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In this episode, Charles Powell, MD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Mount Sinai Respiratory Institute; Regional Medical Director, Mount Sinai Hospital Doctors Faculty Practice; System Division Chief, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai Health System, discusses advances in respiratory care, lung cancer risks linked to air pollution, AI in clinical practice, and emerging approaches to preventing chronic disease.
Dr. Stephanie Maximous speaks with Dr. Diana Kelm about her article, "Build It and They Shall Come: Medical Education Communities of Practice."
Obstructive sleep apnea affects approximately one in four adults and is especially common among patients with neurologic disorders, including stroke, Parkinson disease, dementia, epilepsy, and neuromuscular conditions. In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Stahl discusses why neurologists should routinely screen for OSA, highlights key symptoms and risk factors, reviews important considerations when interpreting sleep studies, and outlines current treatment options beyond CPAP. Learn how recognizing and treating sleep apnea can improve quality of life, optimize management of neurologic disease, and reduce long-term health risks. In this episode, Aaron L. Berkowitz, MD, PhD, FAAN, speaks with Stephanie M. Stahl, MD, FAASM, author of the article "Obstructive Sleep Apnea" in the Continuum® August 2026 Sleep Neurology issue. Dr. Berkowitz is a Continuum® Audio interviewer and a professor of neurology in the Department of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, in San Francisco, California. Dr. Stahl is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine and Sleep Medicine Fellowship Program Director at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she also serves as Sleep Laboratory Medical Director in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep, and Occupational Medicine. Additional Resources Read the article: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Subscribe to Continuum®: shop.lww.com/Continuum Earn CME (available only to AAN members): continpub.com/AudioCME Continuum® Aloud (verbatim audio-book style recordings of articles available only to Continuum® subscribers): continpub.com/Aloud More about the American Academy of Neurology: aan.com Social Media facebook.com/continuumcme @ContinuumAAN Host: @AaronLBerkowitz Full episode transcript available here Dr Berkowitz: Obstructive sleep apnea is very common. It can cause or contribute to common neurologic symptoms, such as headache and impaired cognition, and it's a risk factor for stroke. And yet, if you're like me, you may not know too much more about sleep apnea than that. Today, I have the pleasure of talking to sleep expert Dr. Stephanie Stahl to learn what every neurologist should know about OSA. Dr Jones: This is Dr. Lyell Jones, Editor-in-Chief of Continuum. Thank you for listening to Continuum Audio. Be sure to visit the links in the episode notes for information about earning CME, subscribing to the journal, and exclusive access to interviews not featured on the podcast. Dr Berkowitz: This is Dr. Aaron Berkowitz. Today I'm interviewing Dr. Stephanie Stahl about her article on obstructive sleep apnea. This article appears in the 2026 Continuum issue on Neurology of Sleep. Welcome to the podcast, Dr. Stahl, and could you please introduce yourself to our audience? Dr Stahl: Yeah. Thank you for having me. I'm a sleep medicine physician and neurologist and medical director of the Indianapolis Sleep Lab at Indiana University Health. I serve as the director of the Sleep Medicine Fellowship program. I'm faculty advisor for our very first student interest group in sleep medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine. I'm also actively involved in some national leadership roles, including the incoming chair of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's Education Committee and co-chair of the Academy's Inter-Scorer Reliability Gold Standard Panel. So, I really appreciate this opportunity. I look forward to our discussion. Dr Berkowitz: Me too, and we appreciate the opportunity too to get to talk to you. You have so much expertise in this area, and I certainly encourage our listeners to look at your article, which is very comprehensive and up to date, and I learned a ton from it. I didn't get much exposure to sleep neurology as a trainee, and I've always worked in academic centers where we have a sleep group and we can refer patients there. So, I have to admit, sleep may probably be the area of neurology I know the least about, and felt like I was learning something new from pretty much every line of your article, and I know our readers will too. So, your article has a lot of excellent detail for our readers on the diagnosis and treatment of this very common condition. But I'd like to keep our interview relatively high level today and focus on the essentials for the practicing general neurologist. So, to start, can you just give us a sense of what obstructive sleep apnea is, and what every neurologist should know about it? Dr Stahl: Yeah. So obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by either partial or full obstructions in the upper airway. That may sound pretty simple, but this leads to a whole bunch of issues. It leads to oxygen desaturations, arousals from sleep, leading to sleep fragmentation. This can then lead to sympathetic nervous system activation, cerebral hypoperfusion, leading to a whole bunch of symptoms or neurologic conditions. Dr Berkowitz: Great. And you mentioned this in your article, but just to emphasize, how common is obstructive sleep apnea in the general population? Dr Stahl: Yeah. So, about a quarter of the general population have obstructive sleep apnea. Much more common in many neurologic conditions. Dr Berkowitz: Yeah, so very common disorder. We are seeing patients with it quite frequently, whether that's the reason they are seeing us in neurology or not. And this leads to my next question, which is what neurologic symptoms or presenting concerns of a patient should make us think about OSA and the differential diagnosis, and what factors based on the history or the exam or the context would make you suspicious for OSA as the cause of a neurologic symptom? In other words, the patient's presenting with classic symptoms of OSA, and that's why they're seeing a neurologist or seeing a primary care doctor, but is coming for evaluation of, say, headache or other symptoms. And what symptoms would make you think of wanting to consider OSA, and then what aspects of the history or otherwise would make you want to evaluate the patient for OSA? Dr Stahl: I think a really important takeaway is for neurologists to know that obstructive sleep apnea is very common in neurologic conditions and has that potential to worsen a lot of these conditions or their associated symptoms. And so, it should be on our radar. There are certainly some basic questions and signs and symptoms that we can ask patients about or, or take a look at on exam. And so particular symptoms include snoring. Anybody that snores loudly or frequently, that's a strong risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea. If someone's seeing them stop breathing in their sleep, if they are waking up a lot throughout the night. There are some other symptoms that we may not necessarily attribute upfront to obstructive sleep apnea, such as nocturia, nocturnal reflux, night sweats. There are some daytime symptoms, of course, too, like unrefreshing sleep, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, an important one in neurology. And then we take a look at the patient's exam. And so, some things that neurologists might want to be thinking about are people with obesity are certainly at a risk for obstructive sleep apnea. But it's also very important to know that someone does not need to have obesity in order to have obstructive sleep apnea. We look at neck size, other morphologic characteristics, such as how much that we can see in the back of their mouth. Can we see their uvula? Does their tongue size appear large in their mouth? And then some other risk factors too, such as male gender, older age, family history, post-menopausal state in women. All that being said, though, sometimes in neurologic conditions, we don't have all of those symptoms or risk factors to be thinking about. And so, in certain neurologic conditions such as stroke where obstructive sleep apnea is very common and has the potential to increase the risk of another stroke, we may need to be thinking about testing these patients even with minimal symptoms or other risk factors. Dr Berkowitz: That's very helpful. So, you mentioned their headache might be the presenting symptom, right, to a neurologist, and we should certainly be thinking about obstructive sleep apnea as a potential diagnosis, even the cause of the patient's headache, particularly you said patients with morning headache. I often try to think about in patients presenting with, for memory loss, or other cognitive concerns, and that may be due more to inattention from poor sleep, so asking about sleep and symptoms of sleep apnea in those contexts. Are there any other presenting neurologic symptoms not particularly related to sleep? I'm thinking of headache, memory loss, other symptoms that would make you think, "Oh, I should actually screen this patient for sleep apnea also." Dr Stahl: Yeah, other symptoms to think about in pediatrics, hyperactivity, people that have impaired vigilance, as you alluded to, that poor attention. Sometimes people get misdiagnosed with ADHD, and it's actually just a manifestation of obstructive sleep apnea. Dr Berkowitz: You alluded to this, Dr. Stahl, that stroke, for example, patients are at higher risk of developing sleep apnea as a result of stroke, and it's also a risk factor for stroke. What other neurologic conditions, primary neurologic diseases, put patients at a higher risk of OSA? And again, similar to the last question I asked you, what are some clues that we should evaluate for? We might be following a patient for their post-stroke care over time and not necessarily thinking about diagnosing a separate condition in them since we're following them for their stroke or their degenerative disease. What are the conditions that put patients at a higher risk of OSA as a result of the condition, and then when would you think about screening them for it? Dr Stahl: Some particular neurologic conditions where obstructive sleep apnea are very common, in addition to stroke and, and TIA, include Parkinson disease. It can worsen a lot of the motor, cognitive symptoms, sleep disruption that we can see in Parkinson disease. Very common in all causes of dementia, but in particular Alzheimer disease and Lewy body dementia. Very common in neuromuscular conditions. We should definitely have obstructive sleep apnea and all forms of sleep-disordered breathing high on our radar. In conditions like myotonic dystrophy. Charcot-Marie-Tooth is another one where obstructive sleep apnea is very common. Myasthenia gravis, it can worsen the symptoms of that. In particular, a pearl is if somebody has morning weakness in myasthenia gravis, obstructive sleep apnea should be high on your radar. And also, as you mentioned, any forms of headaches. There are some other things too. If somebody has poor seizure control, especially nocturnal seizures, you might have obstructive sleep apnea on your radar as well. Dr Berkowitz: So, I think you've covered essentially every category of neurologic disease, right? We have cerebrovascular, movement, neurodegenerative, neuromuscular, epilepsy, all conditions where either the disorder itself, such as stroke or the, correct me if I'm wrong, the neurodegenerative disease puts the patient at risk. Or the patient may be at risk for exacerbations of their disease, as you mentioned in myasthenia. I love that pearl. Not fatiguable at the end of the day, but if the patient with myasthenia is telling you they're feeling weaker at the beginning of the day, then think about obstructive sleep apnea and that obstructive sleep apnea worsening control of epilepsy due to poor sleep. So really a lot of bidirectional interactions with this common condition. Okay, so if we're concerned about obstructive sleep apnea, again, myself, a general neurologist speaking perhaps on behalf of other general neurologists, we see a patient with headache or reporting memory loss that we find to be impaired attention, or we see exacerbation of their underlying primary neurologic disease. As you mentioned, we think, "Oh, I've listened to this podcast. I've read Dr. Stahl's article. I should probably be thinking about OSA in this patient, and I should order a sleep study." Now, I admit when I get the sleep study back, I scroll to the bottom, I see they do have obstructive sleep apnea, I'm going to send them over to a sleep specialist. But for the general neurologist, what are some high-yield pearls and some pitfalls to be aware of when we get sleep studies for obstructive sleep apnea, and we are looking at the results? Dr Stahl: The first thing is to understand that there are two main types of sleep studies: in-lab polysomnography and home sleep apnea test. In-lab studies are typically what we consider the more accurate type of study. Main reason for that is that we have EEG, so we can see if someone is awake versus asleep. Most home sleep apnea tests do not utilize EEG, and so when we're looking at respiratory events, apneas or hypopneas, we're looking at over the total recording time rather than the total sleep time. So, we know we're going to capture some time where a person is awake, where we don't have sleep apnea events, and that can be a big amount of time in people with insomnia, poor sleep efficiency. And as a result of that, it can lead to an underestimation of the apnea-hypopnea index. That's really important for people to understand that that means we can end up with a false negative home sleep apnea test, or it can put them in a category of lower severity than what they actually have. And so, if you get a home sleep study report back that's negative for sleep apnea and you remain concerned, you need to go on to do an in-lab study, where about twenty to fifty percent of people will go on to have a positive in-lab study. You can also get false positives with home sleep apnea tests too, and so ideally, we should only be doing home sleep apnea tests in people that are at high risk of having obstructive sleep apnea to decrease our chance of false positive study. When we get that sleep study report, what's important to take a look at? So the main number that we look at currently is the apnea-hypopnea index. The number of apneas, which are full obstructions in that upper airway, or hypopneas, partial obstructions in the upper airway where either there's an oxygen desaturation or an arousal associated with that. Less than five is considered to be normal. Anything five or more gives them a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, and then we stratify them based on the AHI. But it's important to take a look at more than just the apnea-hypopnea index. And while my eyes too on various reports like echocardiograms want to jump to the impression, it is important to take a look at that full report, see what their oxygen levels averaged and what they dipped down to. The arousal index, which is how many times a patient may have woken up briefly throughout the night. Take a look at the histogram, usually an image at the bottom of their report that shows what sleep fragmentation may have been like so that you can take that all in and make that decision. How important are these study findings, and is this a person that would benefit from treatment? Dr Berkowitz: That's a fantastic overview of sleep studies and some of the highlights to look out for, even if we won't be understanding every detail as you would to know most importantly the caveats about home sleep testing having a fairly high percentage of false negative and false positive results. So being wary if our suspicion is high, and that test is normal or inconclusive to get an in-lab sleep study. And if our suspicion is low or maybe we haven't ordered the test and the patient has had it done elsewhere, and the history doesn't really match up to know that there are false positives on the home studies as well, and again, an in-lab study to settle the diagnosis. Is that right? Dr Stahl: Yes. Dr Berkowitz: Okay. Now, for most neurologists, probably if we diagnose OSA, we will be referring the patient to a sleep specialist like yourself for treatment. I think we're all familiar with CPAP and patients being on CPAP. Your article mentions a number of treatment modalities I admit I have not heard of before or maybe heard of in passing, acknowledging most general neurologists are not going to be prescribing or knowing with the nuance that you do as an expert how to decide which treatment a patient would most benefit from or most qualify for. So, can you just give us a broad overview, again, for the general neurologist acknowledging we might see a patient whose past medical history says OSA being treated with fill in the blank. What are the different treatment modalities, and how do you think, just so we can learn from you in broad brush strokes, about particular treatments for particular patients? Dr Stahl: As you mentioned, most people are familiar with positive airway pressure or PAP therapy, and that does remain our most efficacious treatment. The way I explain it to patients is why PAP therapy is the most effective treatment is it's the only treatment that can take all of the tissues of that upper airway and open them up. Whereas all of our other treatments, we're going to target smaller spaces of that upper airway. So, our first option is if we can get somebody on PAP therapy, we know that that's going to be the best option for the majority. PAP therapy works by basically acting as an air splint to open up the air tissues. Know that masks are not interchangeable. There are masks that cover the nose and go over the nose and mouth and under the nose. Full face masks that cover the nose and mouth, they do typically require higher pressures, also tend to be less comfortable for a lot of patients as well. In addition to different PAP masks, there's different modalities of positive airway pressure therapy too. There are machines that auto-adjust, some that provide fixed pressure, bi-level PAP that provides a higher inspiratory pressure, lower expiratory pressure. Then outside of PAP therapy, there are, as you alluded to, a lot of options and more, continuing to come down the pipeline as well. Mandibular advancement devices or a form of oral appliances has been around for a while. This is device that somebody wears in their mouth. It's preferably customized for their teeth and titratable, meaning that they can make adjustments that pulls their mandible forward in relation to the maxilla in order to pull those tongue tissues further away from the back of the upper airway. That's ideally managed by a qualified sleep dentist or someone that specializes in oral appliance management. Other treatments include surgical options, including hypoglossal nerve stimulation, which is an implanted device that causes the tongue to protrude repetitively throughout their sleep period to hopefully open up the airspace. There's some other surgical options too that open up various places of the upper airway. There's a daytime treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, transoral neuromuscular electrical stimulation that changes the muscle fiber type of the tongue. And then there's some adjunctive treatments that can be helpful too, such as positional therapy, oral facial myofunctional therapy that helps a person breathe better through their nose and may help train the upper airway muscles. Dr Berkowitz: Great. Well, that's a very helpful overview, and again, I refer our listeners to your article, which talks about all of those modalities in very comprehensive detail. So, Dr. Stahl, as we wrap up our conversation, you have a captive audience of neurologists and neurology trainees here. What would you like to leave us with that every neurologist should know about obstructive sleep apnea? Dr Stahl: The most important, again, is for neurologists to know that obstructive sleep apnea is so common in your patient population, and it can have a significant negative impact on quality of life and health, including many neurologic conditions. And at the same time, obstructive sleep apnea is very treatable. We have so many options nowadays that we can usually get someone onto adequate treatment. And treatment has that potential to improve several neurologic symptoms and disorders, even at times when you don't think that there's an opportunity to improve symptoms such as say in, headache. So, neurologists really should be screening for signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, as well as considering testing in high-risk, potentially asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients. Dr Berkowitz: That's a fantastic overview of some of the many pearls that you shared with us today, as well as in your article. So, thank you so much again. Today, I've been interviewing Dr. Stephanie Stahl about her article on obstructive sleep apnea. This article appears in the August 2026 Continuum issue on neurology of sleep. Be sure to check out Continuum Audio episodes from this and other issues. And thank you so much to our listeners for joining today, and thank you again, Dr. Stahl. Dr Stahl: Thank you again for having me. Dr Monteith: This is Dr. Teshamae Monteith, Associate Editor of Continuum Audio. If you've enjoyed this episode, you'll love the journal, which is full of in-depth and clinically relevant information important for neurology practitioners. Use the link in the episode notes to learn more and subscribe. AAN members, you can get CME for listening to this interview by completing the evaluation at continpub.com/audioCME. Thank you for listening to Continuum Audio.
