducted to limit the influence of confounders. Medical complications, such as cardiac arrest, stroke, pulmonary embolism, transfusion, venous thromboembolism, and wound complications, were collected at 90-days, 1-year, and 2-years. Results: The bivariate analysis showed inferior outcomes for sleep apnea with CPAP use compared to sleep apnea with no CPAP use, in terms of length of stay (5.9 vs. 5.2, p < 0.001), PJI (1.31% vs. 1.14%, p < 0.001), stroke (0.97% vs. 0.82%, p < 0.001), VTE (1.04% vs. 0.82, p < 0.001), and all other complications at 90-days (p < 0.001) except cardiac arrest (0.14% vs. 0.11%, p = 0.052), and aseptic revision (0.40% vs. 0.39%, p = 0.832), PJI (1.81% vs. 1.55%, p < 0.001) and aseptic revision (1.25% vs. 1.06%, p < 0.001) at 1-year, and PJI (2.07 vs. 1.77, p < 0.001) and aseptic revision (1.98 vs. 1.17, p < 0.001) at 2-years. Conclusion: Patients with sleep apnea have increased postoperative complications after undergoing TKA in comparison to patients without sleep apnea. More severe sleep apnea, represented by CPAP usage in this study led to worse postoperative outcomes but further analysis is required signify the role of CPAP in this patient population. Patients with sleep apnea should be treated as a high-risk group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Respiratory viruses significantly impact global morbidity and mortality, causing more disease in humans than any other infectious agent. Beyond pathogens, various viruses and bacteria colonize the respiratory tract without causing disease, potentially influencing respiratory diseases' pathogenesis. Nevertheless, our understanding of respiratory microbiota is limited by technical constraints, predominantly focusing on bacteria and neglecting crucial populations like viruses. Despite recent efforts to improve our understanding of viral diversity in the human body, our knowledge of viral diversity associated with the human respiratory tract remains limited. Methods: Following a comprehensive search in bibliographic and sequencing data repositories using keyword terms, we retrieved shotgun metagenomic data from public repositories (n = 85). After manual curation, sequencing data files from 43 studies were analyzed using EVEREST (pipEline for Viral assEmbly and chaRactEriSaTion). Complete and high-quality contigs were further assessed for genomic and taxonomic characterization. Results: Viral contigs were obtained from 194 out of the 868 FASTQ files processed through EVEREST. Of the 1842 contigs that were quality assessed, 8% (n = 146) were classified as complete/high-quality genomes. Most of the identified viral contigs were taxonomically classified as bacteriophages, with taxonomic resolution ranging from the superkingdom level down to the species level. Captured contigs were spread across 25 putative families and varied between RNA and DNA viruses, including previously uncharacterized viral genomes. Of note, airway samples also contained virus(es) characteristic of the human gastrointestinal tract, which have not been previously described as part of the lung virome. Additionally, by performing a meta-analysis of the integrated datasets, ecological trends within viral populations linked to human disease states and their biogeographical distribution along the respiratory tract were observed. Conclusion: By leveraging publicly available repositories of shotgun metagenomic data, the present study provides new insights into viral genomes associated with specimens from the human respiratory tract across different disease spectra. Further studies are required to validate our findings and evaluate the potential impact of these viral communities on respiratory tract physiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The German guidelines for airway management aim to optimize the care of patients undergoing anesthesia or intensive care. The preanesthesia evaluation is an important component for detection of anatomical and physiological indications for difficult mask ventilation and intubation. If predictors for a difficult or impossible mask ventilation and/or endotracheal intubation are present the airway should be secured while maintaining spontaneous breathing. In an unexpectedly difficult intubation, attempts to secure the airway should be limited to two with each method used. A video laryngoscope is recommended after an unsuccessful direct laryngoscopy. Therefore, a video laryngoscope should be available at every anesthesiology workspace throughout the hospital. Securing the airway should primarily be performed with a video laryngoscope in critically ill patients and patients at risk of pulmonary aspiration. Experienced personnel should perform or supervise airway management in the intensive care unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Compare ventilation pressures of 2 endotracheal tube designs used in laser airway surgery in clinical practice and with a benchtop model to elucidate differences and understand the design elements that impact airflow dynamics. Methods: Ventilatory and aerodynamic characteristics of the laser resistant stainless-steel endotracheal tube (LRSS-ET) design and the laser resistant aluminum-wrapped silicone endotracheal tube (LRAS-ET) design were compared. Ventilatory parameters were collected for 32 patients undergoing laser-assisted airway surgery through retrospective chart review. An in vitro benchtop simulation measured average resistance and centerline turbulence intensity of both designs at various diameters and physiological frequencies. Results: Baseline patient characteristics did not differ between the 2 groups. Clinically, the median LRAS-ET peak inspiratory pressure (PIP; 21.00 cm H2O) was significantly decreased compared to LRSS-ET PIP (34.67 cm H2O). In benchtop simulation, the average PIP of the LRAS-ET was significantly lower at all sizes and frequencies. The LRSS-ET consistently demonstrated an increased resistance, although no patterns were observed in turbulence intensity data between both designs. Conclusion: The benchtop model demonstrated increased resistance in the LRSS-ET compared to the LRAS-ET at all comparable sizes. This finding is supported by retrospective ventilatory pressures during laser airway surgery, which show significantly increased PIPs when comparing identically sized inner diameters. Given the equivocal turbulence intensity data, these differences in resistance and pressures are likely caused by wall roughness and intraluminal presence of tubing, not inlet or outlet geometries. The decreased PIPs of the LRAS-ET should assist in following lung protective ventilator management strategies and reduce risk of pulmonary injury and hemodynamic instability to the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]