Society News

SVS members, please encourage medical or pre-med students interested in vascular surgery to apply for scholarships to attend the 2018 Vascular Annual Meeting. Scholarship applications are due by Feb. 1.

The awards are the General Surgery Resident/Medical Student Travel Scholarship and the Diversity Medical Student Travel Scholarship. Recipients become part of the hugely popular scholarship program, designed to let residents and students explore their interest in vascular surgery.

VAM will be held June 20 to 23, 2018, in Boston, with scientific sessions on June 21-23 and exhibits open June 21-22). 

The SVS Foundation seeks applicants for its Student Research Fellowship awards, designed to stimulate laboratory and clinical vascular research by undergraduate college students and medical students attending universities in the United States and Canada. Urge students you know with an interest in research to apply today.

SVS members, please encourage medical or pre-med students interested in vascular surgery to apply for scholarships to attend the 2018 Vascular Annual Meeting. Scholarship applications are due by Feb. 1.

The awards are the General Surgery Resident/Medical Student Travel Scholarship and the Diversity Medical Student Travel Scholarship. Recipients become part of the hugely popular scholarship program, designed to let residents and students explore their interest in vascular surgery.

VAM will be held June 20 to 23, 2018, in Boston, with scientific sessions on June 21-23 and exhibits open June 21-22). 

The SVS Foundation seeks applicants for its Student Research Fellowship awards, designed to stimulate laboratory and clinical vascular research by undergraduate college students and medical students attending universities in the United States and Canada. Urge students you know with an interest in research to apply today.

SVS members, please encourage medical or pre-med students interested in vascular surgery to apply for scholarships to attend the 2018 Vascular Annual Meeting. Scholarship applications are due by Feb. 1.

The awards are the General Surgery Resident/Medical Student Travel Scholarship and the Diversity Medical Student Travel Scholarship. Recipients become part of the hugely popular scholarship program, designed to let residents and students explore their interest in vascular surgery.

VAM will be held June 20 to 23, 2018, in Boston, with scientific sessions on June 21-23 and exhibits open June 21-22). 

The SVS Foundation seeks applicants for its Student Research Fellowship awards, designed to stimulate laboratory and clinical vascular research by undergraduate college students and medical students attending universities in the United States and Canada. Urge students you know with an interest in research to apply today.

Recent references to "EVR" coding changes weren't typos. We really meant "EVR" and not the "EVAR" with which we are all familiar. That's because there's been a change in vascular surgery acronyms. EVAR – Endovascular Aneurysm Repair – has become EVR – Endovascular Repair. The change was made by the CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) Editorial Panel and the SVS Coding Committee, as recent treatment strategies are not confined to the aorta.

We know EVR doesn't flow as trippingly off the tongue. Still, as the telephone operator used to say when informing a caller of a change in a phone number, "Please ... make a note of it."

Recent references to "EVR" coding changes weren't typos. We really meant "EVR" and not the "EVAR" with which we are all familiar. That's because there's been a change in vascular surgery acronyms. EVAR – Endovascular Aneurysm Repair – has become EVR – Endovascular Repair. The change was made by the CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) Editorial Panel and the SVS Coding Committee, as recent treatment strategies are not confined to the aorta.

We know EVR doesn't flow as trippingly off the tongue. Still, as the telephone operator used to say when informing a caller of a change in a phone number, "Please ... make a note of it."

Recent references to "EVR" coding changes weren't typos. We really meant "EVR" and not the "EVAR" with which we are all familiar. That's because there's been a change in vascular surgery acronyms. EVAR – Endovascular Aneurysm Repair – has become EVR – Endovascular Repair. The change was made by the CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) Editorial Panel and the SVS Coding Committee, as recent treatment strategies are not confined to the aorta.

We know EVR doesn't flow as trippingly off the tongue. Still, as the telephone operator used to say when informing a caller of a change in a phone number, "Please ... make a note of it."

• VAM travel scholarships (Feb. 1): The scholarships (General Surgery Resident/Medical Student Travel Scholarship and Diversity Medical Student Travel Scholarship) are for medical students and residents for the Vascular Annual Meeting. Recipients will be able to meet other students and residents plus talk with members and leaders of the vascular surgical community. Applicants get complimentary meeting registration plus financial resources to help defray travel costs. 
• Student Research Fellowship (Feb. 1): Sponsored by the SVS Foundation, this award seeks to introduce the student to the application of rigorous scientific methods to clinical problems and underlying biologic processes important to patients with vascular disease.

