Interventional Pulmonology: Extending the Breadth of Thoracic Care

Annu Rev Med. 2023 Oct 12. doi: 10.1146/annurev-med-050922-060929. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTInterventional pulmonary medicine has developed as a subspecialty focused on the management of patients with complex thoracic disease. Leveraging minimally invasive techniques, interventional pulmonologists diagnose and treat pathologies that previously required more invasive options such as surgery. By mitigating procedural risk, interventional pulmonologists have extended the reach of care to a wider pool of vulnerable patients who require therapy. Endoscopic innovations, including endobronchial ultrasound and robotic and electromagnetic bronchoscopy, have enhanced the ability to perform diagnostic procedures on an ambulatory basis. Therapeutic procedures for patients with symptomatic airway disease, pleural disease, and severe emphysema have provided the ability to palliate symptoms. The combination of medical and procedural expertise has made interventional pulmonologists an integral part of comprehensive care teams for patients with oncologic, airway, and pleural needs. This review surveys key areas in which interventional pulmonologists have impacted the care of thoracic disease through bronchoscopic intervention. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Medicine, Volume 75 is January 2024. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.PMID:37827195 | DOI:10.1146/annurev-med-050922-060929
Source: Annual Review of Medicine - Category: General Medicine Authors: Source Type: research