CardioNerds (Dr. Apoorva Gangavelli, Dr. Rebecca Garber, and Dr. Tina Reddy), discuss pre-pregnancy risk stratification and counseling with Dr. Katy Young across a range of risks. This episode was produced as part of the CardioNerds Academy curriculum by House Einthoven under the guidance of House Chief, Dr. Apoorva Gangavelli and Academy Program Director, Dr. Gurleen Kaur. A matching review article will be published in US Cardiology Review, the official journal of CardioNerds. This discussion was planned in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Board Review Course. Audio editing by CardioNerds intern, Dr. Patrick Pekyi-Boateng. Enjoy this Circulation 2022 Paths to Discovery article to learn about the CardioNerds story, mission, and values. CardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! Notes: Why is pregnancy considered a “physiologic stress test,” and why does risk extend beyond delivery? Blood volume, heart rate, and cardiac output rise while systemic vascular resistance falls, peaking in the late second/early third trimester; underlying (even undiagnosed) heart disease can be unmasked or worsened. Postpartum (“fourth trimester”) is a high-risk period, not a safe zone – fluid shifts, rising SVR, and bleeding risk can precipitate decompensation in patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, valvular disease, or aortopathy. Adverse pregnancy outcomes (hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, peripartum cardiomyopathy) are markers of future cardiovascular risk and warrant long-term preventive follow-up. What is the practical framework for approaching pre-pregnancy cardiovascular risk? Four broad categories: (1) patients who may need cardiac screening before pregnancy, (2) patients needing risk-factor/medication optimization, (3) known cardiovascular disease where pregnancy is reasonable with structured risk stratification, and (4) high-risk disease where pregnancy may need to be delayed, modified by intervention, or discouraged. Testing should be targeted, not blanket – reserved for symptoms, abnormal exam, concerning family history, or reduced functional capacity. How is risk stratified in patients with known cardiovascular disease? Use a combination of tools per 2025 ESC guidelines: mWHO 2.0 (broad maternal risk category), CARPREG II (additional predictors of maternal cardiac events), and ZAHARA (useful in congenital heart disease). Key lesion-specific factors: aortic size/growth, valve severity, ventricular function, symptoms, blood pressure, and family history of dissection. Translate risk into practical terms for patients rather than leading with a numerical score. Which cardiovascular medications require review before conception? ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and ARNIs should be transitioned off before pregnancy; statins, MRAs, and SGLT2 inhibitors also need review. DOACs are contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation; mechanical valve anticoagulation requires individualized shared decision-making, as no strategy is risk-free for mother and fetus. Medication changes are best made proactively, before conception, rather than reactively. This is not an exhaustive list! The medication list needs to be reviewed carefully. Which conditions carry high or prohibitive risk in pregnancy? Pulmonary arterial hypertension, Eisenmenger syndrome, severe ventricular dysfunction, prior peripartum cardiomyopathy with residual LV dysfunction, severe left-sided obstructive valve disease (e.g., severe mitral stenosis), mechanical valves, significant aortopathy, cyanotic congenital heart disease, and Fontan physiology. Common theme: limited cardiovascular reserve and high risk of decompensation, thrombosis, arrhythmia, heart failure, aortic dissection, or death. These patients need expert multidisciplinary evaluation before pregnancy. Severe mitral stenosis is poorly tolerated because tachycardia shortens diastolic filling time and raises left atrial pressure, risking pulmonary edema and decompensation. When should genetic testing or counseling be offered? Consider when a diagnosis may be inherited or affect the patient, pregnancy, or family members: inherited cardiomyopathies, aortopathies, channelopathies, select congenital heart disease, and some pulmonary hypertension syndromes. Recurrence risk of congenital heart disease in offspring is roughly 6-10% when the mother has CHD; fetal echocardiography should be offered. How should contraception be approached in high-risk cardiac patients? Frame contraception as part of the cardiac care and reproductive safety plan to prevent unplanned high-risk pregnancy. Long-acting reversible contraception is often preferred; progestin-only methods are generally safer than estrogen-containing options with thrombosis risk, pulmonary hypertension, or mechanical valves. What are key delivery-planning considerations for cardiac patients? Vaginal delivery is preferred unless there is an obstetric indication for cesarean or a specific cardiac reason (e.g., unstable maternal status, therapeutic INR) to avoid labor. Planning should address delivery location, anesthesia involvement, telemetry needs, fluid management, and postpartum monitoring, clearly communicated across the multidisciplinary team in advance. How should clinicians counsel patients when pregnancy is discouraged but strongly desired? Acknowledge the patient’s goals and the emotional weight of the conversation; separate the goal (family building) from the timeline (safety now vs. after optimization). If pregnancy remains prohibitively risky, discuss alternatives for family building and ensure adequate patient support. What are the key gaps and future directions in cardio-obstetric risk stratification? Current risk tools (mWHO, CARPREG II, ZAHARA) provide common language but do not fully capture functional status, prior pregnancy history, or how risk evolves over time. Future direction: individualized, dynamic risk prediction incorporating imaging, biomarkers, exercise capacity, and social drivers of health, with better long-term links between pregnancy complications and cardiovascular prevention. References 1. European Society of Cardiology. 2025 ESC Guidelines for the management of cardiovascular disease and pregnancy. 2. Mehta LS, et al. Cardiovascular Considerations in Caring for Pregnant Patients: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2020;141:e884-e903. PMID: 32362133. doi:https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000772 3. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 212. Pregnancy and Heart Disease. Obstet Gynecol. 2019;133(5):e320-e356. PMID: 31022123. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000003243
What does it really take to match into a medical fellowship as an IMG?In this episode of Med School Minutes, we sit down with Dr. Brandon Gordon, Saint James School of Medicine alumnus and Pulmonary & Critical Care fellow at the University of Florida Jacksonville, to discuss the journey from medical school to residency, chief residency, and fellowship.Dr. Gordon shares what he learned navigating the fellowship application process, including why connections matter, how research and quality improvement projects can strengthen your application, and what fellowship programs are really looking for during interviews.In this episode, we discuss:• How fellowship applications differ from residency• The importance of research, case reports, and QI projects• How networking can help you land fellowship interviews• Why social media can be a valuable networking tool• Whether becoming a chief resident can improve your chances• What fellowship interviews are really evaluating• Fellowship and visa considerations for international graduates• Why physicians choose to subspecializeWhether you're currently in medical school, preparing for residency, or already thinking about your next step after residency, this episode offers practical insight into what it takes to pursue fellowship training as an IMG.
Commentary by Dr. Xinqi Zhong.
Commentary by Dr. Sung-Han Yoon.