• VAM travel scholarships (Feb. 1): The scholarships (General Surgery Resident/Medical Student Travel Scholarship and Diversity Medical Student Travel Scholarship) are for medical students and residents for the Vascular Annual Meeting. Recipients will be able to meet other students and residents plus talk with members and leaders of the vascular surgical community. Applicants get complimentary meeting registration plus financial resources to help defray travel costs. 
• Student Research Fellowship (Feb. 1): Sponsored by the SVS Foundation, this award seeks to introduce the student to the application of rigorous scientific methods to clinical problems and underlying biologic processes important to patients with vascular disease.

• VAM travel scholarships (Feb. 1): The scholarships (General Surgery Resident/Medical Student Travel Scholarship and Diversity Medical Student Travel Scholarship) are for medical students and residents for the Vascular Annual Meeting. Recipients will be able to meet other students and residents plus talk with members and leaders of the vascular surgical community. Applicants get complimentary meeting registration plus financial resources to help defray travel costs. 
• Student Research Fellowship (Feb. 1): Sponsored by the SVS Foundation, this award seeks to introduce the student to the application of rigorous scientific methods to clinical problems and underlying biologic processes important to patients with vascular disease.

The deadline is Wednesday, Jan. 17, for two important research endeavors related to the 2018 Vascular Annual Meeting: abstract submissions and the Resident Research Award. This year's VAM will be June 20 to 23 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Following a full day of programming on Wednesday, June 20, plenary sessions are set for June 21-23. Exhibits will be June 21-22. VAM registration and housing are scheduled to open in early March 2018.

Abstract Submission: Abstracts must be submitted by 3 p.m. Wednesday (CST), Jan. 17.

Resident Research Award (Jan. 17): The recipient will showcase his or her work at the 2018 Vascular Annual Meeting. This award is an excellent opportunity for surgical trainees in vascular research laboratories to be recognized and rewarded for their research efforts. The winner receives a $5,000 award and the VAM presentation opportunity.

The deadline is Wednesday, Jan. 17, for two important research endeavors related to the 2018 Vascular Annual Meeting: abstract submissions and the Resident Research Award. This year's VAM will be June 20 to 23 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Following a full day of programming on Wednesday, June 20, plenary sessions are set for June 21-23. Exhibits will be June 21-22. VAM registration and housing are scheduled to open in early March 2018.

Abstract Submission: Abstracts must be submitted by 3 p.m. Wednesday (CST), Jan. 17.

Resident Research Award (Jan. 17): The recipient will showcase his or her work at the 2018 Vascular Annual Meeting. This award is an excellent opportunity for surgical trainees in vascular research laboratories to be recognized and rewarded for their research efforts. The winner receives a $5,000 award and the VAM presentation opportunity.

The deadline is Wednesday, Jan. 17, for two important research endeavors related to the 2018 Vascular Annual Meeting: abstract submissions and the Resident Research Award. This year's VAM will be June 20 to 23 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Following a full day of programming on Wednesday, June 20, plenary sessions are set for June 21-23. Exhibits will be June 21-22. VAM registration and housing are scheduled to open in early March 2018.

Abstract Submission: Abstracts must be submitted by 3 p.m. Wednesday (CST), Jan. 17.

Resident Research Award (Jan. 17): The recipient will showcase his or her work at the 2018 Vascular Annual Meeting. This award is an excellent opportunity for surgical trainees in vascular research laboratories to be recognized and rewarded for their research efforts. The winner receives a $5,000 award and the VAM presentation opportunity.

Your gift today truly has an immediate impact that makes a difference now.

We also want you to benefit as much as possible from your generosity.

Gifts of Appreciated Securities, Mutual Funds, and Investments

If you have owned any of these longer than 1 year and they have appreciated in value, they provide a smart option for gifting. You will avoid the capital gains tax, and you also receive a charitable income tax deduction if you itemize your tax return.
 

The Charitable Individual Retirement Plan Option

If you are 70 1/2, you may distribute funds from your IRA directly to the CHEST Foundation.

You will not pay any income taxes, and it will also qualify for your required minimum withdrawal. You may distribute up to $100,000 per person per year ($200,000 if you are married and both own an IRA).

Retirement Plan Beneficiary Designation

You may also designate a charity as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401K, or 403B.

This will avoid any income tax, so 100% will be directed to the charity of your choice.

For more information on these and other ways to support the CHEST Foundation, confidentially and with no obligation, contact Angela Perillo, CHEST Director of Development & Foundation Operations, at [email protected].

Your gift today truly has an immediate impact that makes a difference now.

We also want you to benefit as much as possible from your generosity.

Gifts of Appreciated Securities, Mutual Funds, and Investments

If you have owned any of these longer than 1 year and they have appreciated in value, they provide a smart option for gifting. You will avoid the capital gains tax, and you also receive a charitable income tax deduction if you itemize your tax return.
 

