Farzad Refahi

Let’s read an article a month – March 11, 2020

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Screenshot of the first page of the article by Morgan et al. Ready by Farzad Refahi and shared on www.Respiratory.Blog

An Article A Month

Every month I try to read an open-access article. After reading the article, I share the tittle and associated link with my followers. This is to encourage clinicians to read articles, stay up to date, and continue to grow.

I found an article on March 9th, 2020. I spent a few days with it, and now I share it with you.

Variability In Expiratory Flow Requirements Among Oscillatory Positive Expiratory Pressure Devices 


by Sherwin E. Morgan, RRT, Steven Mosakowski, RRT, MBA, Brenda L. Giles, MD, Edward Naureckas, MD, Avery Tung, MD, FCCM
Published online March 4, 2020. Available on The Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy (CJRT) : https://www.cjrt.ca/wp-content/uploads/cjrt-2019-025.pdf

Top 3 Reasons Why I enjoyed this Article

Firstly, this article is quick and easy to read.

Secondly, I had forgotten about the various Oscillatory Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) devices on the market. This article was a nice introduction to various flows and pressures required to operate the units. The authors provide a recommendation for which units to be used by which population (small vs. larger patients) on page 10.

Thirdly, in the introduction the authors discuss the proper technique for using these devices (referencing Olsen et. al). You can find this description on pages 7 and 8.

Once again, you can view this article by visiting CJRT (which is owned by Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists): https://www.cjrt.ca/wp-content/uploads/cjrt-2019-025.pdf

Happy Reading! Let me know what you think.

Farzad Refahi
http://respiratory.blog/lets-read-an-article-a-month-march-11-2020/
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Thank you, Dan Pinard!

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The other day I received a Pulmonary Function Testing question that I had not dealt with lately. I provided a short answer but did mention that I will connect with a trusted expert. Here is a quick shoutout to Dan Pinard from Novus Medical Inc. Thank you for the quick and comprehensive answer!

If you have read any of my annual Thank You posts, that I write during RT Week, Novus Medical Inc. is a recurrent name. Once again, they are supporting the PFT Symposium in Canada. This year, 2020, the symposium is on September 18th and 19th and takes place at Radisson Vancouver Airport Hotel.

From my understanding, more information will become available as soon as speakers have confirmed their invitations. For more information, you can visit https://www.cacpt.ca/conference/ . Also, to learn more about the great team at Novus Medical Inc. visit: https://www.novusmedical.ca/about-us .

I will let you know as I find out more about the event!

Farzad Refahi

Let’s read an article a month – March 06, 2020

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Snapshot of the first page of the article.

Every month I try to read an open-access article. After reading the article, I share the tittle and associated link with my followers. This is to encourage clinicians to read articles, stay up to date, and continue to grow.

I found an article on Feb 27th, 2020. I spent a few days with it, and now I share it with you.

A spatially restricted fibrotic niche in pulmonary fibrosis is sustained
by M-CSF/M-CSFR signalling in monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages by Nikita Joshi et al.
 
 Eur Respir J 2020 55:1900646; published ahead of print 2019, doi: 10.1183/13993003.00646-2019 https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/erj/55/1/1900646.full.pdf

This article is well written and easy to follow. I must admit that it is too specialized and technical for my comfort level, but I still enjoyed it.

What this study demonstrates? Many elements were discussed but here is a very simple summary to get you interested:

“Our findings suggest that inhibition of M-CSFR (macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor) signalling during fibrosis disrupts an essential fibrotic niche that includes monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages and fibroblasts during asbestos-induced fibrosis.” p1

Happy reading!

Farzad Refahi

Get Involved

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There are various ways that you can get involved with your respiratory therapy organizations in Canada. Some take a minute to do, some five minutes, and some requiring a few hours a week on an ongoing basis. You can make a difference, and you should not take that lightly or for granted.

Fast and Easy Involvement

Takes a minute to find your respiratory therapy organizations on social media platforms. Follow them. It helps you stay up to date, and by sharing the relevant and important posts, you help with spreading the word, advocating and promoting the profession.

Takes a Few Minutes but You Will Help Shape Things On a Larger Scale

Our national organization, Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists, is filling a few spots on the board of directors. Put aside 5 minutes to read the biographies and letters of intent. The voting process takes just a minute. Have your say, and help shape the future of our profession on the national level. Go to www.CSRT.com and vote! The deadline is tomorrow!

Have Some Time To Volunteer On An Ongoing Basis?

Have a desire to help and support your provincial organization? RTSO is recruiting for various position and roles. Visit www.RTSO.ca for more details. I have been volunteering with RTSO for more than 2 years, and have assisted with various projects. I have learned from many amazing volunteers over this time.

Together, We Are Stronger!

We can make a difference. Renew your national and provincial RT memberships!

Farzad Refahi

Let’s read an article a month –Feb. 21, 2020

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Photo of the article’s first page.

Every month I try to read an open access article. After reading the article, I share the tittle and associated link with my followers. This is to encourage clinicians to reads articles, stay up to date and continue to grow.

The article I read on Friday was:

Bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulation for treatment of adult obstructive sleep apnoea by Peter R. Eastwood et al.

Eur Respir J 2020 55:1901320; published ahead of print 2019, doi:10.1183/13993003.01320-2019 OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/55/1/1901320?etoc

I am not here to endorse this technology or this approach to manage Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). I am learning about it and sharing it with you. It did open my eyes to another approach which apparently has been around for some time. I appreciated the innovations. Compliance with CPAP units, the current gold stands, is low. The authors do mention that, and I have personally witnessed it when I worked for a CPAP company (casually for around 2 years).

I don’t need to express my personal thoughts on this as the authors have done a great job of describing the technology (GEnio system), what’s make it unique, the limitation of the study, and also the opportunities it brings.

It is a small study, n=22, with few participants. There is no control group.

This approach did open up the discussion to devices that deliver bilateral stimulation of hypoglossal nerve, includes minimal incision, and lacks an implanted battery (p10).

What are your thoughts and take on this?