Top news of March: FDA PAH approvals, impacts of e-cigarette use
Healio has compiled the most-read news in pulmonology posted in March.
Highlights include two FDA approvals of treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension; the negative impacts of electronic nicotine delivery system use on measures of cardiovascular and pulmonary health; heightened odds for sarcoidosis in African Americans with several environmental exposures; a lower mortality risk in Black vs. white ICU patients with COVID-19 after high-dose inhaled nitric oxide therapy; and more.
Read these and other top stories in pulmonology below:
FDA approves combination therapy tablet for pulmonary arterial hypertension
The FDA has approved Opsynvi (Johnson & Johnson), a once-daily tablet that includes both macitentan and tadalafil, to treat adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension, according to a manufacturer-issued press release. Read more.
E-cigarette use lowers lung function, heightens blood pressure, heart rate
Following 15-minute use of an electronic nicotine delivery system, or ENDS, lung function fell and blood pressure and heart rate rose in long-term users vs. nonusers, according to results published in CHEST. Read more.
FDA approves sotatercept for pulmonary arterial hypertension
The FDA has approved sotatercept (Winrevair, Merck), an activin signaling inhibitor, for treating adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension, according to a manufacturer-issued press release. Also, Mario Naranjo-Tovar, MD, MHS, of Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, shares his Perspective. Read more.
Several environmental exposures raise risk for sarcoidosis in African Americans
Exposure to mold/musty odors, various metals and farm animals raised the odds for sarcoidosis in African Americans, according to results published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society. Read more.
Inhaled nitric oxide lowers mortality risk in Black patients with COVID-19
Black ICU patients with COVID-19 receiving high-dose inhaled nitric oxide had a decreased risk for 28-day and 90-day mortality, according to results published in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Also, A. Ian Wong, MD, PhD, of Duke University, shares his Perspective. Read more.
Gaseous vs. polluting fuels for cooking, heating lower odds for COPD, wheeze
Use of gaseous household fuels vs. polluting fuels for cooking and heating lowered an individual’s odds for COPD, wheeze and severe respiratory illness/death, according to study results published in Lancet Respiratory Medicine. Read more.
Dupilumab outperforms other biologics in reducing asthma exacerbation rate
Between dupilumab, benralizumab and mepolizumab, patients with difficult-to-control asthma had the lowest rate of exacerbations in the first year of dupilumab, according to results published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society. Read more.
Low likelihood of antimicrobials for sepsis during shift changes, night shifts
During hours of the day signaling shift changes and night shifts, the likelihood of starting antimicrobials for hospital-onset sepsis was reduced, according to study results published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society. Read more.
Air pollutants harm lung function of preterm-born school-aged children
Among school-aged children born preterm, heightened current exposure to fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide each negatively impacted lung function, according to results published in Thorax. Read more.
Early air pollution exposure may heighten childhood asthma risk
A high risk for asthma in children was linked to increased levels of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide exposure in the first 3 years of life, according to results published in JAMA Network Open. Read more.