The Charitable Individual Retirement Plan Option

If you are 70 1/2, you may distribute funds from your IRA directly to the CHEST Foundation.

You will not pay any income taxes, and it will also qualify for your required minimum withdrawal. You may distribute up to $100,000 per person per year ($200,000 if you are married and both own an IRA).

Retirement Plan Beneficiary Designation

You may also designate a charity as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401K, or 403B.

This will avoid any income tax, so 100% will be directed to the charity of your choice.

For more information on these and other ways to support the CHEST Foundation, confidentially and with no obligation, contact Angela Perillo, CHEST Director of Development & Foundation Operations, at [email protected].

Your gift today truly has an immediate impact that makes a difference now.

We also want you to benefit as much as possible from your generosity.

Gifts of Appreciated Securities, Mutual Funds, and Investments

If you have owned any of these longer than 1 year and they have appreciated in value, they provide a smart option for gifting. You will avoid the capital gains tax, and you also receive a charitable income tax deduction if you itemize your tax return.
 

The Charitable Individual Retirement Plan Option

If you are 70 1/2, you may distribute funds from your IRA directly to the CHEST Foundation.

You will not pay any income taxes, and it will also qualify for your required minimum withdrawal. You may distribute up to $100,000 per person per year ($200,000 if you are married and both own an IRA).

Retirement Plan Beneficiary Designation

You may also designate a charity as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401K, or 403B.

This will avoid any income tax, so 100% will be directed to the charity of your choice.

For more information on these and other ways to support the CHEST Foundation, confidentially and with no obligation, contact Angela Perillo, CHEST Director of Development & Foundation Operations, at [email protected].

On December 2, CHEST received Accreditation with Commendation from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). This achievement grants CHEST accreditation through November 2023, and places the organization in the highest tier of continuing medical education (CME) providers.

“It is a true privilege to serve as a member of our outstanding CHEST Education team. We are very proud of our education program and have worked very hard to provide CHEST members and their health-care team with state-of-the-art learning opportunities,” said Alex Niven, MD, FCCP, current Chair of CHEST’s Education Committee, “ACCME Accreditation with Commendation is an important benchmark of this success, and we look forward to further advancing CHEST’s leadership role in medical education through its simulation, active learning, and other innovative educational offerings.”

To receive accreditation from the ACCME, CHEST met all of the requirements of the ACCME, has transitioned clinician knowledge into action, and has enhanced procedural performance to improve patient outcomes. Accreditation with Commendation is “a reward for going above and beyond requirements--having the absolute best practices and for striving to meet the aspirational goals of medical education,” said William Kelly, MD, FCCP, previous Chair of CHEST’s Education Committee.

In achieving Accreditation with Commendation, CHEST demonstrated compliance with the following:

• Improving the professional practice by consistently integrating CME into CHEST processes.

• Utilization of noneducation strategies such as the CHEST Foundation’s grant programs and disease awareness campaigns, to enhance change as an adjunct to CHEST’s activities/educational interventions.

• Identification of factors that effect patient outcomes and are outside of the provider’s control.

• Implementation of educational strategies, including the offering of additional training to improve procedural capabilities, so as to remove, overcome, or address barriers to physician change.

• Building of bridges with stakeholders such as The France Foundation, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), through collaboration and cooperation.

• Participation within an institutional framework for health-care quality improvement.

• Positioned to influence the scope and content of activities/educational interventions.

On December 2, CHEST received Accreditation with Commendation from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). This achievement grants CHEST accreditation through November 2023, and places the organization in the highest tier of continuing medical education (CME) providers.

“It is a true privilege to serve as a member of our outstanding CHEST Education team. We are very proud of our education program and have worked very hard to provide CHEST members and their health-care team with state-of-the-art learning opportunities,” said Alex Niven, MD, FCCP, current Chair of CHEST’s Education Committee, “ACCME Accreditation with Commendation is an important benchmark of this success, and we look forward to further advancing CHEST’s leadership role in medical education through its simulation, active learning, and other innovative educational offerings.”

To receive accreditation from the ACCME, CHEST met all of the requirements of the ACCME, has transitioned clinician knowledge into action, and has enhanced procedural performance to improve patient outcomes. Accreditation with Commendation is “a reward for going above and beyond requirements--having the absolute best practices and for striving to meet the aspirational goals of medical education,” said William Kelly, MD, FCCP, previous Chair of CHEST’s Education Committee.

In achieving Accreditation with Commendation, CHEST demonstrated compliance with the following:

• Improving the professional practice by consistently integrating CME into CHEST processes.

• Utilization of noneducation strategies such as the CHEST Foundation’s grant programs and disease awareness campaigns, to enhance change as an adjunct to CHEST’s activities/educational interventions.

