Top news of March: Emotional memory in obstructive sleep apnea, FDA bronchoscopy clearance

Healio compiled the most-read news in pulmonology posted in March.

Highlights include impaired emotional memory in patients with obstructive sleep apnea; FDA clearance of a robotic navigated bronchoscope system; comparable DNA damage of oral cells in vapers and smokers; shorter hospital stays for infants with bronchiolitis when given high-dose inhaled nitric oxide; several early-life factors that impact lung function in adulthood; and more.

Read these and more top stories in pulmonology below:

Emotional memory fades overnight in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea showed impaired emotional memory after one night of sleep, according to study results published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society. Read more.

FDA grants 510(k) clearance to robotic navigated bronchoscope system

The FDA has granted 510(k) clearance to a robotic navigated bronchoscopy system that will aid in diagnosing patients with lung cancer, according to a manufacturer-issued press release. Read more.

Vaping shows comparable DNA damage in oral cells to smoking

Exclusive smokers and exclusive vapers had comparable increases in DNA damage of their oral epithelial cells, according to study results published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research. Read more.

High-dose inhaled nitric oxide shortens hospital stay in infants with bronchiolitis

Infants with bronchiolitis who received 150 ppm inhaled nitric oxide plus standard supportive treatment had shorter hospital stays and improved respiratory outcomes, according to results published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society. Read more.

Researchers identify several early-life factors that influence adult lung function

Lung function in 24-year-old adults was influenced by maternal perinatal BMI, birthweight, childhood asthma and childhood lean and fat mass, according to study results published in European Respiratory Journal. Read more.

Delayed intubation linked to poor survival among mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients

Intubation after 24 hours in the ICU for patients with COVID-19 receiving mechanical ventilation resulted in poorer mortality outcomes than early intubation, according to study results published in European Respiratory Journal. Read more.

Q&A: Bringing attention to risks, disparities in untreated obstructive sleep apnea

Left undiagnosed and untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can result in several poor consequences related to health, work and relationships, according to a press release from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Read more.

Obstructive sleep apnea heightens risk for COVID-19, severe complications

Adults with obstructive sleep apnea faced elevated risks for developing COVID-19 and experiencing COVID-19-related complications, according to study results published in Thorax. Read more.

FDA OKs obstructive sleep apnea nerve stimulator for pediatric patients with Down syndrome

The FDA approved an obstructive sleep apnea neurostimulation therapy for patients aged 13 years and older with Down syndrome, according to a manufacturer-issued press release. Read more.

Q&A: With future study, heartburn drugs may lead to shorter TB treatment

Drugs designed to treat heartburn may also help with tuberculosis by accelerating the treatment process, according to study results published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Read more.