Pneumothorax

Researchers are studying biomarkers from 129Xe gas exchange MRI to understand how they change with different medical interventions. The study focuses on interactions between 129Xe and red blood cells in the lungs. Participants include healthy volunteers and patients with conditions like interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, acute or chronic pulmonary embolism, anemia, polycythemia, and dyspnea. The study uses hyperpolarized xenon gas inhaled in multiple doses followed by breath holds, alongside oxygen administration. Participants are grouped by treatment: those undergoing transfusion or phlebotomy, patients receiving oxygen for lung-related conditions or healthy volunteers, and those recently diagnosed with acute or chronic pulmonary embolism. Treatments and responses are monitored at baseline and various follow-up points. Participants will undergo MRI scans to measure red blood cell transfer, chemical shifts after oxygen delivery, and changes in red blood cell signal oscillations before and after treatment. The study includes visits up to 3–6 months after interventions to track changes. Researchers also monitor safety and participant adherence throughout the study, which lasts until mid-2028.

Researchers are evaluating postoperative pain in patients undergoing minimally invasive pulmonary lobectomy and/or segmentectomy for resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study compares the use of small-bore (16F) chest drains to the standard large-bore (24F) chest drains. It aims to determine if smaller chest tubes and earlier removal can reduce pain and improve recovery without compromising safety. This is a prospective randomized controlled trial conducted at a single center. Participants are assigned to one of four groups: small-bore (16F) chest tubes removed early (2 to 6 hours after surgery), small-bore tubes removed at standard time (1 day post-op), large-bore (24F) tubes removed early, or large-bore tubes removed at standard time. The study monitors safety and feasibility of early chest drain removal and compares effects of tube size and timing on postoperative outcomes. During the study, pain levels are assessed multiple times within the first three days after surgery, at discharge, and during follow-ups at 30 and 180 days. Researchers also track analgesic use, duration of drainage, fluid output, hospital stay length, complications, rehospitalization, mortality, chronic pain, and quality of life. Participants can expect detailed monitoring and evaluations throughout hospitalization and at follow-up visits up to six months after surgery.

This research aims to develop a new ultrasonographic method to measure regional pulmonary strain in patients who have lung diseases and are receiving mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit. Mechanical ventilation, while often necessary, can sometimes cause lung injury due to excessive strain or overdistension, especially in patients with severe lung conditions. The study intends to collect initial data on local pleural strain to assist in planning larger studies and potentially help prevent ventilator-induced lung injury. The study involves using lung ultrasonography to image the pleura at four specific locations on the chest in mechanically ventilated patients. The imaging will be performed using a Terason device with a 12L5 linear ultrasound probe, positioned perpendicularly to the pleura. Three consecutive breathing cycles will be recorded at each site. An experienced ultrasonographer and a technician will analyze the images using an algorithm to calculate various pulmonary strain measurements. Participants will undergo lung ultrasound imaging during their ICU stay, with images taken at four predetermined sites on the chest. Researchers will measure several strain components such as lateral and axial deformation and shear using specialized software. The primary outcome is the average absolute lateral deformation measured on the first day. Other measurements include various deformation ranges and shear values. The study's total duration for each participant is based on data collected during Day 1 of their ICU ventilation period.

This observational study aims to understand how force feedback instruments are useful during surgeries performed with the da Vinci 5 robotic system. It focuses on procedures such as inguinal and ventral hernia repairs, colorectal, thoracic, gynecologic surgeries, and partial nephrectomy. The study is designed to gather information on how these instruments perform during robotic-assisted surgery. Participants will undergo multi-port robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci 5 system equipped with force feedback instruments, which provide tactile sensations. The study observes surgeries planned as primary procedures with these instruments, without altering the treatment. There is no experimental drug or placebo involved, as this is an observational study conducted after the devices have been marketed. During the study, researchers will measure the force applied to tissues by the force feedback instruments during surgery and evaluate how useful these instruments are during specific steps of the procedure before patient discharge. Participants will be followed up as per the study protocol to ensure data quality. The total participation time varies depending on the surgical procedure and follow-up schedule.

This research aims to evaluate the performance of Caption LungAI, a software designed to assist healthcare professionals in capturing lung ultrasound images. It focuses on patients experiencing shortness of breath with suspected B-Lines, a lung pathology. The study is interventional and is sponsored by Caption Health, Inc., seeking to compare image quality and diagnostic accuracy using this technology. Participants will undergo two lung ultrasound exams using an 8-zone protocol. One exam is performed by an expert without the software, lasting about 5 to 10 minutes. The second exam is done by a trained non-expert healthcare provider using Caption LungAI, taking approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Both sets of images will be analyzed for diagnostic quality and detection of B-Lines. During the study, researchers will assess the quality of images taken by trained professionals using Caption LungAI, the detection and significance of B-Lines, and the performance of remote image readers. These assessments will occur up to 24 weeks after study completion. Participants will be monitored throughout, and results will help understand the software's ability to aid non-expert providers in lung ultrasound imaging.