• Identification of factors that effect patient outcomes and are outside of the provider’s control.

• Implementation of educational strategies, including the offering of additional training to improve procedural capabilities, so as to remove, overcome, or address barriers to physician change.

• Building of bridges with stakeholders such as The France Foundation, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), through collaboration and cooperation.

• Participation within an institutional framework for health-care quality improvement.

• Positioned to influence the scope and content of activities/educational interventions.

On December 2, CHEST received Accreditation with Commendation from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). This achievement grants CHEST accreditation through November 2023, and places the organization in the highest tier of continuing medical education (CME) providers.

“It is a true privilege to serve as a member of our outstanding CHEST Education team. We are very proud of our education program and have worked very hard to provide CHEST members and their health-care team with state-of-the-art learning opportunities,” said Alex Niven, MD, FCCP, current Chair of CHEST’s Education Committee, “ACCME Accreditation with Commendation is an important benchmark of this success, and we look forward to further advancing CHEST’s leadership role in medical education through its simulation, active learning, and other innovative educational offerings.”

To receive accreditation from the ACCME, CHEST met all of the requirements of the ACCME, has transitioned clinician knowledge into action, and has enhanced procedural performance to improve patient outcomes. Accreditation with Commendation is “a reward for going above and beyond requirements--having the absolute best practices and for striving to meet the aspirational goals of medical education,” said William Kelly, MD, FCCP, previous Chair of CHEST’s Education Committee.

In achieving Accreditation with Commendation, CHEST demonstrated compliance with the following:

• Improving the professional practice by consistently integrating CME into CHEST processes.

• Utilization of noneducation strategies such as the CHEST Foundation’s grant programs and disease awareness campaigns, to enhance change as an adjunct to CHEST’s activities/educational interventions.

• Identification of factors that effect patient outcomes and are outside of the provider’s control.

• Implementation of educational strategies, including the offering of additional training to improve procedural capabilities, so as to remove, overcome, or address barriers to physician change.

• Building of bridges with stakeholders such as The France Foundation, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), through collaboration and cooperation.

• Participation within an institutional framework for health-care quality improvement.

• Positioned to influence the scope and content of activities/educational interventions.

In April 2016, Facebook launched Facebook Live, a tool for live streaming to a Facebook page to share live video with their followers on Facebook. At CHEST 2016, the CHEST New Media team began to experiment with live video with some early success. The CHEST 2017 team made the decision, based on the organization’s goal to help educate clinicians to improve patient care, to live stream complete sessions from CHEST 2017. With the help of the CHEST 2017 Education Committee and the Social Media Work Group, more than 25 sessions were selected and live streamed.

CHEST’s efforts on Facebook Live resulted in the following:

• Total people reached: 133,737
• Total video views: 34,449
• Total minutes watched: 30,786 (or 513 hours, or 21 days)
• Total interactions: 1,050 (eg, likes, loves, hahas, etc)
• Total shares: 302

The content concept was well received, and comments ranged from followers chiming in with their location, appreciation for live streaming, and even comments from patients.

• “Thank you for sharing this live presentation.”
• “Here from Mexico !!”
• “Here from Natal/RN, Brazil”
• “Here from Milan, Italy.”
• “Appreciate this live streaming on important sessions, big service for those who couldn’t attend!!”
• “My brother survived after six days on ECMO. I am so glad to have him.”
• “It’s a great chance for physicians working in pulmonology and general practice to get the pearls of guidelines from American College to improve clinical practice. Now distance doesn’t matter”

Plans are underway for live streaming from CHEST 2018 in San Antonio. To view the CHEST 2017 live stream videos, visit CHEST’s Facebook page, facebook.com/accpchest.

In April 2016, Facebook launched Facebook Live, a tool for live streaming to a Facebook page to share live video with their followers on Facebook. At CHEST 2016, the CHEST New Media team began to experiment with live video with some early success. The CHEST 2017 team made the decision, based on the organization’s goal to help educate clinicians to improve patient care, to live stream complete sessions from CHEST 2017. With the help of the CHEST 2017 Education Committee and the Social Media Work Group, more than 25 sessions were selected and live streamed.

CHEST’s efforts on Facebook Live resulted in the following:

• Total people reached: 133,737
• Total video views: 34,449
• Total minutes watched: 30,786 (or 513 hours, or 21 days)
• Total interactions: 1,050 (eg, likes, loves, hahas, etc)
• Total shares: 302

The content concept was well received, and comments ranged from followers chiming in with their location, appreciation for live streaming, and even comments from patients.

