Top pulmonology news from February: FDA updates, noninvasive ventilation in COPD and more

Healio Pulmonology has you covered. The Editors have compiled a list of popular articles posted on Healio Pulmonology in February.

See below for links to news on updates from the FDA, the association between the gut microbiome and pulmonary hypertension, malignancy prediction models for pulmonary nodules and more.

Gut bacteria linked to PAH

New data published in Hypertension have shown that a unique profile of gut bacteria can predict the presence of pulmonary artery hypertension in patients with 83% accuracy. Read more

FDA approves first ProAir HFA generic

The FDA has approved the first generic of ProAir HFA inhalation aerosol — albuterol sulfate — for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease, such as asthma, and the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm in patients aged 4 years and older. Read more

Study evaluates malignancy prediction models for pulmonary nodules

In a study of models for predicting malignancy in pulmonary nodules, researchers found that those developed using data from the Pan-Canadian Early Detection of Lung Cancer low-dose CT screening trial showed good discrimination and fared better than several other prediction models. Read more

FDA grants breakthrough device designation for novel pulmonary hypertension system

The FDA has granted breakthrough device designation for the Aria CV Pulmonary Hypertension System, according to a manufacturer press release. Read more

Home noninvasive positive pressure ventilation may improve COPD outcomes

A meta-analysis recently published in JAMA suggests that home noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, or NIPPV, may potentially lower the risk for death, hospital admission and intubation among patients with COPD and hypercapnia. Read more

State regulations linked to reduced e-cigarette use

Recent data suggest that several state regulations on the use, marketing and sale of e-cigarettes may be associated with current use of these products among adults in the U.S. Read more

Novel hypoglossal nerve stimulation device improves OSA

A bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation system reduced severity of obstructive sleep apnea and improved quality of life without device-related complications, according to a study published in the European Respiratory Journal. Read more

Racial differences persist in older adults with asthma

In a study of 4,700 older adults with asthma, researchers found that symptoms and health care utilization remained different among African American and Hispanic survey respondents compared with white respondents even after adjustment for multiple social determinants. Read more

Nonsedation fails to lower mortality in mechanically ventilated patients

A strategy of no sedation failed to reduce mortality when compared with a strategy of light sedation with daily interruption among critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients, according to results from the NONSEDA trial. Read more

FDA authorizes national use of first coronavirus diagnostic test

On Feb. 6, the FDA issued an emergency use authorization to enable emergency use of the CDC’s diagnostic panel for the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, according to an agency press release. Read more

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