Dr. Saema Tahir is a quadruple board-certified physician specializing in Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, and Sleep Medicine in New York City. She completed her medical training at Ross University School of Medicine, followed by residency at Case Western Reserve University and fellowships in Sleep Medicine at Temple University Hospital and Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Drexel University Hahnemann Medical Center. Known for her patient-centered and holistic approach, Dr. Tahir focuses on building trust through personalized care that considers each patient's physical, social, and psychological well-being. After serving on the front lines in New York City intensive care units during the COVID-19 pandemic, she returned to her passion for sleep and pulmonary medicine. Outside of medicine, she enjoys traveling with her husband and two children and staying active through fitness, including spinning, Lagree, and Pilates. SHOWNOTES: ( 10-12 points)
Show Notes Caring Beyond the Critical Care Phase What happens after a patient survives the ICU—but recovery has only begun? In this episode of Acute Conversations, hosts Dr. Leo Arguelles and Dr. Nicole Neveau welcome Dr. Rania Farhat, MD, MSHA, FCCP, an assistant professor of medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and founder and medical director of the SSM/SLUCare Post-ICU Multidisciplinary Clinic. Together, they explore post-intensive care syndrome, or PICS, and why meaningful recovery must extend far beyond ICU discharge. Dr. Farhat shares how her clinic grew from a once-monthly idea into a multidisciplinary program connecting critical care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy and transitional care. The conversation examines the lasting physical, cognitive and emotional effects of critical illness, as well as the burden carried by families and caregivers. Listeners will hear how the team uses measures such as six-minute walk distance, grip strength, cognitive screening and quality-of-life assessments to uncover needs patients may not recognize themselves. The group also discusses early mobility, plain-language education, care transitions and the challenge of expanding access when demand far exceeds clinic capacity. This episode invites acute care clinicians to redefine success beyond extubation or ICU discharge and ask a more patient-centered question: What happens next? Recovery is a journey, and the work begins in the ICU but continues across every setting that follows. Listen now on Apple or Spotify. Today's Guest Rania Farhat, MD, MSHA, FCCP Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine Founder and Medical Director, SSM/SLUCare Post-ICU Multidisciplinary Clinic Medical Director, Pulmonary Embolism Response Team Email: rania.farhat@slucare.ssmhealth.com LinkedIn: Rania Farhat, MD, FCCP X: @raniafarhat88 Guest Quotes Timestamps are approximate. Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity. 8:00 — Dr. Farhat: “This is more of a recovery clinic than just, ‘Oh, ICU.' This is about recovery. It's a journey. It's not one time only.” 10:00 — Dr. Farhat: “The transition and the recovery is a very long process. I make sure to mention that to patients and their families, because expectations matter.” 17:00 — Dr. Farhat: “I'm trying to connect the dots in your brain. I want them to understand what actually happened to them.” 24:00 — Dr. Farhat: “The perceived physical tolerance for patients is completely different from what they actually can and cannot do.” 35:00 — Dr. Farhat: “Anything that actually impacts patients' lives and this long journey of recovery, I'm there for it.” Rapid Responses Favorite type of weather: Summer Shoes for the acute care floors: Running shoes—Brooks or New Balance Least favorite high school class: History Another possible profession: Engineering, to fit in with her family of engineers Favorite board game: Chess Movie she can recite: A Walk to Remember Favorite word in another language: “Alhamdulillah” in Arabic Favorite meal after a long day: Lebanese food You know you're an acute care or ICU provider when: “I comment on every scene in a medical show.” Episode Links Critical and Acute Illness Recovery Organization CAIRO Post-ICU Clinic Collaborative Directory International Walk for PICS Connect With Our Hosts Leo Arguelles Pronounced LEE-O R-GWELL-IS Email: largue2@uic.edu X: @LeoArguellesPT Nicole Neveau, PT, DPT, NCS Email: ngunder1@gmail.com LinkedIn: Nicole Neveau Danny Young, PT, DPT, PhD Email: daniel.young@unlv.edu X: @DLYoungDPTPhD Bluesky: @dlyoungdptphd.bsky.social Listen and Subscribe Spotify | Apple Podcasts Or listen wherever you get your podcasts. #AcuteCare #PostICUSyndrome #ICURecovery #PhysicalTherapy Interested in being a future guest? APTA Acute Care Optimizing Recovery, Elevating Care Website Awards Journal Access Aspire and Achieve Mentorship Program X: @AcuteCareAPTA Facebook: APTA Acute Care Instagram: @AcademyAcutePT YouTube: APTA Acute Care Podcast APTA Acute Care Resources APTA Adult Vital Signs APTA Lab Values Document Webinar Recordings
Recorded at EHRA 2026, this episode of The Lead features host Christopher Kowalewski, MD, in conversation with Christian Sohns, MD, and Pierre Jaïs, MD, about the journal article, 20 Years: Clinical Outcome After Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients With Symptomatic Drug-Refractory Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. Together, they discuss the study's long-term clinical outcomes following pulmonary vein isolation in patients with symptomatic drug-refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and explore the implications of two decades of follow-up. Learning Objectives: Review the long-term clinical outcomes reported after pulmonary vein isolation in patients with symptomatic drug-refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Discuss the implications of 20-year follow-up data for the treatment of patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation. Examine how long-term outcome data may inform clinical decision-making for catheter ablation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Host: Christopher Kowalewski, MD Guests: Christian Sohns, MD and Pierre Jaïs, MD Disclosures: C. Kowalewski No relevant disclosures C. Sohns No relevant disclosures P. Jaïs Ownership/Partnership/Prinicipal: inHEART Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Biosense Webster, Inc., Boston Scientific, Medtronic
Careth Arnold's Hardrock 100 debut was anything but ordinary. After finishing second in one of the toughest ultramarathons in the world, Careth joins Katie to share what really happened during her 30-hour journey through the San Juan Mountains. From months spent acclimating in Silverton to battling pulmonary edema, wildfire smoke, and the mental challenge of racing when everything starts to unravel, this is an honest conversation about resilience, perspective, and learning from one of the biggest tests of her career. Careth also reflects on balancing elite racing with motherhood, self-coaching, and why she's already looking ahead to UTMB. This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.A big shout out to our sponsor Precision Fuel & Hydration. Go to pfandh.com to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!
As part of the June issue, the European Respiratory Journal presents the latest in its series of podcasts. Deputy Chief Editor Don Sin interviews Melanie Königshoff (Center for Lung Aging and Regeneration, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, and Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA) about her Back to Basics review of the hallmarks of the ageing lung, published in this issue of the ERJ (https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.01272-2025). Cite this podcast as: ERJ Podcast June 2026: The ageing lung. Eur Respir J 2026; 67: 26E6706 [https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.E6706-2026].
Mehlman Qbanks: https://qbanks.mehlmanmedical.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/mehlman_medical/Main Website: https://mehlmanmedical.com/
Sarc Fighter: Living with Sarcoidosis and other rare diseases
Tate Basildon has been through it all. And he is still going through it. Pulmonary and cardiac sarcoidosis have invaded his life. He takes prednisone and suffers. Yet he says he wakes up every day lucky to be alive. Tate is a fellow podcaster who shares his stories on his own platform. In this episode of the FSR Sarc Fighter Podcast, he talks about the blows he's suffered at the hands of sarcoidosis, but how he still works as a chef and tries to keep his life on track. SHOW NOTES Tate's website and podcast: https://tatebasildon.com/ Sarcoidosis News Pulmonary relapse report: https://sarcoidosisnews.com/news/relapse-common-pulmonary-sarcoidosis-treatment-changes/ John's story from the White House on Col. John Ripley: https://www.wsls.com/video/news/2026/06/19/col-john-ripley-of-radford-receives-posthumous-medal-of-honor/ MORE FROM JOHN: Cycling with Sarcoidosis http://carlinthecyclist.com/category/cycling-with-sarcoidosis/ Do you like the official song for the Sarc Fighter podcast? It's also an FSR fundraiser! If you would like to donate in honor of Mark Steier and the song, Zombie, Here is a link to his KISS account. (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) 100-percent of the money goes to the Foundation. https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/MarkSteier The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/ Donate to my KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) fund for FSR https://stopsarcoidosis.rallybound.org/JohnCarlinVsSarcoidosis?fbclid=IwAR1g2ap1i1NCp6bQOYEFwOELdNEeclFmmLLcQQOQX_Awub1oe9bcEjK9P1E My story on Television https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/news-anchor-sarcoidosis/ email me carlinagency@gmail.com #sarcoidosis #sarcoidosisawareness #kidney #dermatology
In this episode, we review the high-yield topic of Pulmonary Medications from the Drugs section at Medbullets.comFollow Medbullets on social media:Facebook: www.facebook.com/medbulletsInstagram: www.instagram.com/medbulletsofficialTwitter: www.twitter.com/medbulletsLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/medbullets
Dr. Yogesh Saini speaks with Dr. Michael Yaeger and Dr. Kymberly Gowdy about their article, Docosahexaenoic Acid and Its Metabolites Protects Against Ozone-induced Pulmonary Inflammation.
In this episode of the UConn Internal Medicine Podcast Series, we discuss the evolving role of biologic therapies in asthma and COPD. We review how biologics target Type 2 inflammation, how to identify patients with severe asthma who may benefit from therapy, and how biomarkers such as blood eosinophils, FeNO, IgE, and allergic sensitization guide treatment selection.We also explore newly approved biologics for COPD, practical differences between available agents, expected benefits, steroid-sparing effects, safety considerations, pregnancy counseling, helminth screening, and real-world barriers such as cost and insurance approval.This episode is designed for internal medicine trainees and clinicians looking for a practical framework to understand when to consider biologics, how to choose the right agent, and what to monitor after starting therapy.Hosts:Dr. Hossam Albeyoumi Mohammed, and Dr. Simran Umra, Chief Medicine Residents, UConn.Dr. Alisa Pasichnik, and Dr. Caroline McCauley, 3rd year medicine residents, UConn.Guests:Dr. Ethan Bernstein, Associate Program Director of the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, UConn.Dr. Angela Quental, incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Pulmonary and Critical care medicine, UConn.Edited by:Dr. Hossam Albeyoumi Mohammed, Chief Medicine Resident, UConn.Music:LoFi Girl by Snoozy Beats | Free Music Archive | Livense: CC BY.
How do expert clinicians actually think? Why do diagnostic errors happen? And can artificial intelligence improve clinical reasoning without replacing physicians? In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Raja-Elie Abdulnour, Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Editor-in-Chief of NEJM Clinician and Chief Clinical Innovation Officer NEJM Group , to explore the evolving relationship between clinical reasoning and AI. We discuss how physicians develop diagnostic expertise, the cognitive biases behind medical errors, the rise of AI-powered clinical decision support tools, the future of augmented intelligence in healthcare, and why human judgment, communication, and trust remain essential in medicine. Whether you're a medical student, resident, practicing clinician, or simply curious about the future of healthcare, this conversation offers valuable insights into how AI may transform the way we diagnose, learn, and care for patients. Topics Covered: How expert clinicians think System 1 vs. System 2 reasoning Diagnostic errors and cognitive biases AI performance in clinical diagnosis ChatGPT and medical decision-making AI scribes and workflow efficiency Augmented intelligence in healthcare The future of physician-AI collaboration Preserving clinical skills in the AI era #ClinicalReasoning #ArtificialIntelligence #AIinMedicine #MedicalEducation #HealthcareInnovation #ChatGPT #NEJM #MedicalAI #DiagnosticReasoning #AugmentedIntelligence #PhysicianLeadership #DigitalHealth #PulmonaryCriticalCare #TheLebanesePhysiciansPodcast #MedicineFuture On YouTube @thelebanesephysicianspodcast @nejmgroup
Host Maja Nikolic is joined by Dr. Eric Therasse and Dr. Marin Halut to explore pulmonary arteriovenous malformations and why these seemingly small vascular abnormalities can lead to serious neurologic complications. Together, they discuss the connection to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, key imaging findings, embolization techniques, treatment strategies, and practical tips for achieving successful patient outcomes. Interventional Management of Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations: Imaging Primer. Halut et al. RadioGraphics 2026; 46(1):e250041.
CardioNerds (Amit and Dan), Billy Joe Mullinax, and Saahil Jumkhawala discuss the long term management of pulmonary embolism with Dr. Soophia Naydenov. The episode focuses on the approach to patients who struggle with persistent symptoms like dyspnea and fatigue even after completing the acute phase of anticoagulation. This spectrum of disease, ranging from mild post-PE impairment to chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), requires a structured follow-up. The discussion covers the critical importance of identifying CTEPH early, the necessary timelines for follow-up, and the appropriate objective screening tools and invasive testing to guide patient care toward full functional recovery. Audio editing by CardioNerds academy intern, Grace Qiu. Dr. Dinu Balanescu and Dr. Billy-Joe Mullinax are Co-chairs for the CardioNerds PE Series, developed in collaboration with the PERT Consortium. Enjoy this Circulation 2022 Paths to Discovery article to learn about the CardioNerds story, mission, and values. CardioNerds Pulmonary Embolism PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! Acronyms PE: Pulmonary Embolism PERT: Pulmonary Embolism Response Team CTEPH: Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension QL: Quality of Life VTE: Venous Thromboembolism DASH: D-dimer, Age, Sex, History of non-provoked PE (a risk score) CPET: Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing PFTs: Pulmonary Function Tests VQ Scan: Ventilation-Perfusion Scan DOACs: Direct Oral Anticoagulants TPA: Tissue Plasminogen Activator (Thrombolytics) ECMO: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Pearls: Post-PE “Syndrome” is a Spectrum: It is more accurately a spectrum of disease (sequelae of PE) rather than a single syndrome, ranging from mild fatigue/dyspnea to the most severe form, CTEPH. Structured Follow-up is Mandatory: All PE survivors need a structured follow-up, typically with checkpoints at 3, 6, 12, and 16–24 months, with the primary goal being to detect CTEPH, the deadliest, yet potentially curable, disease on the spectrum. Screening Should Be Objective and Practical: When screening for persistent symptoms, use objective assessment tools like the Post-VTE Functional Status (PVFS) scale or the Modified Medical Research Council (MMR-C) scale, as highly comprehensive but cumbersome tools (like the PE Quality of Life questionnaire) may not be practical for routine clinical use. Recurrence Risk Scores Aid in Anticoagulation Duration: Simple scores like the DASH score or the HERDO2 score (for women) can provide guidance when considering the continuation versus discontinuation of anticoagulation after the initial treatment phase. Invasive Testing for Persistent Symptoms: If a patient remains symptomatic at the 6-month mark despite normal non-invasive testing (chest X-ray, ECG, PFTs, six-minute walk, echo, VQ scan, CPET), consider invasive testing such as Right Heart Catheterization (RHC) at rest or with exercise, or an invasive CPET. Notes: Notes drafted by Saahil Jumkhawala. 1. The Spectrum of Post-PE Disease The term “post-PE syndrome” should be used with caution, as it refers to a spectrum of disease rather than a single entity. This spectrum includes symptoms (sequelae) that exist in a patient’s life following an incidental PE event that they did not have before. On one extreme is Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH): The definition is clear, but it is the most deadly type, though thankfully rare (2% to 4%). It involves a residual clot and pulmonary hypertension identifiable at rest. In the middle is Chronic Thromboembolic Disease (CTED): Patients may have residual defects seen on a VQ or CT scan, but they do not have pulmonary hypertension. On the other side is a milder disease, which can include fatigue, dyspnea, or a patient’s perceived impairment, where the definitions of CTEPH and CTED are not met, but the patient remains symptomatic. 2. Structured Follow-up and Screening for Post-PE Symptoms Structured follow-up is key for all PE survivors, though the structure may vary based on available resources (PCP, Cardiology, Pulmonary, or multidisciplinary clinic). Recommended Timeline for Follow-up: Data from studies like ELOPE and FOCUS suggest checkpoints at 3, 6, 12, and up to 16 to 24 months. This timeline is designed to identify patients who may develop CTEPH. 88% of patients who develop CTEPH will be identified within about a year. A structured follow-up can reduce the delay in CTEPH diagnosis from 10–12 months to 4–6 months. Personal Practice Note: A quick 2–3 week/30-day check-in is recommended for severely ill patients (e.g., those who had TPA, profound shock, or ECMO support) to ensure medication compliance, manage symptoms, and identify red flags. Screening Tools (Objective Assessment): The first step is an inventory of patient symptoms, leaning toward objective rather than subjective assessment. Recommended Simple Tools: Modified Medical Research Council (MMR-C) for dyspnea evaluation. Post-VTE Functional Status (PVFS) scale. The Pulmonary Embolism Quality of Life (QL) questionnaire is comprehensive but long, making it tedious and better suited for research. Future Utility: Technology (AI/electronic tools) may assist in administering these questionnaires before the clinic visit, presenting the information as a “dashboard” for the provider. 3. Management of Persistent Symptoms and Further Testing Initial Non-Invasive Tests (Often done at 3 months): Echocardiogram VQ Scan Full PFTs Six-minute walk CPET Further Evaluation for Persistent Symptoms (e.g., at 6 months): If non-invasive tests (Chest X-ray, ECG, CPET) are normal but symptoms persist, more invasive testing should be considered as the patient has not returned to baseline. Repeat VQ scan or echocardiogram if symptoms have changed. Right Heart Catheterization (RHC) at rest or with exercise. Invasive CPET. PA gram (Pulmonary Angiogram) to assess vasculature. 4. Recurrence Risk and Anticoagulation Duration The decision to continue or discontinue anticoagulation depends on the patient’s risk factors, the situation of the PE (provoked or unprovoked), presence of active cancer, and patient preference. Recurrence Risk Scores: Simple scores are preferred for practicality. DASH Score. HERDO2 Score (particularly for women). The Vienna Score can be considered if the question is whether to restart anticoagulation after a disruption. Role of D-dimer in Abbreviation: While D-dimer can be used to guide the decision to restart anticoagulation after a planned pause (if D-dimer is high, resume), patient symptoms are preferable to guide management decisions like early abbreviation. 5. Prevention of Post-PE Syndrome Currently, there is no clear tool known to prevent the post-PE syndrome/spectrum of disease. Best Current Advice for Prevention/Recovery: Anticoagulation compliance. Pulmonary rehabilitation, which aids in faster recovery. General precautions, such as smoking cessation and body weight management. Future Research: Ongoing trials are investigating whether acute management strategies (e.g., using thrombolytics in intermediate-risk PE) can prevent long-term sequelae. (The PYTHO trial did not show a reduced rate of CTEPH in intermediate-risk PE patients who received thrombolytics). References: Khan, F., Tritschler, T., Kahn, S. R., & Rodger, M. A. “Venous Thromboembolism.” The Lancet, vol. 398, no. 10294, 2021, pp. 64-77. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32658-1. Kearon, C., & Kahn, S. R. “Long-Term Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism.” Blood, vol. 135, no. 5, 2020, pp. 317-325. doi:10.1182/blood.2019002364. Kahn, S. R., & de Wit, K. “Pulmonary Embolism.” The New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 387, no. 1, 2022, pp. 45-57. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp2116489. Di Nisio, M., van Es, N., & Büller, H. R. “Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism.” The Lancet, vol. 388, no. 10063, 2016, pp. 3060-3073. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30514-1. Chopard, R., Albertsen, I. E., & Piazza, G. “Diagnosis and Treatment of Lower Extremity Venous Thromboembolism: A Review.” JAMA, vol. 324, no. 17, 2020, pp. 1765-1776. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.17272.