• “Thank you for sharing this live presentation.”
• “Here from Mexico !!”
• “Here from Natal/RN, Brazil”
• “Here from Milan, Italy.”
• “Appreciate this live streaming on important sessions, big service for those who couldn’t attend!!”
• “My brother survived after six days on ECMO. I am so glad to have him.”
• “It’s a great chance for physicians working in pulmonology and general practice to get the pearls of guidelines from American College to improve clinical practice. Now distance doesn’t matter”

Plans are underway for live streaming from CHEST 2018 in San Antonio. To view the CHEST 2017 live stream videos, visit CHEST’s Facebook page, facebook.com/accpchest.

In April 2016, Facebook launched Facebook Live, a tool for live streaming to a Facebook page to share live video with their followers on Facebook. At CHEST 2016, the CHEST New Media team began to experiment with live video with some early success. The CHEST 2017 team made the decision, based on the organization’s goal to help educate clinicians to improve patient care, to live stream complete sessions from CHEST 2017. With the help of the CHEST 2017 Education Committee and the Social Media Work Group, more than 25 sessions were selected and live streamed.

CHEST’s efforts on Facebook Live resulted in the following:

• Total people reached: 133,737
• Total video views: 34,449
• Total minutes watched: 30,786 (or 513 hours, or 21 days)
• Total interactions: 1,050 (eg, likes, loves, hahas, etc)
• Total shares: 302

The content concept was well received, and comments ranged from followers chiming in with their location, appreciation for live streaming, and even comments from patients.

• “Thank you for sharing this live presentation.”
• “Here from Mexico !!”
• “Here from Natal/RN, Brazil”
• “Here from Milan, Italy.”
• “Appreciate this live streaming on important sessions, big service for those who couldn’t attend!!”
• “My brother survived after six days on ECMO. I am so glad to have him.”
• “It’s a great chance for physicians working in pulmonology and general practice to get the pearls of guidelines from American College to improve clinical practice. Now distance doesn’t matter”

Plans are underway for live streaming from CHEST 2018 in San Antonio. To view the CHEST 2017 live stream videos, visit CHEST’s Facebook page, facebook.com/accpchest.

Editorial

Introducing the CHEST Teaching, Education, and Career Hub

Dr. G. T. Bosslet and Dr. M. Miles
 

Training, Education, and Career Hub - TEaCH

Commentary

Higher Priced Older Pharmaceuticals: How Should We Respond?

Dr. R. S. Irwin, et al.
 

Giants in Chest Medicine

Jeffrey M. Drazen, MD, FCCP

Dr. A. S. Slutsky

Evidence-based MedicineClassification of Cough as a Symptom in Adults and Management Algorithms: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report

Dr. R. S. Irwin, et al.
 

Original Research

Three-Hour Bundle Compliance and Outcomes in Patients With Undiagnosed Severe Sepsis

Dr. A. S. Deis, et al.



A Phase II Clinical Trial of Low-Dose Inhaled Carbon Monoxide in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Dr. I. O. Rosas, et al.

Editorial

Introducing the CHEST Teaching, Education, and Career Hub

Dr. G. T. Bosslet and Dr. M. Miles
 

Training, Education, and Career Hub - TEaCH

Commentary

Higher Priced Older Pharmaceuticals: How Should We Respond?

Dr. R. S. Irwin, et al.
 

Giants in Chest Medicine

Jeffrey M. Drazen, MD, FCCP

Dr. A. S. Slutsky

Evidence-based MedicineClassification of Cough as a Symptom in Adults and Management Algorithms: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report

Dr. R. S. Irwin, et al.
 

Original Research

Three-Hour Bundle Compliance and Outcomes in Patients With Undiagnosed Severe Sepsis

Dr. A. S. Deis, et al.



A Phase II Clinical Trial of Low-Dose Inhaled Carbon Monoxide in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Dr. I. O. Rosas, et al.

Editorial

Introducing the CHEST Teaching, Education, and Career Hub

Dr. G. T. Bosslet and Dr. M. Miles
 

Training, Education, and Career Hub - TEaCH

Commentary

Higher Priced Older Pharmaceuticals: How Should We Respond?

Dr. R. S. Irwin, et al.
 

Giants in Chest Medicine

Jeffrey M. Drazen, MD, FCCP

Dr. A. S. Slutsky

Evidence-based MedicineClassification of Cough as a Symptom in Adults and Management Algorithms: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report

Dr. R. S. Irwin, et al.
 

Original Research

Three-Hour Bundle Compliance and Outcomes in Patients With Undiagnosed Severe Sepsis

Dr. A. S. Deis, et al.



A Phase II Clinical Trial of Low-Dose Inhaled Carbon Monoxide in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Dr. I. O. Rosas, et al.