Researchers are evaluating the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to diagnose acute pulmonary edema in adults who come to the emergency department with sudden breathing difficulties and respiratory failure. The study focuses on measuring the respiratory variation in the diameter of the inferior vena cava (IVC) to identify heart-related fluid buildup in the lungs. It also explores whether combining IVC ultrasound with lung and cardiac ultrasound, plus clinical and lab data like hemoglobin and plasma protein changes, improves diagnosis and risk assessment. This is a single-center, prospective observational study enrolling adults aged 18 and older who present with acute dyspnea and respiratory failure. Participants will receive standard clinical evaluations including lab tests and chest imaging, along with ultrasound assessments at admission, one hour later, and when possible, 24 to 48 hours afterward. The study does not involve any experimental treatments but observes and records diagnostic data during routine care. Participants will undergo multiple assessments, including ultrasound scans of the IVC, lungs, and heart, clinical evaluations, and laboratory tests. Researchers will measure the accuracy of IVC diameter changes at admission and after one hour in diagnosing pulmonary edema. They will also analyze early changes in hemoglobin and plasma proteins as indicators of fluid shifts. Clinical outcomes such as hospital admission, need for increased care, and mortality will be tracked, with the overall study period lasting until November 2028.

Researchers are conducting a study called Acutelines, a large data and biobank project at the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands. It focuses on patients with a wide range of acute medical conditions who present to the Emergency Department. The goal is to improve how acute diseases are recognized and treated, understand their outcomes, and support personalized medicine by collecting detailed clinical data, imaging, and biomaterials over time. Participants have their medical information, including demographics, health status, medical history, vital signs, diagnostic tests, and treatments, systematically collected. Biomaterials such as blood, urine, feces, and hair are gathered from patients who meet certain severity criteria. Data collection occurs during hospital admission, including continuous monitoring, and continues with follow-ups at 3 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years after the initial emergency visit. Throughout the study, various assessments are performed, such as quality of life, physical functioning, mental health, symptoms, and hospital length of stay. Researchers collect data on mortality and other health outcomes for up to 50 years. The study uses digital tools to automate data capture and integrates information from multiple healthcare sources. Participants will be monitored closely during hospitalization and at scheduled intervals afterward to help improve understanding and treatment of acute diseases.

Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is a common and urgent problem in the Emergency Department that requires quick and accurate diagnosis to ensure timely treatment. Researchers are evaluating whether point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), performed by emergency medicine specialists and residents with limited ultrasound training, can improve diagnostic accuracy for patients with dyspnea compared to routine assessments. This study focuses on several important diagnoses such as heart failure, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and exacerbations of chronic lung diseases. In this prospective observational study, specially trained emergency physicians will use a structured ultrasound protocol to examine the lungs, heart, and inferior vena cava of adult patients presenting with severe dyspnea or low oxygen levels. After an initial routine clinical assessment, the physician will estimate the likelihood of key diagnoses. Following this, a certified colleague will perform POCUS and share the results, allowing the initial physician to update their diagnostic estimates. Additional tests like chest imaging and blood markers will also be collected as part of routine care. Participants will be adults arriving with serious respiratory distress or hypoxia in the Emergency Department. Researchers will compare the diagnostic accuracy before and after POCUS by reviewing the final discharge diagnosis. Outcome measures include sensitivity and specificity of diagnoses such as heart failure and pneumonia. Safety is monitored by ensuring no delay in urgent care, and all patients will undergo routine clinical testing. The study aims to improve diagnostic tools for emergency doctors and enhance patient care during acute breathlessness episodes.

Researchers are studying ways to detect, measure, and treat air leaks that happen during lung surgery. The goal is to reduce complications, problems after surgery, and hospital stays for patients who have lung tissue removed. This research uses human lungs removed during transplant surgeries to create a stable and effective lung model for testing these methods. The lungs from transplant patients will be kept in a special acrylic box at 37 degrees Celsius and mechanically ventilated through an inserted tube to simulate breathing. Different procedures will be performed, including creating air leaks by stapling or cutting the lung tissue. A novel bio-adhesive sealant will be applied to these leaks to test its ability to seal them. The seal will be checked using gas and water techniques, and air leaks will be measured using an automated drainage system. Participants will not be directly involved since the study uses removed lungs. Researchers will perform multiple procedures on the lungs, collect tissue samples, and take images to find the best model settings. Lung tissue temperature, blood vessel pressure, and other factors will be monitored. The main outcomes measured are detecting and localizing air leaks and reducing their size by 80% with the bio sealant. The study follows a 48-month timeline for these assessments, with all lung specimens processed according to transplant protocols after testing.

Researchers are evaluating the use of auricular acupressure to enhance overall health and prehabilitation benefits in patients preparing for major lung surgery. This study focuses on adults aged 50 years or older who are candidates for lung procedures such as wedge resection, segmentectomy, lobectomy, bilobectomy, or pneumonectomy. Auricular acupuncture, which targets specific points on the ear, has shown benefits in managing pain, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and mood issues, making it a promising approach for preoperative support. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving auricular acupressure at specific therapeutic points or a control group receiving sham acupressure at non-therapeutic points. The acupressure seeds will be placed during a clinic visit, with instructions given to the patient and their care partner on how to press the seeds to apply pressure for two minutes per point. The seeds are removed before the patient leaves the clinic. This intervention is designed to be used during a prehabilitation period lasting at least two weeks before surgery. During the study, patients and their care partners will participate in seed placement and pressing as demonstrated by the research staff. The study will monitor enrollment numbers over two weeks and assess the ease of participation by the end of four weeks. Patients must be able to perform spirometry testing and have access to a smartphone for communication and image sharing. The study includes follow-up assessments focused on the patient's ability to take part in the intervention and the overall impact on prehabilitation efforts.