New ATS Guideline Aids in Diagnosing Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia
The American Thoracic Society has published a new clinical practice guideline to help physicians diagnose primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a rare, chronic disease that affects breathing beginning very early in life. The guideline appears online and in the June 15 edition of the Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
For over four decades, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been used to diagnose PCD on the basis of defects in the ciliary axoneme, the central core of the cilium. TEM is not highly sensitive or specific in diagnosing PCD, and several adjuvant diagnostic methods have emerged.
The ATS guideline committee reviewed studies evaluating four different methods of diagnosing PCD and rated the strength of study findings using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) system.
In the absence of a single definitive test for PCD, the committee recommends that a panel of tests be used to make the diagnosis.
Deadline Approaching! ATS 2019: Call for Input
The American Thoracic Society is seeking program proposals for the ATS 2019 International Conference, May 17–22, in Dallas, Texas. This is a great opportunity to share your insights and expertise, and inspire colleagues from around the world at the leading scientific conference in respiratory medicine!
The ATS is accepting input for sessions in all areas of respiratory, critical care, and sleep medicine, with a clinical, basic science, and/or translational focus. All proposals must be submitted online through the ATS Call for Input website.
Deadline: June 27, 2018 (5 p.m. ET).
See the complete submission guidelines.
Member Benefit Spotlight
Members can save big on Springer respiratory books! The series is edited by past ATS president, Sharon I. Rounds, MD. Enjoy access to all electronic content for free, as well as discounts on print editions, for more than 30 titles.
New and forthcoming titles include:
- Respiratory Medicine.
- Pulmonary Function Testing.
- Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease.
- Lung Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- Pulmonary Complications of Non-Pulmonary Pediatric Disorders.
Log in to take advantage of the Springer books member benefit.
Member benefits also include a wide range of other opportunities, additional perks, and discounts to help you plan your summer vacation, such as car rentals. Available to ATS members through Avis and Budget.
Refilling your office with supplies for the new year? Be sure to check out ATS discounts at Office Max/Office Depot.
A complete list of member benefits is available on our website. Read more.
Save the Date! 2018 Latin American Critical Care Conference
Join the ATS, the Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia, and Asociacón Latinoamericana de Tórax (ALAT) for the 2018 Latin American Critical Care Conference, “Treatment of the Acutely Decompensating Patient: Best Practices for Mechanical Ventilation,” this September in São Paulo, Brazil.
Presenters include Marcelo Amato, MD; Laurent Brouchard, MD, HDR; Trish Kritek, MD, EDM; Bob Kacmarek, PhD, RRT; and Carmen Barbas, MD, PhD.
When: September 6–8, 2018
Where: São Paulo, Brazil
MyATS Expands Collaboration Features
MyATS is expanding your ability to collaborate!
Since last December, the MyATS web platform has allowed ATS members to customize their web experience by identifying their “favorite” web pages on the ATS website and saving them in their MyATS dashboard. Now, through direct chat functionality, members are able to message one another, and form chat groups, both public and private, in which they can connect and discuss areas of common concern, or collaborate in working groups.
Additional features in MyATS are under development, with roll-out anticipated for the end of 2018.
Learn more about MyATS, and get started!