The Elk Grove Village, Illinois, Board of Trustees passed the “Tobacco 21” ordinance that will raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21, which includes nicotine vaping. The policy, which will go into effect January 1, 2018, will protect young people from beginning a lifetime of addiction and, ultimately, save their lives.

Kevin L Kovitz MD, MBA, FCCP, attended the Village Board meeting to advocate for “Tobacco 21.” He is a Sustaining Member of the CHEST Foundation, continually exemplifying what it is to be a lung health champion.

Dr. Kovitz noted, “This policy will protect our kids from the scourge of Big Tobacco and save funding for health-care costs and, most importantly, will ultimately save lives. The ordinance will protect the most vulnerable parts of our population, our children. Raising the legal age puts tobacco products on par with alcohol and protects young adults from developing a dangerous lifelong habit.”

Five US states have also passed Tobacco 21; they include California, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, and Oregon. There are many local ordinances around the country but more are needed.

Advocating for this ordinance demonstrates the effectiveness of grassroots advocacy in our local communities.

The Elk Grove Village, Illinois, Board of Trustees passed the “Tobacco 21” ordinance that will raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21, which includes nicotine vaping. The policy, which will go into effect January 1, 2018, will protect young people from beginning a lifetime of addiction and, ultimately, save their lives.

Kevin L Kovitz MD, MBA, FCCP, attended the Village Board meeting to advocate for “Tobacco 21.” He is a Sustaining Member of the CHEST Foundation, continually exemplifying what it is to be a lung health champion.

Dr. Kovitz noted, “This policy will protect our kids from the scourge of Big Tobacco and save funding for health-care costs and, most importantly, will ultimately save lives. The ordinance will protect the most vulnerable parts of our population, our children. Raising the legal age puts tobacco products on par with alcohol and protects young adults from developing a dangerous lifelong habit.”

Five US states have also passed Tobacco 21; they include California, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, and Oregon. There are many local ordinances around the country but more are needed.

Advocating for this ordinance demonstrates the effectiveness of grassroots advocacy in our local communities.

The Elk Grove Village, Illinois, Board of Trustees passed the “Tobacco 21” ordinance that will raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21, which includes nicotine vaping. The policy, which will go into effect January 1, 2018, will protect young people from beginning a lifetime of addiction and, ultimately, save their lives.

Kevin L Kovitz MD, MBA, FCCP, attended the Village Board meeting to advocate for “Tobacco 21.” He is a Sustaining Member of the CHEST Foundation, continually exemplifying what it is to be a lung health champion.

Dr. Kovitz noted, “This policy will protect our kids from the scourge of Big Tobacco and save funding for health-care costs and, most importantly, will ultimately save lives. The ordinance will protect the most vulnerable parts of our population, our children. Raising the legal age puts tobacco products on par with alcohol and protects young adults from developing a dangerous lifelong habit.”

Five US states have also passed Tobacco 21; they include California, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, and Oregon. There are many local ordinances around the country but more are needed.

Advocating for this ordinance demonstrates the effectiveness of grassroots advocacy in our local communities.

Cardiovascular Medicine and Surgery

The Holy Grail of Blood Pressure Management?
 

Blood pressure treatment recommendations have been confusing over the past few years. The Joint National Committee (JNC) 8 stirred up controversy in 2014 because they raised the recommended tolerating systolic blood pressures, in certain people aged 60 and above, up to 150 mm Hg [James, et al. JAMA. 2014;311(5):507-520]. The new AHA/ACC hypertension guidelines cosponsored by 11 societies generated controversy because they changed the definition of hypertension (normal <120/80 mm Hg, elevated 120-129/80-89, stage 1 130-139/80-89, or stage 2 >140/90) [Whelton et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017 pii:S0735-1097(17)41519-1]. The SPRINT trial [Wright, et al. N Engl J Med. 2015;373:2103-2116] largely influenced these recommendations. SPRINT demonstrated a 25% relative risk reduction of heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular death, or decompensated heart failure with more aggressive blood pressure management (BP goal <120/90 vs <140/90).

This new classification would label 46% of Americans, or 103.3 million people, as hypertensive. However, there is uncertainty in how broadly applicable the SPRINT results are, particularly in those under the age of 45. The majority of large clinical trials, including SPRINT, have limited numbers of patients who were less than 50 years old and, therefore, it is unknown if younger patients benefit to the same degree. The absolute improvement is also questionable because as an editorial points out [Welch, “Don’t Let New Blood Pressure Guidelines Raise Yours” NY Times. Nov. 15, 2017], the primary endpoint in SPRINT only occurred in less than or equal to 8% of patients.

These guidelines reinforce the need to measure ambulatory blood pressures, perform proper in-office blood pressure measurements, and emphasize lifestyle modifications. Whether aggressive blood pressure management is worth the potential risks and the degree to which ideal blood pressure measurement can be applied to real world practices, remains uncertain.