This week we go back 2.5 years and delve into the world of cardiovascular surgery when we review a review of STS data on the pulmonary artery band (PAB). The STS assigns a STAT category of 4 to this operation, denoting higher risk for mortality. Is this warranted? Are all PAB candidates equal? What features are associated with higher or lower mortality rates in patients undergoing banding? Should the data in this work drive innovation to avoid the PAB in some settings? These are amongst the questions posed to the senior author of this week's work, cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Tara Karamlou who is Professor of Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2023.09.020
Andy Cumpstey and Mike Grocott interview Kate Leslie about the SNaPP study (Sugammadex, Neostigmine, and Postoperative Pulmonary Complications). SNaPP is a pragmatic randomized study run from the University of Melbourne with the ANZCA Clinical Trials Network across 45 sites in Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong. Patients aged 40+ having major abdominal or thoracic surgery (≥2 hours, overnight stay) were randomized after induction to reversal with sugammadex or neostigmine, with anesthetists unblinded and encouraged to use quantitative neuromuscular monitoring. In this podcast Andy, Mike and Kate discuss the results and their implications for anaesthetists and healthcare systems. Find the paper here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(26)00158-X/fulltext -- Join us at Evidence Based Perioperative Medicine (EBPOM) World Congress 2026 in London. Be part of a global conversation as clinicians from around the world gather between 7-9th July at the British Library in London. Three days of evidence-based perioperative medicine, global insights, and expert debate—featuring speakers including Michael Marmot and Ken Rockwood. Register here - https://ebpom.org/product/ebpom-world-congress-2026/
Dr. Stephanie Maximous chats with Dr. Timothy Rowe about his paper, "Impact of Simulation-Based Mastery Learning on Management of Massive Hemoptysis."
Commentary by Dr. Jian'an Wang.
CardioNerds (Dr. Billy-Joe Mullinax, Dr. Dinu Balanescu, and Dr. Jane Ehret) discuss risk stratification in acute pulmonary embolism with Dr. Stavros Konstantinides, Chair of the 2019 ESC Pulmonary Embolism Guidelines. Using a real-world case, this episode explores how modern PE care has moved beyond “massive” and “submassive” labels toward a dynamic, physiology-based approach. The discussion highlights the limitations of static risk scores, the importance of right ventricular dysfunction and biomarkers, and why normotension does not imply stability. Special emphasis is placed on intermediate-high risk PE, early identification of impending hemodynamic collapse, and the role of lactate, serial reassessment, and PERT teams in guiding escalation of care. Audio editing by CardioNerds intern, Joshua Khorsandi.The 2026 American multi-society PE guidelines were published after this episode was recorded. Dr. Dinu Balanescu and Dr. Billy-Joe Mullinax are Co-chairs for the CardioNerds PE Series, developed in collaboration with the PERT Consortium. Enjoy this Circulation 2022 Paths to Discovery article to learn about the CardioNerds story, mission, and values. CardioNerds Pulmonary Embolism PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! Pearls Stable blood pressure does not mean low risk in PEHypotension is a late finding. Patients may have severe RV failure, hypoxia, and tissue hypoperfusion while remaining normotensive — a key concept behind “normotensive shock.” Risk stratification in PE must be dynamic, not staticLegacy scores like PESI and Bova provide a snapshot and predict 30-day mortality, but they do not capture short-term trajectory or impending hemodynamic collapse. Intermediate-high risk PE is a dangerous and heterogeneous groupPatients with RV dysfunction, positive biomarkers, tachycardia, hypoxemia, and elevated lactate may have in-hospital mortality approaching 15%, rivaling STEMI. Lactate is a critical but underutilized marker in PEElevated lactate reflects tissue hypoxia and early circulatory failure and may identify patients at risk for collapse before blood pressure declines. PERT enables physiology-driven, patient-centered PE carePERT teams operationalize continuous reassessment, integrate imaging, labs, and clinical trajectory, and allow timely escalation — shifting PE management from rigid categories to real-time decision-making. Notes Drafted by Dr. Jane Ehret. 1. What is the contemporary framework for risk stratification in acute pulmonary embolism? Modern PE risk stratification prioritizes hemodynamics and right ventricular (RV) function rather than clot burden. The 2019 ESC Guidelines classify PE into high risk, intermediate risk (low vs high), and low risk, based on: Hemodynamic status, RV dysfunction on imaging, and Cardiac biomarkers. This framework emphasizes early mortality risk but requires clinical context to guide escalation decisions. 2. Why is normotension insufficient to define “stability” in PE? Blood pressure is a late marker of circulatory failure in PE. Patients can maintain normal BP through Tachycardia, Increased sympathetic tone, and RV compensation. Many patients with preserved BP may already have shock physiology, including hypoxemia, elevated lactate, and RV failure — sometimes referred to as “normotensive shock.” 3. How should intermediate-risk PE be conceptualized clinically? Intermediate-risk PE is heterogeneous, ranging from patients who do well on anticoagulation to those who deteriorate rapidly. Intermediate-high risk PE is defined by RV dysfunction on imaging and positive cardiac biomarkers. Clinical features such as tachycardia, increasing oxygen requirement, and elevated lactate identify patients at highest risk within this group. 4. What are the strengths and limitations of commonly used PE risk scores? Legacy scores are useful for initial risk categorization but are static and limited in predicting short-term deterioration. Most scores were developed to predict mortality or complications at fixed time points rather than dynamic clinical trajectory. 5. What are the commonly used risk scores and clinical tools in PE, and what is each designed to predict? ESC Risk Stratification Algorithm: Identifies high-risk PE by hemodynamics. Uses PESI or sPESI in normotensive patients to distinguish low-risk from non–low-risk PE. Uses RV dysfunction and biomarkers to differentiate intermediate-low from intermediate-high risk. Forms the basis of many institutional PE pathways. PESI and sPESI: Validated to predict 30-day mortality. Widely used to identify low-risk patients appropriate for outpatient management. Heavily influenced by age and comorbidities. Bova Score: Predicts 30-day PE-related complications in normotensive patients. Composite PE Shock Score (CPES): Predicts normotensive shock in hemodynamically stable PE patients. Pulmonary Embolism Progression (PEP) Score: Predicts progression from intermediate-risk to high-risk PE within 72 hours of diagnosis. PE Short-term Clinical Outcomes Risk Estimation (PE-SCORE): Predicts clinical deterioration or death within 5 days of PE diagnosis. Hestia Criteria: Identifies low-risk PE patients safe for outpatient treatment. Wells' Criteria and Revised Geneva Score: Determine pretest probability for diagnostic triage. PERC Score: Rules out PE in very low-risk patients. 6. What is the role of biomarkers in PE risk stratification? Troponin and natriuretic peptides reflect RV myocardial injury and strain. Current guidelines treat biomarkers as binary (positive vs negative), despite risk being continuous. Biomarkers are most helpful for: Initial risk classification. They are less useful for: Short-interval monitoring and Detecting rapid clinical deterioration. 7. Why is lactate an important physiologic marker in PE? Lactate reflects global tissue hypoxia and impaired perfusion. Elevated lactate may identify patients with: Early circulatory failure and Increased risk of imminent hemodynamic collapse. Lactate is not currently included in ESC risk algorithms but may add important prognostic information in intermediate-risk patients. 8. How does trajectory influence decision-making in PE management? Risk stratification should be viewed as a dynamic process, not a one-time label. Worsening clinical trajectory may include: Rising heart rate, Increasing oxygen needs, Rising lactate, and Progressive RV dysfunction. Serial reassessment is essential for timely escalation of care. 9. What role do Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams (PERT) play in risk stratification? PERT facilitates: Multidisciplinary decision-making and Integration of imaging, biomarkers, and clinical physiology. PERT is most valuable for: Intermediate-risk and high-risk PE and Patients with complex comorbidities or uncertain trajectory. PERT enables a shift from category-based to physiology-driven PE care. References 1. Konstantinides SV, Meyer G, Becattini C, et al. 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism developed in collaboration with the European Respiratory Society (ERS): The Task Force for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Respir J. 2019;54(3):1901647. Published 2019 Oct 9. doi:10.1183/13993003.01647-2019 2. Leidi A, Bex S, Righini M, Berner A, Grosgurin O, Marti C. Risk Stratification in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Current Evidence and Perspectives. J Clin Med. 2022;11(9):2533. Published 2022 Apr 30. doi:10.3390/jcm11092533 3. Choi WH, Kwon SU, Jwa YJ, et al. The pulmonary embolism severity index in predicting the prognosis of patients with pulmonary embolism. Korean J Intern Med. 2009;24(2):123-127. doi:10.3904/kjim.2009.24.2.123 4. Jiménez D, Aujesky D, Moores L, et al. Simplification of the pulmonary embolism severity index for prognostication in patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism. Arch Intern Med. 2010;170(15):1383-1389. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2010.199 5. Chen X, Shao X, Zhang Y, et al. Assessment of the Bova score for risk stratification of acute normotensive pulmonary embolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Thromb Res. 2020;193:99-106. doi:10.1016/j.thromres.2020.05.047 6. Zhang RS, Yuriditsky E, Zhang P, et al. Composite Pulmonary Embolism Shock Score and Risk of Adverse Outcomes in Patients With Pulmonary Embolism. Circ Cardiovasc Interv. 2024;17(8):e014088. doi:10.1161/CIRCINTERVENTIONS.124.014088 7. Zhang RS, Alam U, Sharp ASP, et al. Validating the Composite Pulmonary Embolism Shock Score for Predicting Normotensive Shock in Intermediate-Risk Pulmonary Embolism. Circ Cardiovasc Interv. 2024;17(2):e013399. doi:10.1161/CIRCINTERVENTIONS.123.013399 8. Ehret J, Wakefield D, Badlam J, Antkowiak M, Erdreich B. Development of the Pulmonary Embolism Progression (PEP) score for predicting short-term clinical deterioration in intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism: a single-center retrospective study. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2025;58(2):243-253. doi:10.1007/s11239-024-03051-5 9. Weekes AJ, Raper JD, Lupez K, et al. Development and validation of a prognostic tool: Pulmonary embolism short-term clinical outcomes risk estimation (PE-SCORE). PLoS One. 2021;16(11):e0260036. Published 2021 Nov 18. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0260036 10. Zondag W, Hiddinga BI, Crobach MJ, et al. Hestia criteria can discriminate high- from low-risk patients with pulmonary embolism. Eur Respir J. 2013;41(3):588-592. doi:10.1183/09031936.00030412 11. Wells PS, Anderson DR, Rodger M, et al. Excluding pulmonary embolism at the bedside without diagnostic imaging: management of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism presenting to the emergency department by using a simple clinical model and d-dimer. Ann Intern Med. 2001;135(2):98-107. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-135-2-200107170-00010 12. Wolf SJ, McCubbin TR, Feldhaus KM, Faragher JP, Adcock DM. Prospective validation of Wells Criteria in the evaluation of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. Ann Emerg Med. 2004;44(5):503-510. doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2004.04.002 13. Le Gal G, Righini M, Roy PM, et al. Prediction of pulmonary embolism in the emergency department: the revised Geneva score. Ann Intern Med. 2006;144(3):165-171. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-144-3-200602070-00004 14. Kline JA, Mitchell AM, Kabrhel C, Richman PB, Courtney DM. Clinical criteria to prevent unnecessary diagnostic testing in emergency department patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. J Thromb Haemost. 2004;2(8):1247-1255. doi:10.1111/j.1538-7836.2004.00790.x 15. Kline JA, Courtney DM, Kabrhel C, et al. Prospective multicenter evaluation of the pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria. J Thromb Haemost. 2008;6(5):772-780. doi:10.1111/j.1538-7836.2008.02944.x