David J. Nagel, MD, PhD Steering Committee Member

Chest Infections

Candida auris

Invasive fungal infections are frequently managed by ICU physicians and are a leading cause of mortality among critically ill patients. Invasive candidiasis is associated with an attributable mortality rate of up to 49%. Historically, the majority of these infections has been caused by Candida albicans, but this may be changing.

The first outbreak of Candida auris in the Americas (18 patients) occurred in the ICU of a hospital in Venezuela. Resistance to common azoles was documented, and half of the isolates showed decreased susceptibility to amphotericin B. As of August 2017, a total 153 clinical cases of C auris infection have been reported to CDC from 10 US states; most have occurred in New York and New Jersey.

What has been learned from these cases is that close contacts can be colonized, colonization can be persistent (approximately 9 months), the yeast can survive in the hospital environment, bleach or sporicide is needed for elimination, isolation precautions are recommended as for MDRO bacteria, and serial resistance to echinocandins has been observed.

Principal takeaways:
 

1Candida auris isolates are often MDR, with some strains having elevated MICs to drugs in all the three major classes of antifungal medications.

2The isolates are difficult to identify and require specialized methods, such as MALDI-TOF or molecular identification based on sequencing.

3Misidentification may lead to inappropriate treatment.

4C auris has the propensity to cause outbreaks in health-care settings, as has been reported in several countries, and resistance may result in treatment failure.

Richard Winn, MD, MS, FCCPImmediate Past Chair

References

1. Sarma S. Current perspective on emergence, diagnosis and drug resistance in Candida auris. Infect Drug Resistance. 2017;10:155–165.

2. Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization. Epidemiological Alert: Candida auris outbreaks in health care services. October 3, Washington, DC: PAHO/WHO; 2016.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Global emergence of invasive infections caused by the multidrug-resistant yeast Candida auris. CDC; 2016 [updated June 24, 2016]

Cardiovascular Medicine and Surgery

The Holy Grail of Blood Pressure Management?
 

Blood pressure treatment recommendations have been confusing over the past few years. The Joint National Committee (JNC) 8 stirred up controversy in 2014 because they raised the recommended tolerating systolic blood pressures, in certain people aged 60 and above, up to 150 mm Hg [James, et al. JAMA. 2014;311(5):507-520]. The new AHA/ACC hypertension guidelines cosponsored by 11 societies generated controversy because they changed the definition of hypertension (normal <120/80 mm Hg, elevated 120-129/80-89, stage 1 130-139/80-89, or stage 2 >140/90) [Whelton et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017 pii:S0735-1097(17)41519-1]. The SPRINT trial [Wright, et al. N Engl J Med. 2015;373:2103-2116] largely influenced these recommendations. SPRINT demonstrated a 25% relative risk reduction of heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular death, or decompensated heart failure with more aggressive blood pressure management (BP goal <120/90 vs <140/90).

This new classification would label 46% of Americans, or 103.3 million people, as hypertensive. However, there is uncertainty in how broadly applicable the SPRINT results are, particularly in those under the age of 45. The majority of large clinical trials, including SPRINT, have limited numbers of patients who were less than 50 years old and, therefore, it is unknown if younger patients benefit to the same degree. The absolute improvement is also questionable because as an editorial points out [Welch, “Don’t Let New Blood Pressure Guidelines Raise Yours” NY Times. Nov. 15, 2017], the primary endpoint in SPRINT only occurred in less than or equal to 8% of patients.

These guidelines reinforce the need to measure ambulatory blood pressures, perform proper in-office blood pressure measurements, and emphasize lifestyle modifications. Whether aggressive blood pressure management is worth the potential risks and the degree to which ideal blood pressure measurement can be applied to real world practices, remains uncertain.

David J. Nagel, MD, PhD Steering Committee Member

Chest Infections

Candida auris

Invasive fungal infections are frequently managed by ICU physicians and are a leading cause of mortality among critically ill patients. Invasive candidiasis is associated with an attributable mortality rate of up to 49%. Historically, the majority of these infections has been caused by Candida albicans, but this may be changing.

The first outbreak of Candida auris in the Americas (18 patients) occurred in the ICU of a hospital in Venezuela. Resistance to common azoles was documented, and half of the isolates showed decreased susceptibility to amphotericin B. As of August 2017, a total 153 clinical cases of C auris infection have been reported to CDC from 10 US states; most have occurred in New York and New Jersey.

What has been learned from these cases is that close contacts can be colonized, colonization can be persistent (approximately 9 months), the yeast can survive in the hospital environment, bleach or sporicide is needed for elimination, isolation precautions are recommended as for MDRO bacteria, and serial resistance to echinocandins has been observed.

Principal takeaways:
 

1Candida auris isolates are often MDR, with some strains having elevated MICs to drugs in all the three major classes of antifungal medications.

2The isolates are difficult to identify and require specialized methods, such as MALDI-TOF or molecular identification based on sequencing.

3Misidentification may lead to inappropriate treatment.

4C auris has the propensity to cause outbreaks in health-care settings, as has been reported in several countries, and resistance may result in treatment failure.

Richard Winn, MD, MS, FCCPImmediate Past Chair

References

1. Sarma S. Current perspective on emergence, diagnosis and drug resistance in Candida auris. Infect Drug Resistance. 2017;10:155–165.

2. Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization. Epidemiological Alert: Candida auris outbreaks in health care services. October 3, Washington, DC: PAHO/WHO; 2016.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Global emergence of invasive infections caused by the multidrug-resistant yeast Candida auris. CDC; 2016 [updated June 24, 2016]

Cardiovascular Medicine and Surgery

The Holy Grail of Blood Pressure Management?
 

Blood pressure treatment recommendations have been confusing over the past few years. The Joint National Committee (JNC) 8 stirred up controversy in 2014 because they raised the recommended tolerating systolic blood pressures, in certain people aged 60 and above, up to 150 mm Hg [James, et al. JAMA. 2014;311(5):507-520]. The new AHA/ACC hypertension guidelines cosponsored by 11 societies generated controversy because they changed the definition of hypertension (normal <120/80 mm Hg, elevated 120-129/80-89, stage 1 130-139/80-89, or stage 2 >140/90) [Whelton et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017 pii:S0735-1097(17)41519-1]. The SPRINT trial [Wright, et al. N Engl J Med. 2015;373:2103-2116] largely influenced these recommendations. SPRINT demonstrated a 25% relative risk reduction of heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular death, or decompensated heart failure with more aggressive blood pressure management (BP goal <120/90 vs <140/90).

This new classification would label 46% of Americans, or 103.3 million people, as hypertensive. However, there is uncertainty in how broadly applicable the SPRINT results are, particularly in those under the age of 45. The majority of large clinical trials, including SPRINT, have limited numbers of patients who were less than 50 years old and, therefore, it is unknown if younger patients benefit to the same degree. The absolute improvement is also questionable because as an editorial points out [Welch, “Don’t Let New Blood Pressure Guidelines Raise Yours” NY Times. Nov. 15, 2017], the primary endpoint in SPRINT only occurred in less than or equal to 8% of patients.

These guidelines reinforce the need to measure ambulatory blood pressures, perform proper in-office blood pressure measurements, and emphasize lifestyle modifications. Whether aggressive blood pressure management is worth the potential risks and the degree to which ideal blood pressure measurement can be applied to real world practices, remains uncertain.

David J. Nagel, MD, PhD Steering Committee Member

Chest Infections

Candida auris

Invasive fungal infections are frequently managed by ICU physicians and are a leading cause of mortality among critically ill patients. Invasive candidiasis is associated with an attributable mortality rate of up to 49%. Historically, the majority of these infections has been caused by Candida albicans, but this may be changing.

The first outbreak of Candida auris in the Americas (18 patients) occurred in the ICU of a hospital in Venezuela. Resistance to common azoles was documented, and half of the isolates showed decreased susceptibility to amphotericin B. As of August 2017, a total 153 clinical cases of C auris infection have been reported to CDC from 10 US states; most have occurred in New York and New Jersey.

What has been learned from these cases is that close contacts can be colonized, colonization can be persistent (approximately 9 months), the yeast can survive in the hospital environment, bleach or sporicide is needed for elimination, isolation precautions are recommended as for MDRO bacteria, and serial resistance to echinocandins has been observed.

Principal takeaways:
 

1Candida auris isolates are often MDR, with some strains having elevated MICs to drugs in all the three major classes of antifungal medications.

2The isolates are difficult to identify and require specialized methods, such as MALDI-TOF or molecular identification based on sequencing.

3Misidentification may lead to inappropriate treatment.

4C auris has the propensity to cause outbreaks in health-care settings, as has been reported in several countries, and resistance may result in treatment failure.

Richard Winn, MD, MS, FCCPImmediate Past Chair

References

1. Sarma S. Current perspective on emergence, diagnosis and drug resistance in Candida auris. Infect Drug Resistance. 2017;10:155–165.

2. Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization. Epidemiological Alert: Candida auris outbreaks in health care services. October 3, Washington, DC: PAHO/WHO; 2016.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Global emergence of invasive infections caused by the multidrug-resistant yeast Candida auris. CDC; 2016 [updated June 24, 2016]