PainExam Podcast Show Notes Compression Fractures, Vertebroplasty, Kyphoplasty & Occipital Neuralgia for the ABA Pain Medicine Boards In this episode of the PainExam Podcast, Dr. David Rosenblum reviews two frequently tested topics on the ABA Pain Medicine Board Examination: Occipital Neuralgia and Vertebral Compression Fractures, including the indications, techniques, complications, and evidence surrounding vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Whether you are preparing for the ABA Pain Medicine Boards, ABPM, ABIPP, FIPP, or simply looking to strengthen your interventional pain knowledge, this episode covers essential board pearls, anatomy, diagnosis, imaging findings, and treatment options. Episode Highlights Occipital Neuralgia Topics discussed include: Anatomy of the greater, lesser, and third occipital nerves C2 dorsal ramus anatomy and clinical relevance Diagnostic criteria for occipital neuralgia Differentiating occipital neuralgia from: Cervicogenic headache Migraine Cluster headache Tension headache Physical examination findings Occipital nerve blocks Pulsed radiofrequency ablation Cryoneurolysis Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) Board Pearl The greater occipital nerve originates from the dorsal ramus of C2 and temporary pain relief following a diagnostic occipital nerve block strongly supports the diagnosis. Vertebral Compression Fractures Topics reviewed include: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures Thoracolumbar fracture patterns MRI findings STIR sequence interpretation Patient selection for vertebral augmentation Conservative treatment versus intervention Vertebroplasty technique Kyphoplasty technique Cement leakage and other complications Evidence supporting vertebral augmentation procedures Board Pearl Bone marrow edema on MRI STIR imaging is one of the most important findings suggesting an acute compression fracture. Kyphoplasty vs Vertebroplasty Vertebroplasty Direct injection of PMMA cement into the vertebral body Stabilizes micro-motion within the fracture Can provide rapid pain relief Kyphoplasty Balloon tamp creates a cavity before cement placement May partially restore vertebral body height May reduce risk of cement extravasation Often preferred in selected patients with significant vertebral collapse Commonly Tested Complications Cement leakage Pulmonary cement embolism Adjacent level fractures Infection Neurologic injury (rare) High-Yield ABA Pain Medicine Keywords Occipital Neuralgia Greater Occipital Nerve C2 Dorsal Ramus Third Occipital Nerve Cervicogenic Headache Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Vertebral Compression Fracture Kyphoplasty Vertebroplasty PMMA Cement STIR MRI Osteoporosis Cement Extravasation Upcoming Educational Meetings & Conferences 2026 ASPN Annual Meeting – Miami Learn more about the upcoming meeting hosted by the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience:
PainExam Podcast Show Notes Compression Fractures, Vertebroplasty, Kyphoplasty & Occipital Neuralgia for the ABA Pain Medicine Boards In this episode of the PainExam Podcast, Dr. David Rosenblum reviews two frequently tested topics on the ABA Pain Medicine Board Examination: Occipital Neuralgia and Vertebral Compression Fractures, including the indications, techniques, complications, and evidence surrounding vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Whether you are preparing for the ABA Pain Medicine Boards, ABPM, ABIPP, FIPP, or simply looking to strengthen your interventional pain knowledge, this episode covers essential board pearls, anatomy, diagnosis, imaging findings, and treatment options. Episode Highlights Occipital Neuralgia Topics discussed include: Anatomy of the greater, lesser, and third occipital nerves C2 dorsal ramus anatomy and clinical relevance Diagnostic criteria for occipital neuralgia Differentiating occipital neuralgia from: Cervicogenic headache Migraine Cluster headache Tension headache Physical examination findings Occipital nerve blocks Pulsed radiofrequency ablation Cryoneurolysis Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) Board Pearl The greater occipital nerve originates from the dorsal ramus of C2 and temporary pain relief following a diagnostic occipital nerve block strongly supports the diagnosis. Vertebral Compression Fractures Topics reviewed include: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures Thoracolumbar fracture patterns MRI findings STIR sequence interpretation Patient selection for vertebral augmentation Conservative treatment versus intervention Vertebroplasty technique Kyphoplasty technique Cement leakage and other complications Evidence supporting vertebral augmentation procedures Board Pearl Bone marrow edema on MRI STIR imaging is one of the most important findings suggesting an acute compression fracture. Kyphoplasty vs Vertebroplasty Vertebroplasty Direct injection of PMMA cement into the vertebral body Stabilizes micro-motion within the fracture Can provide rapid pain relief Kyphoplasty Balloon tamp creates a cavity before cement placement May partially restore vertebral body height May reduce risk of cement extravasation Often preferred in selected patients with significant vertebral collapse Commonly Tested Complications Cement leakage Pulmonary cement embolism Adjacent level fractures Infection Neurologic injury (rare) High-Yield ABA Pain Medicine Keywords Occipital Neuralgia Greater Occipital Nerve C2 Dorsal Ramus Third Occipital Nerve Cervicogenic Headache Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Vertebral Compression Fracture Kyphoplasty Vertebroplasty PMMA Cement STIR MRI Osteoporosis Cement Extravasation Upcoming Educational Meetings & Conferences 2026 ASPN Annual Meeting – Miami Learn more about the upcoming meeting hosted by the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience:
PainExam Podcast Show Notes Compression Fractures, Vertebroplasty, Kyphoplasty & Occipital Neuralgia for the ABA Pain Medicine Boards In this episode of the PainExam Podcast, Dr. David Rosenblum reviews two frequently tested topics on the ABA Pain Medicine Board Examination: Occipital Neuralgia and Vertebral Compression Fractures, including the indications, techniques, complications, and evidence surrounding vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Whether you are preparing for the ABA Pain Medicine Boards, ABPM, ABIPP, FIPP, or simply looking to strengthen your interventional pain knowledge, this episode covers essential board pearls, anatomy, diagnosis, imaging findings, and treatment options. Episode Highlights Occipital Neuralgia Topics discussed include: Anatomy of the greater, lesser, and third occipital nerves C2 dorsal ramus anatomy and clinical relevance Diagnostic criteria for occipital neuralgia Differentiating occipital neuralgia from: Cervicogenic headache Migraine Cluster headache Tension headache Physical examination findings Occipital nerve blocks Pulsed radiofrequency ablation Cryoneurolysis Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) Board Pearl The greater occipital nerve originates from the dorsal ramus of C2 and temporary pain relief following a diagnostic occipital nerve block strongly supports the diagnosis. Vertebral Compression Fractures Topics reviewed include: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures Thoracolumbar fracture patterns MRI findings STIR sequence interpretation Patient selection for vertebral augmentation Conservative treatment versus intervention Vertebroplasty technique Kyphoplasty technique Cement leakage and other complications Evidence supporting vertebral augmentation procedures Board Pearl Bone marrow edema on MRI STIR imaging is one of the most important findings suggesting an acute compression fracture. Kyphoplasty vs Vertebroplasty Vertebroplasty Direct injection of PMMA cement into the vertebral body Stabilizes micro-motion within the fracture Can provide rapid pain relief Kyphoplasty Balloon tamp creates a cavity before cement placement May partially restore vertebral body height May reduce risk of cement extravasation Often preferred in selected patients with significant vertebral collapse Commonly Tested Complications Cement leakage Pulmonary cement embolism Adjacent level fractures Infection Neurologic injury (rare) High-Yield ABA Pain Medicine Keywords Occipital Neuralgia Greater Occipital Nerve C2 Dorsal Ramus Third Occipital Nerve Cervicogenic Headache Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Vertebral Compression Fracture Kyphoplasty Vertebroplasty PMMA Cement STIR MRI Osteoporosis Cement Extravasation Upcoming Educational Meetings & Conferences 2026 ASPN Annual Meeting – Miami Learn more about the upcoming meeting hosted by the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience:
Today, Peggy Burkhard talks with Dr. Amar Kelkar of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute about the medical side of survivorship after bone marrow, stem cell, or CAR-T transplant. The conversation begins with the important shift from the urgent “save my life” phase to the longer “protect my health” phase. Dr. Kelkar explains that this transition often starts around the 100-day mark, though timing varies by transplant center, geographical region and patient needs. A major theme is the need to restart routine care that may have been paused during transplant. Dental care, dermatology, ophthalmology, and primary care all become important again. Dental visits are especially important because oral graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) can cause dry mouth, irritation, cavities, and other problems. Skin checks matter because transplant can increase the risk of skin cancers. Dr. Kelkar stresses annual dermatology visits, sun protection, SPF 50 or higher, protective clothing, and smart decisions about sun exposure. Fatigue is another central topic. Dr. Kelkar describes post-transplant fatigue as different from normal tiredness. It can feel deep, physical, and mental, and it may last for months or even years. He encourages patients to pace themselves, listen to their bodies, and build activity back slowly. Returning to work also needs to be individualized. Some patients work remotely during treatment, while others may need extended disability or a gradual return. The episode also covers immune recovery and repeat vaccinations. Dr. Kelkar explains that after transplant, the immune system has been reset, and many childhood vaccines need to be repeated. Most programs begin revaccination around six, nine, or 12 months, depending on immune suppression and other factors. He reassures listeners that many patients have fewer vaccine symptoms early on because their immune systems are still rebuilding. Dr. Kelkar also reviews long-term screening and prevention. Survivors need routine cancer screenings, including mammograms, colonoscopies, lung cancer screening when appropriate, skin exams, and monitoring for thyroid or other changes. Metabolic health is also important. Steroids can affect blood sugar, transplant can change body composition, and quick weight loss often includes muscle loss. Nutrition support and exercise programs can help, and Peggy notes that Blood Cancer United offers nutrition services for patients and caregivers. Blood Cancer United's nutrition program provides free one-on-one consultations with oncology dietitians by phone or email. Bone health, hormone changes, sexual health, and early aging are also discussed. Dr. Kelkar explains that steroids, menopause, testosterone changes, vitamin D deficiency, and time indoors can affect bones. Many centers use DEXA scans and vitamin D supplementation. He also encourages patients to bring up sexual health concerns, including menopause symptoms, low testosterone, pain with intercourse, ulcers, or fear about resuming intimacy. The episode closes with practical advice for everyday life. Food restrictions often loosen around 100 days, but patients should reintroduce foods slowly and carefully. Raw foods, alcohol, tobacco, and inhaled smoke should generally be avoided, especially during the first year. Dr. Kelkar also emphasizes mental health support, counseling, and honest conversations with the medical team. Survivorship is a bumpy road, but the goal is to help patients regain control and thrive. Blood Cancer United Nutrition Offerings: https://bloodcancerunited.org/blood-cancer-care/adults/food-nutrition Thanks to this season's sponsors, Incyte and Sanofi. (00:00) Intro (01:16) Moving from acute treatment to survivorship (02:17) Dental, dermatology, ophthalmology, and routine care (05:45) Fatigue after transplant versus normal tiredness (08:35) Pacing yourself and avoiding setbacks (10:26) Returning to work after transplant (12:24) Resetting the immune system and repeat vaccinations (16:07) Secondary malignancy prevention and cancer screenings (18:59) Sun protection and skin cancer prevention (20:23) Metabolic health, blood sugar, and weight management (23:58) Bone health, vitamin D, DEXA scans, and early aging (29:32) Sexual health and hormonal changes (32:43) Everyday living after transplant (36:07) Psychological and cognitive hurdles in survivorship (38:16) Pulmonary function tests and liver monitoring (40:42) Closing thoughts National Bone Marrow Transplant Link - (800) LINK-BMT, or (800) 546-5268.nbmtLINK Website: https://www.nbmtlink.org/Check out our valued nbmtLINK resource books, some for sale, some free as downloadable, https://www.nbmtlink.org/shop/nbmtLINK Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/nbmtLINKFollow the nbmtLINK on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/nbmtlink/The nbmtLINK YouTube Page can be found by clicking here.This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is crucial to consult directly with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical conditions, treatment options, or other health concerns.The views and opinions expressed by the speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the nbmtLINK. Unless otherwise stated in an official policy, the nbmtLINK does not endorse any specific treatments, products, or services mentioned by the speakers. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.The Marrow Masters Podcast is produced by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Pulmonary AVM may be rare, but missing them can lead to lifelong complications, especially in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). How do you choose the right device and strategy to ensure long-term success with embolization? In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, host Dr. Kavi Krishnasamy is joined by Dr. Brian Funaki and Dr. Nima Kokabi to unpack the evolving treatment landscape for pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVM). Through imaging breakdown, review of challenging real-world cases, and a discussion on advanced treatment strategies, the conversation tackles a key debate in pulmonary embolization: are plugs replacing coils as the new standard? --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- This podcast is supported by Okamihttps://okamimedical.com/ --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction01:43 - Defining HHT and PAVM05:53 - Democratizing Interventions for HHT Patients08:83 - Recommendations to Embolize PAVM13:19 - Imaging Specificity and Procedural Preferences23:29 - Persistence Rates with Plugs and Coils25:59 - Lag in Utilization of Plugs29:18 - Comparison of LOBO to Alternative Vascular Plugs34:26 - Post Embolization Symptoms and Troubleshooting Methods39:04 - PAVM Cases and Treatments54:26 - Wrap Up and Credits --- More about this episode The discussion begins by defining HHT and PAVM, highlighting the risks associated with untreated PAVM and the critical need for genetic screening and multi-organ evaluation. Drs. Funaki and Kokabi review current treatment recommendations, surveillance imaging, and follow-up protocols, with special considerations for pediatric and high-risk patients. They explore practical tips for optimizing embolization performance, focusing on device selection and the evolving role of vascular plugs. By comparing different plug designs, such as wire count and pore size, and sharing lessons from challenging cases, including persistent lesions, tortuous anatomy, and pseudoaneurysm management, they provide advanced troubleshooting and decision-making strategies to achieve more durable, successful PAVM treatments. --- BackTable Vascular & Interventional (VI) is the go-to podcast for interventional radiologists, vascular surgeons, and interventional cardiologists. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app
A mother, advocate and one woman's global fight for access. Beth Vanstone is working to ensure rare disease patients don't have to wait for the treatments they need to survive. Sometimes the most powerful friendships begin in the most unexpected places. Beth Vanstone and I first connected on social media. At the time, we were simply two moms navigating the complicated, emotional, and relentless world of cystic fibrosis. But eventually the online messages turned into something more meaningful. Then, Beth attended one of The Bonnell Foundation's Gala events. That's when we finally met in person. And from that moment on, we became dear friends. It's proof that social media, when used for connection and purpose, can build incredible relationships. But what inspires me most about Beth isn't just our friendship. It's her relentless determination. Beth is the mother of Madi, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at just eight months old. Suddenly Beth was navigating a healthcare system, researching treatments, learning medical language, and fighting for her daughter's future. Beth didn't stop there. Instead of focusing only on her own family, she chose to fight for every family. Today, Beth is a powerful advocate in Canada and a member of the Ontario Rare Action Group, where she works to improve access to life-saving therapies for people living with rare diseases like Cystic Fibrosis. And the reality she's fighting against is one many people don't understand. Most healthcare systems, not just in Canada but around the world were built to treat common diseases. They weren't designed for rare conditions that affect smaller populations. Because of that, patients with rare diseases often face enormous barriers: long approval timelines, delayed access to medications, and exhausting advocacy battles just to receive treatments that already exist. In some cases, patients wait months — even years — for medications that could dramatically improve or extend their lives. Beth is working to change that. Through her advocacy, she's pushing for reforms that could make a real difference for patients across Canada and beyond: • Faster access to innovative therapies • Improved newborn screening programs • Better diagnostic pathways • Centers of excellence for rare diseases • Removing financial barriers like deductibles that prevent families from accessing public programs And she's also raising an important global conversation. Here in the United States, lawmakers have debated policies like the Most Favored Nation Model, which look to international drug pricing systems like those in Canada and Europe as a model. But Beth reminds us that every system has challenges, and for rare disease patients, those challenges can be life-changing. Because when access to medication is delayed… Access is denied. And that's why advocacy across borders matters. She's not just advocating for her daughter. She's advocating for every patient still waiting for their breakthrough. And today, we're talking about what needs to change and how all of us can help make it happen. Please like, subscribe, and comment on our podcasts!Please consider making a donation: https://thebonnellfoundation.org/donate/The Bonnell Foundation website:https://thebonnellfoundation.orgEmail us at: thebonnellfoundation@gmail.com Watch our podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@laurabonnell1136/featuredThanks to our sponsors:Vertex: https://www.vrtx.comViatris: https://www.viatris.com/enRead us on Substack: https://substack.com/@lstb?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-pageWatch our trailer of Embracing Egypt: https://youtu.be/RYjlB25Cr9Y
On this episode Gil and Gregg welcome Dr. Sai Praveen Haranath, Senior Vice President for Medical and Strategy at Apollo HealthAxis and Senior Consultant in Pulmonary and Critical Care at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad. Their conversation picks up where a chance green-room meeting at BioAsia 2026 left off. What follows is a candid, wide-ranging dialogue on the future of medicine: tele-critical care delivered from a command center in India to hospitals in rural America and the island of Fiji; AI tools that could restore empathy to time-starved clinicians; a 4.5-billion-person global access gap that demands urgent innovation; and Apollo's four-decade bet that prevention, technology, and human connection belong together. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen
Raja-Elie Abdulnour is the Chief Clinical Innovation Officer at NEJM Group and an associate physician in the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Division at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Stephen Morrissey, the interviewer, is the Executive Managing Editor of the Journal. A. Sikora, L.A. Celi, and R.-E.E. Abdulnour. Can AI Say “I Don't Know”? N Engl J Med 2026;394:1873-1875.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a critical condition often overlooked in respiratory care. In the first in a series of podcasts about PAH, Brie Soldano, MBA, RRT, RRT-NPS, Respiratory Therapist‑Lead at Nemours Children's Hospital, and Lisa Fuchs, EdD, MHA, RRT, CHWC, FAARC, FNAP, AARC Director of Education, discuss the vital role respiratory therapists play in early detection and intervention. Brie highlights her experiences and actionable insights to improve patient outcomes while underscoring the importance of proactive care in managing PAH, especially in newborns with congenital heart defects. AARC thanks Linde and Mallinckrodt for their support of this episode of the AARC Perspectives Podcast. Send us your thoughts on this podcastThank you for listening! Learn more at aarc.org
In this episode, we review the high-yield topic of Methylxanthines from the Pulmonary section at Medbullets.comFollow Medbullets on social media:Facebook: www.facebook.com/medbulletsInstagram: www.instagram.com/medbulletsofficialTwitter: www.twitter.com/medbulletsLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/medbullets
Beyond the Pearls: Cases for Med School, Residency and Beyond (An InsideTheBoards Podcast)
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Episode 243 NPTEFF Pulmonary Auscultation: Breath Sounds and What They Mean
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CardioNerds Drs. Dinu Balanescu, Billy-Joe Mullinax, and Mariana Garcia discuss systemic thrombolysis in pulmonary embolism with expert Dr. Allison Burnett. Audio editing by CardioNerds Academy intern, student doctor, Pace Wetstein. Pulmonary embolism is the third leading cause of cardiovascular death in the US, and high-risk PE carries a 30-day mortality risk as high as 30-50%. In this episode, we discuss the indications for systemic thrombolysis, including high-risk PE and cardiac arrest. We addressed how to appropriately select candidates for systemic thrombolysis, balancing the high risk of bleeding. Additionally, we discussed anticoagulation management and timing concurrent with lytic therapy, as well as the importance of multidisciplinary PERT teams. The 2026 American multi-society PE guidelines were published after this episode was recorded. Dr. Dinu Balanescu and Dr. Billy-Joe Mullinax are Co-chairs for the CardioNerds PE Series, developed in collaboration with the PERT Consortium. Enjoy this Circulation 2022 Paths to Discovery article to learn about the CardioNerds story, mission, and values. CardioNerds Pulmonary Embolism PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! Pearls Risk stratification is crucial in acute pulmonary embolism care. Based on the ESC 2019 guidelines, low-risk PE patients are those who are normotensive with no evidence of right ventricular dysfunction. Intermediate risk includes two categories: intermediate-low, with normotensive patients who have a high PE score with negative biomarkers, and intermediate-high risk, which has elevated biomarkers or signs of RV strain. High-risk PE includes hemodynamically unstable patients (SBP
OsteoBites welcomes Caroline Maloney, MD, PhD, from the Medical College of Wisconsin, who will discuss her research on surgery-accelerated metastasis and developing perioperative therapies.Pulmonary metastasis remains the major cause of death in osteosarcoma. The timing of metastatic relapse defines clinically meaningful subgroups in osteosarcoma with patients who relapse within 6–12 months of surgical removal of their primary tumor having markedly worse survival (10-20%) than those who relapse after completion of therapy (40-50%). While surgical removal of the primary tumor is a fundamental component of the clinical care of solid tumors, surgery induces transient but profound changes in immune and inflammatory responses that can paradoxically accelerate the growth of metastatic disease. Dr. Maloney has demonstrated that surgical removal of the primary tumor accelerates the growth of pre-existing pulmonary metastatic disease and promotes expansion of M2‐like macrophages in the lung microenvironment. Strikingly, short term perioperative treatment with a RIPK2 inhibitor blocks this effect and reprograms macrophages toward an M1-like phenotype, implicating the NOD2–RIPK2 innate immune pathway as a key mediator of post‐surgical immune reprogramming. In contrast, the NOD2 agonist Mifamurtide has shown clinical efficacy when administered as adjuvant therapy to metastatic osteosarcoma patients after primary tumor resection. This data suggests that NOD/RIPK2 signaling may exert context-dependent effects, promoting either pro- or anti-tumor myeloid responses depending on the timing of activation relative to surgery. Understanding how surgical tumor removal alters systemic innate immunity and how RIPK2 signaling orchestrates these responses could identify new strategies to prevent early pulmonary relapse after surgery.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) changed the dollar value of a statistical life in January 2026, essentially dropping it to zero. What does that mean for the average American? As Anthony Gerber, MD, PhD, University of Kentucky, explains to Air Health Our Health host Erika Moseson, MD, MA, this means the agency will no longer account for the healthcare costs of air pollution and lost lives when determining how account how clean air policies and other key legislation affect communities. In this first part of a two-part series on the EPA's dollar value of a statistical life, Dr. Gerber explains what this change means and why is it significant.
In this episode, we review the high-yield topic of Pulmonary Edema from the Respiratory section.Follow Medbullets on social media:Facebook: www.facebook.com/medbulletsInstagram: www.instagram.com/medbulletsofficialTwitter: www.twitter.com/medbullets
In this week's episode we interview Joseph Parambil, MD, staff member in the department of pulmonary, allergy and critical care medicine at Cleveland Clinic, about the current challenges of interstitial lung disease, or ILD. · Intro by Adam J. Brown, MD 0:12 · Welcome back Joseph Parambil, MD 0:32 · But first, some medical history on ILD 1:04 · ILD vs. IPF 2:26 · A quick aside into silicosis and bleomycin 4:27 · Trying to describe pulmonary fibrosis 5:23 · The different types of ILD 9:44 · Finding a slow progression of disease and autoimmune conditions 10:59 · Pulmonary fibrosis diagnoses in 1963 14:41 · The modern era of ILD 16:22 · Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia 20:12 · Handing things over to Dr. Parambil 23:01 · Helping rheumatologists understand ILD/The alphabet soup 24:34 · The shift from biopsies and using immunosuppression 33:07 · Is the workup similar for UIP and NSIP? 35:26 · Is there a standard protocol for workup in terms of serologies? 36:30 · The danger of choosing the wrong treatment 38:43 · Immunosuppression in patients with pulmonary hypertension and ILD 40:52 · UIP and ANCA vasculitis 42:12 · Compared to ten years ago, how are we doing with treatments? 43:10 · Where are we with lung transplants? 50:49 · Looking at hematopoietic stem cell transplants 53:24 · The importance of early diagnosis 54:14 · Antifibrotic medicines 56:15 · Chronic and acute interstitial lung diseases 58:41 · Thank you, Dr. Parambil 1:03:54 · A conclusion from Dr. Brown 1:04:20 · Thank you for listening 1:04:55 We'd love to hear from you! Send your comments/questions to Dr. Brown at rheuminationspodcast@healio.com. Follow us on Twitter @HRheuminations @AdamJBrownMD @HealioRheum. Joseph Parambil, MD, is a staff member in the Respiratory Institute and the director of the HHT Center of Excellence and the Vascular Anomalies Center at the Cleveland Clinic. He is associate professor of medicine at Cleveland Clinic's Lerner College of Medicine. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine with additional specialty certification in pulmonary medicine and critical care medicine. References: Homolka J. CMAJ. 1987;PMID:3315158 Liebow A, et al. : "Frontiers of Pulmonary Radiology." The interstitial pneumonias, pp. 102-141. 1969. Grune & Stratton. Liebow A, et al. Calif Med. 1969;PMID:PMC1501512 Noble PW, et al. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2005;doi:10.1165/rcmb.F301 Scadding JG, et al. Thorax. 1967;doi:10.1136/thx.22.4.291 Disclosures: Brown and Parambil report no relevant financial disclosures.
We are unbelievably excited this week to be reviewing the hot-off-the-presses 2026 Multi-Society (AHA/ACC/ACCP/ACEP/CHEST/SCAI/SHM/SIR/SVM/SVN) Pulmonary Embolism Guidelines with lead author Dr. Mark A. Creager. We will talk about key updates in these guidelines compared to prior practice, including the new risk classification model, and provide an overview from diagnosis to follow-up. Given the clinical importance and prevalence of pulmonary embolism, these guidelines are certainly going to shape practice going forward, so this episode is a can’t miss! Watch the full video of this episode with graphics and helpful teaching visuals on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@pulmpeeps Meet Our Guest Dr. Mark Creager is a Professor of Medicine at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center where he specializes in Cardiovascular Medicine with an emphasis on venous thromboembolic disease. He served as the lead author of the 2026 Pulmonary Embolism Guidelines. Article and Reference Creager MA, Barnes GD, Giri J, Mukherjee D, Jones WS, Burnett AE, Carman T, Casanegra AI, Castellucci LA, Clark SM, Cushman M, de Wit K, Eaves JM, Fang MC, Goldberg JB, Henkin S, Johnston-Cox H, Kadavath S, Kadian-Dodov D, Keeling WB, Klein AJP, Li J, McDaniel MC, Moores LK, Piazza G, Prenger KS, Pugliese SC, Ranade M, Rosovsky RP, Russo F, Secemsky EA, Sista AK, Tefera L, Weinberg I, Westafer LM, Young MN. 2026 AHA/ACC/ACCP/ACEP/CHEST/SCAI/SHM/SIR/SVM/SVN Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2026 Feb 19:S0735-1097(25)10161-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2025.11.005. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41712898. Key Learning Points Why these guidelines matter: This is the first joint AHA/ACC clinical practice guideline specifically on acute PE, bringing together a truly multidisciplinary writing committee (cardiology, pulmonology, hematology, emergency medicine, interventional radiology, surgery, and others). Prior guidelines existed from individual societies, but nothing this comprehensive had been updated in roughly five to six years. New PE clinical categories (A through E): One of the most impactful changes is replacing the old “massive/submassive” and “low/intermediate/high risk” labels with five categories that form a severity continuum. Category A is subclinical (incidental PE found on imaging in asymptomatic patients). Category B covers symptomatic but low-severity patients. Category C is where much of the clinical complexity lives — symptomatic, hemodynamically stable patients subdivided into C1, C2, and C3 based on RV function and biomarkers. Category D represents incipient cardiopulmonary failure (transient hypotension, normotensive shock with end-organ dysfunction). Category E is frank cardiopulmonary failure, with E2 being the sickest — refractory or recurrent cardiac arrest. Respiratory modifiers (hypoxia requiring supplemental oxygen) layer onto C, D, and E. Diagnostic approach: Clinical evaluation comes first — history, exam, and validated decision tools (Wells score, revised Geneva, PERC). If clinical probability is low and D-dimer is normal, imaging can be safely avoided. If either is concerning, imaging is warranted. CTPA remains the preferred imaging modality due to superior sensitivity, specificity, wide availability, and ability to assess clot burden and alternative diagnoses. VQ scanning is still appropriate when CTPA is contraindicated, and VQ SPECT offers better reproducibility and specificity than traditional planar VQ if available. Echocardiography is not a diagnostic test for PE but is important for risk stratification — RV size, TAPSE, and tissue Doppler measures all contribute prognostic information. Anticoagulation updates: Anticoagulation remains the cornerstone of treatment. For patients potentially needing advanced therapies (C3, D, E), parenteral anticoagulation is started first. A notable recommendation: low molecular weight heparin is generally preferred over unfractionated heparin, based on evidence showing more effective VTE risk reduction, more predictable pharmacokinetics, no need for routine monitoring, lower rates of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, and no increase in major bleeding. The committee acknowledged this may create discomfort for clinicians accustomed to unfractionated heparin’s easy reversibility, but the difficulty of achieving and maintaining therapeutic levels with UFH was a significant concern. Advanced therapies: Catheter-based thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy, systemic thrombolysis, and surgical embolectomy all received mostly class 2B recommendations (“can consider”) for C3 and D categories, reflecting that current evidence shows improvement in short-term surrogate measures (RV/LV ratio, hemodynamics) but lacks definitive hard outcome data on mortality. For category E1 patients, recommendations are stronger (class 2A). Multiple trials are expected soon — HI-PEITHO, PEERLESS-2, PE-TRACT, PERSEVERE, TORPEDO, and PROG — that should substantially inform future updates. PERT teams: Pulmonary embolism response teams are encouraged, particularly for C3, D, and E patients. They’ve been shown to reduce length of stay. For institutions without PERT capability, establishing consultation networks with larger centers is recommended. Post-PE follow-up: Patients shouldn’t be “left in the wilderness” after discharge. The guidelines recommend communication within the first week to ensure understanding of diagnosis and treatment, an in-person visit at or before three months to assess for persistent symptoms and discuss anticoagulation duration, ongoing surveillance for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease, and periodic reassessment for those on extended anticoagulation. Infographics
Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Kathryn del Valle, M.D. Chronic liver disease can result in a variety of complications which can involve multiple organs. One of these complications can occur in the pulmonary vascular system. Two of the most clinically significant include hepatopulmonary syndrome and Portopulmonary hypertension. Patients with these syndromes may present to their primary care provider and if the medical condition is unrecognized, it can affect morbidity and ultimately the prognosis of the patient. What are the early symptoms and physical findings of hepatopulmonary syndrome and Portopulmonary hypertension? How are they diagnosed, and should we be screening patients with chronic liver disease for these pulmonary vascular disorders? My guest for this podcast is Dr. Kathryn del Valle, from the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at the Mayo Clinic and we'll be discussing “Pulmonary Vascular Complications of Liver Disease”. Connect with us! Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast Season 6 | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development
In this episode of Talking Sleep, host Dr. Seema Khosla welcomes Dr. Reena Mehra, professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle, and Dr. Dennis Aukley, professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, to discuss the newly released AASM clinical practice guidelines for evaluating and managing obstructive sleep apnea in hospitalized adults. The guidelines address a significant gap in inpatient care: how to systematically screen for sleep apnea in hospitalized patients, prioritize high-risk groups, determine when and where to perform testing, and ensure appropriate outpatient follow-up. Dr. Mehra and Dr. Aukley explain the impetus behind developing these guidelines and the PICO question process used to examine existing evidence, acknowledging the challenges of working with limited data in this emerging field. The conversation systematically walks through the four key recommendations: in-hospital screening for OSA as part of an evaluation and management pathway, use of inpatient PAP treatment for newly diagnosed or untreated moderate-to-severe OSA, availability of sleep medicine consultation, and implementation of discharge management plans to ensure timely diagnosis and effective outpatient management. Practical implementation receives extensive attention. How should patients be screened—using STOP-Bang or facility-specific methods? Should screening be built into the EMR? Which patient populations and hospital units should be prioritized? Who performs the screening—sleep navigators, nursing staff, or hospitalists? Can sleep consultations be conducted via telemedicine at the bedside? The experts emphasize the critical need for a program champion and comprehensive education initiatives. Dr. Aukley shares invaluable lessons from his experience creating an inpatient sleep program, discussing what he wishes he'd known before starting and practical insights gained through implementation. A particularly frustrating issue receives attention: patients who bring their own PAP devices to the hospital but never have them set up or used during their stay. The guidelines address this common scenario and provide frameworks for ensuring treated patients continue therapy during hospitalization. Legal liability considerations are explored: What responsibilities exist for untreated patients diagnosed with OSA during hospitalization? What about high-risk patients who haven't been formally diagnosed? The experts discuss strategies for ensuring outpatient follow-up, recognizing that effective discharge planning is essential for translating inpatient identification into long-term management. Whether you're considering establishing an inpatient sleep program, frustrated by gaps in hospital-based sleep apnea care, or seeking evidence-based approaches to identifying and managing OSA in hospitalized patients, this episode provides essential guidance and practical implementation strategies. Join us for this important discussion about bringing systematic sleep apnea evaluation and management into the inpatient setting.
This inaugural episode of the CardioNerds Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Series explores the evolution of acute PE care. Dr. Ibrahim Zahid, Dr. Dinu Balanescu, and Dr. Billy Joe Mullinax join guest expert Dr. Kenneth Rosenfield to discuss the shifting landscape of PE management. Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a leading cause of cardiovascular mortality and a frequent diagnostic challenge, often masquerading as myocardial infarction or a benign illness. Over the past decade, PE care has evolved from anticoagulation-only strategies to nuanced, risk-stratified, multidisciplinary management. Modern approaches integrate hemodynamics, biomarkers, and advanced imaging to guide therapy, including catheter-directed interventions and large-bore thrombectomy. The Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) model addresses historical gaps by coordinating rapid, multispecialty decision-making and standardizing care pathways. The PERT Consortium further advances PE care through education, research, and the world's largest PE registry, while fostering leadership and research opportunities for trainees. Despite advances, long-term outcomes and post-PE syndromes remain important areas for future investigation. Audio editing by CardioNerds Academy intern, student doctor, Pace Wetstein. Enjoy this Circulation 2022 Paths to Discovery article to learn about the CardioNerds story, mission, and values. CardioNerds Pulmonary Embolism PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! Pearls PE is a “master masquerader”—maintain suspicion for atypical presentations like myocardial infarction, heart failure, flu, or anxiety. Multidisciplinary management mediated through pulmonary embolism response teams improves outcomes and standardizes care. Risk stratification integrates hemodynamics, biomarkers, and imaging. Advanced therapies have expanded beyond anticoagulation. Long‑term follow‑up and post‑PE syndrome need more research. Notes Notes: Notes drafted by Dr. Ibrahim Zahid. 1. How has the clinical approach to PE changed over the past decade? PE is the third leading cause of cardiovascular death and historically under‑recognized. Symptoms mimic MI, HF, asthma, syncope, and more.PE is a silent killer, and it should be recognized more as a cause of spontaneous cardiac arrest. Where life threatening disease like stroke which is owned by neurological specialists and MI is primarily managed by cardiac specialists, PE is an entity without a professional home. The PERT Consortium brings the specialties together for PE care. 2. Ten years ago, a 58-year-old patient with a large bilateral PE, RV dilation, and positive biomarkers might have been managed with anticoagulation and close observation alone. Today, with evolving—but still uneven—data on advanced therapies, PE care feels far more nuanced and highly dependent on where you practice. What are the major gaps in traditional PE management that clinicians should recognize, and what care pathways should they be aware of across different hospital systems? Care has shifted from anticoagulation‑only to multidisciplinary approaches like catheter directed thrombectomy. Risk‑based pathways and the use of CT angiogram has improved early recognition. Risk stratification tools must be used as tools for early recognition of intermediate risk PE. Untreated PE leads to chronic complications like chronic thromboembolic disease and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, which requires long term clinic follow up. 3. What is the role of risk stratification tools such as PeSI, sPeSI scores, cardiac biomarkers, and imaging findings in PE, and how do they guide treatment decisions in real world practice? Integrate vitals (blood pressure and heart rate), biomarkers (troponin, pro-BNP), RV/LV ratio assessment, acid‑base status, and scores. Tools include PESI, sPESI, BOVA, HESTIA, FAST, Geneva, NEWS, shock index. Vitals, lactate, acid-base status, and tools like NEWS or shock index track clinical evolution. PESI/sPESI estimate 30-day mortality and help identify low-risk patients who may be candidates for early discharge or outpatient therapy. Clinical judgment matters—scores don't fully capture clot burden, trajectory, or bleeding risk. 4. How was the pulmonary embolism response team created, and since its creation, what evidence or outcome data became available to support the PERT model? Originated after a sentinel case at MGH: A young, pregnant woman in her 30s, who collapsed at home, underwent thrombectomy, and had to be on ECMO for a few days. The case brought cardiology, cardiac surgeons and critical care physicians together for planning and improvement in her health, which was rewarding. Thereby, it was decided to bring specialties involved in PE care together to create a response team. The name of the team, Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT), was coined by Richard Channick in the first meeting. Posters were set up all over the hospital to call a centralized line when an acute PE is recognized A meeting was held to present the concept of putting together a consortium, with development of action items and a PERT database. Enabled rapid multidisciplinary input using early teleconferencing tools. 5. Given concerns about having too many ‘cooks in the kitchen' during the initial PE call—especially with rotating teams—how can institutions reconcile workflow complexity with standardized pathways in a way that meaningfully supports and justifies the added burden on frontline clinicians? Every hospital's PERT is different, catering to their needs and workflow At least two disciplines are needed to make a PERTData is currently being collected to guide further on how the workflow can be standardized Most importantly, the team brings in resources that were not available prior to PERT formation. 6. What are the main goals of the PERT consortium, and how does it support clinicians and institutions involved? To improve care and improve outcomes for patients with PE Expand education, refine algorithms, standardize care with Centers of Excellence. Maintain the largest PE registry for research and outcomes improvement. 7. Beyond global networking, shared learning from successful systems, and the pathway toward Center of Excellence designation, what additional benefits can clinicians and health systems gain by participating in the PERT Consortium? The ability to learn from other systems, the ability to share experiences. Allow people to develop their professional careers like leadership experience, becoming a member of the trainee council Initiate projects and receive funding for your ideas 8. For trainees interested in pulmonary embolism care, how can a trainee be a champion at their institution? Does PERT provide assistance and how can they really contribute meaningfully even before becoming a fellow/attending? Medical students and residents interested in PE should reach out to the consortium and the consortium will hook you up with the correct mentors who can nurture you along. Listen to the podcasts. Participate with your local PERT team PERT wants involvement of people who are social media savvy to help spread the word on PE. Top three take-away points from this episode Acute PE care has advanced and multiple treatment modalities for acute PE including catheter directed therapy, large bore thrombectomy, are becoming standard of care. Multidisciplinary models like PERT improve coordination and outcomes. Trainees play a vital role in advancing PE care through involvement, research, and education References Konstantinides SV, Meyer G, Becattini C, Bueno H, Geersing GJ, Harjola VP, Huisman MV, Humbert M, Jennings CS, Jiménez D, Kucher N, Lang IM, Lankeit M, Lorusso R, Mazzolai L, Meneveau N, Ní Áinle F, Prandoni P, Pruszczyk P, Righini M, Torbicki A, Van Belle E, Zamorano JL; ESC Scientific Document Group. 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism developed in collaboration with the European Respiratory Society (ERS). Eur Heart J. 2020 Jan 21;41(4):543-603. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz405. PMID: 31504429. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31504429/ Rosovsky R, Zhao K, Sista A, Rivera-Lebron B, Kabrhel C. Pulmonary embolism response teams: Purpose, evidence for efficacy, and future research directions. Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2019 Jun 9;3(3):315-330. doi: 10.1002/rth2.12216. PMID: 31294318; PMCID: PMC6611377. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6611377/ Rosenfield K, Bowers TR, Barnett CF, Davis GA, Giri J, Horowitz JM, Huisman MV, Hunt BJ, Keeling B, Kline JA, Klok FA, Konstantinides SV, Lanno MT, Lookstein R, Moriarty JM, Ní Áinle F, Reed JL, Rosovsky RP, Royce SM, Secemsky EA, Sharp ASP, Sista AK, Smith RE, Wells P, Yang J, Whatley EM; Pulmonary Embolism Research Collaborative (PERC) Attendees. Standardized Data Elements for Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Consensus Report From the Pulmonary Embolism Research Collaborative. Circulation. 2024 Oct;150(14):1140-1150. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.067482. Epub 2024 Sep 12. PMID: 39263752; PMCID: PMC11698503. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39263752/ Sharifi M, Awdisho A, Schroeder B, Jiménez J, Iyer P, Bay C. Retrospective comparison of ultrasound facilitated catheter-directed thrombolysis and systemically administered half-dose thrombolysis in treatment of pulmonary embolism. Vasc Med. 2019 Apr;24(2):103-109. doi: 10.1177/1358863X18824159. Epub 2019 Mar 5. PMID: 30834822. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30834822/ Pandya V, Chandra AA, Scotti A, Assafin M, Schenone AL, Latib A, Slipczuk L, Khaliq A. Evolution of Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams in the United States: A Review of the Literature. J Clin Med. 2024 Jul 8;13(13):3984. doi: 10.3390/jcm13133984. PMID: 38999548; PMCID: PMC11242386. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38999548/ Rivera-Lebron B., McDaniel M., Ahrar K., Alrifai A., Dudzinski D.M., Fanola C., Blais D., Janicke D., Melamed R., Mohrien K., et al. Diagnosis, Treatment and Follow Up of Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Consensus Practice from the PERT Consortium. Clin. Appl. Thromb. Hemost. 2019;25:1076029619853037. doi: 10.1177/1076029619853037.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31185730/
This week I'm reading from Shannon Cain's book 'Journey of an Eternal Soul: My Journey Through Past Lives to Spiritual Awakening' Transcend to a higher plane through this gripping memoir of spiritual discovery. Join me as I recount my profound past life regression journey that forever changed my perspective. Through enthralling sessions with the gifted La Donna Permenter, I accessed secrets from distant times and planets. I lived as a fierce warrior, devoted husband, accused witch, and extraterrestrial from an advanced civilization, recalling intricate details about these vivid past lives. My soul traveled through mystical realms where I encountered spirit guides and my council on the other side. They shed light on karmic patterns and offered guidance to align me with my true path. This experience awakened dormant gifts and abilities within me. The revelations from my soul's journey have already created a monumental spiritual awakening, improving all aspects of my life. But this is only the beginning. The adventure continues as I seek answers to humanity's biggest mysteries. What wisdom lies in the Akashic records? Where do our loved ones go when they pass? What is the meaning of life? Unlock these secrets and more as you join me on this captivating voyage of self-discovery! Bio My name is Shannon Cain, and I'm proof that the universe has a sense of humor. Born into the rolling hills of Kentucky where survival often mattered more than spirituality, I spent decades believing I was broken, weird, and fundamentally flawed. What I didn't understand was that the very experiences that felt like curses were actually preparing me for the greatest adventure of my life. I'm not a professional writer—I barely made it through high school and have always struggled with traditional learning. I'm not a certified therapist or ordained minister. I don't have letters after my name or degrees on my wall. What I do have is a direct line to experiences that transformed not just my understanding of life and death, but my entire relationship with reality itself. After twenty years of marriage to my soulmate and six children who continue to teach me what unconditional love looks like, I thought I had life figured out. I was successful in business, comfortable in my routines, and thoroughly convinced that the strange experiences of my childhood were just imagination running wild. Then the universe decided it was time for me to remember who I really was. This book chronicles that remembering—the past-life regressions that showed me I had lived before and would live again, the communications with deceased relatives that proved love transcends death, the journeys to other dimensions that revealed the magnificent architecture of consciousness itself. I'm sharing this story not because I want attention or credibility, but because I was given a mission: help others understand that the strange experiences they're having aren't signs of mental illness but evidence of awakening. The vivid dreams, the sense of knowing things you've never learned, the feeling that this world isn't quite real—trust those experiences. They're pointing you toward the truth of who you really are. We live in an incredible time when more humans are remembering their spiritual nature than ever before in recorded history. If this book finds its way to you, it's probably no accident. Something in your soul recognizes these truths, even if your logical mind wants to dismiss them. Listen to that recognition. Follow it. Because on the other side of that leap of faith lies a reality more beautiful and interconnected than you ever dared imagine. The whispers are calling you home. All you have to do is listen. Shannon Cain currently lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with his wife and children, where he continues to explore the endless frontier of consciousness while somehow managing to pay the bills and remember to take out the trash. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQJZN5XP La Donna Permenter I have been driven my entire life with the desire to help people, by working in the medical field I have been able to fulfill that dream. I have spent 35 years in the medical field starting in the EMS services, then 25 (+) years in Pulmonary and Infectious Disease working with a wonderful group of doctors at the forefront of HIV-AIDS in the late 80's. I also spent several years as a clinical manager for a large pain management practice. In 2009, I started my own company in the outpatient mental health field. I built the practice into a group of 12 Psychotherapists, including Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Psychologists. I enjoyed my many years in medicine, and I see now how all of this was also a part of my journey, by experiencing the interactions with all of the beautiful people that were my patients over the years. It was during this time that I realized there had to be another way to expand on the care to assist people further and in a much deeper way. In medicine we focus on healing the body, but we must not forget to integrate the healing of the body, mind and the Soul. With this desire to expanded and connect at a deeper level, I sold the mental health practice and dedicated myself full time to what I now know is my true calling in life, completely. During many years of research and studying to expand my knowledge on this level of deeper care, I discovered Dolores Cannon's QHHT -Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique /PLR regression therapy. It was Dolores Cannon that developed the practice of QHHT; she developed this procedure over her 50 years of success, helping others awaken to their life purpose. I realized that this is my calling, and I promptly became a certified dedicated provider. I have spent hundreds of hours of study and practical hands on application throughout the studies of QHHT -Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique. https://yoursoulrecovery.com/ https://www.pastliveshypnosis.co.uk/https://www.patreon.com/ourparanormalafterlifeMy book 'Verified Near Death Experiences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This week I'm talking to Shannon Cain about his book 'Journey of an Eternal Soul: My Journey Through Past Lives to Spiritual Awakening' and we are also joined by Past Life Regression practitioner La Donna Permenter. Transcend to a higher plane through this gripping memoir of spiritual discovery. Join me as I recount my profound past life regression journey that forever changed my perspective. Through enthralling sessions with the gifted La Donna Permenter, I accessed secrets from distant times and planets. I lived as a fierce warrior, devoted husband, accused witch, and extraterrestrial from an advanced civilization, recalling intricate details about these vivid past lives. My soul traveled through mystical realms where I encountered spirit guides and my council on the other side. They shed light on karmic patterns and offered guidance to align me with my true path. This experience awakened dormant gifts and abilities within me. The revelations from my soul's journey have already created a monumental spiritual awakening, improving all aspects of my life. But this is only the beginning. The adventure continues as I seek answers to humanity's biggest mysteries. What wisdom lies in the Akashic records? Where do our loved ones go when they pass? What is the meaning of life? Unlock these secrets and more as you join me on this captivating voyage of self-discovery! Bio My name is Shannon Cain, and I'm proof that the universe has a sense of humor. Born into the rolling hills of Kentucky where survival often mattered more than spirituality, I spent decades believing I was broken, weird, and fundamentally flawed. What I didn't understand was that the very experiences that felt like curses were actually preparing me for the greatest adventure of my life. I'm not a professional writer—I barely made it through high school and have always struggled with traditional learning. I'm not a certified therapist or ordained minister. I don't have letters after my name or degrees on my wall. What I do have is a direct line to experiences that transformed not just my understanding of life and death, but my entire relationship with reality itself. After twenty years of marriage to my soulmate and six children who continue to teach me what unconditional love looks like, I thought I had life figured out. I was successful in business, comfortable in my routines, and thoroughly convinced that the strange experiences of my childhood were just imagination running wild. Then the universe decided it was time for me to remember who I really was. This book chronicles that remembering—the past-life regressions that showed me I had lived before and would live again, the communications with deceased relatives that proved love transcends death, the journeys to other dimensions that revealed the magnificent architecture of consciousness itself. I'm sharing this story not because I want attention or credibility, but because I was given a mission: help others understand that the strange experiences they're having aren't signs of mental illness but evidence of awakening. The vivid dreams, the sense of knowing things you've never learned, the feeling that this world isn't quite real—trust those experiences. They're pointing you toward the truth of who you really are. We live in an incredible time when more humans are remembering their spiritual nature than ever before in recorded history. If this book finds its way to you, it's probably no accident. Something in your soul recognizes these truths, even if your logical mind wants to dismiss them. Listen to that recognition. Follow it. Because on the other side of that leap of faith lies a reality more beautiful and interconnected than you ever dared imagine. The whispers are calling you home. All you have to do is listen. Shannon Cain currently lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with his wife and children, where he continues to explore the endless frontier of consciousness while somehow managing to pay the bills and remember to take out the trash. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQJZN5XP La Donna Permenter I have been driven my entire life with the desire to help people, by working in the medical field I have been able to fulfill that dream. I have spent 35 years in the medical field starting in the EMS services, then 25 (+) years in Pulmonary and Infectious Disease working with a wonderful group of doctors at the forefront of HIV-AIDS in the late 80's. I also spent several years as a clinical manager for a large pain management practice. In 2009, I started my own company in the outpatient mental health field. I built the practice into a group of 12 Psychotherapists, including Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Psychologists. I enjoyed my many years in medicine, and I see now how all of this was also a part of my journey, by experiencing the interactions with all of the beautiful people that were my patients over the years. It was during this time that I realized there had to be another way to expand on the care to assist people further and in a much deeper way. In medicine we focus on healing the body, but we must not forget to integrate the healing of the body, mind and the Soul. With this desire to expanded and connect at a deeper level, I sold the mental health practice and dedicated myself full time to what I now know is my true calling in life, completely. During many years of research and studying to expand my knowledge on this level of deeper care, I discovered Dolores Cannon's QHHT -Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique /PLR regression therapy. It was Dolores Cannon that developed the practice of QHHT; she developed this procedure over her 50 years of success, helping others awaken to their life purpose. I realized that this is my calling, and I promptly became a certified dedicated provider. I have spent hundreds of hours of study and practical hands on application throughout the studies of QHHT -Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique. https://yoursoulrecovery.com/ https://www.pastliveshypnosis.co.uk/https://www.patreon.com/ourparanormalafterlifeMy book 'Verified Near Death Experiences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.