ACP Response to Senate Finance Committee White Paper on Bolstering Chronic Care through Physician Payment

ACP Comments on 2025 Physician Fee Schedule, Medicare Shared Savings Program, and Quality Payment Program Proposed Rule

ACP Comments on Proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Rule

The Role of the Physician and the Medical Profession in the Prevention and Treatment of International Torture and in the Treatment of Its Survivors

Physician Regulatory Issues Team Initiatives and Medicare Evaluation and Management Services Documentation Guidelines. Statement to the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council.

Evaluation and Management (E/M) Documentation Guidelines. Statement of the ACP-ASIM Working Group.

Clinical Examples of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Evaluation and Management (E/M) Services Documentation Guidelines (DGs) Project. Letter to Aspen Systems Corporation.

Written Testimony to the House Small Business Committee on Medical Student Loan Debt

Statement for the Record on Developing a Viable Medicare Physician Payment Policy

Hearing before the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee on Physician Organization Efforts to Promote High Quality Care 2012

Long-Term Effects of Individualized Acupuncture for Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial: Annals of Internal Medicine: Vol 177, No 10

Background: Long-term effects of individualized acupuncture in persons with chronic neck pain (CNP) remain unknown. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pressure pain, sensory-based individualized acupuncture for relieving CNP. Design: A 24-week multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial. (ChiCTR1800016371) Setting: Outpatient settings at 4 clinical centers in China from May 2018 to March 2020. Participants: 716 participants with CNP. Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to a waiting list (WL) group or to 1 of 3 interventions, which consisted of 10 sessions over 4 weeks: higher sensitive acupoints (HSA), lower sensitive acupoints (LSA), and sham acupoints (SA) acupuncture groups. Measurements: The primary outcome was the change in the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for neck pain (range, 0 to 100) from baseline to 4 weeks, with a difference of 10 points considered the minimum clinically important threshold. The VAS was also assessed every 4 weeks through 24 weeks. Results: The modified intention-to-treat population included 683 participants. The mean baseline VAS was 50.36, 50.10, 49.24, and 49.16 for HSA, LSA, SA, and WL, respectively. Compared with a mean baseline to week 4 change of −12.16 in the HSA group, the mean changes were −10.19 in the LSA group (net difference [ND], −1.97 [95% CI, −5.03 to 1.09]), −6.11 in the SA group (ND, −6.05 [CI, −9.10 to −3.00]), and −2.24 in the WL group (ND, −9.93 [CI, −12.95 to −6.90]). The intervention effects persisted at 24-week follow-up. Limitation: Lack of complete blinding and limited generalizability. Conclusion: Individualized acupuncture interventions using high- or low-sensitivity acupuncture points were more effective in reducing CNP than SA and WL control groups sustained through 24 weeks, but the magnitude of relative improvement did not reach a minimal clinically important difference. Primary Funding Source: National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Effects of U.S. State Medical Cannabis Laws on Treatment of Chronic Noncancer Pain

Background: State medical cannabis laws may lead patients with chronic noncancer pain to substitute cannabis in place of prescription opioid or clinical guideline–concordant nonopioid prescription pain medications or procedures. Objective: To assess effects of state medical cannabis laws on receipt of prescription opioids, nonopioid prescription pain medications, and procedures for chronic noncancer pain. Design: Using data from 12 states that implemented medical cannabis laws and 17 comparison states, augmented synthetic control analyses estimated laws’ effects on receipt of chronic noncancer pain treatment, relative to predicted treatment receipt in the absence of the law. Setting: United States, 2010 to 2022. Participants: 583 820 commercially insured adults with chronic noncancer pain. Measurements: Proportion of patients receiving any opioid prescription, nonopioid prescription pain medication, or procedure for chronic noncancer pain; volume of each treatment type; and mean days’ supply and mean morphine milligram equivalents per day of prescribed opioids, per patient in a given month. Results: In a given month during the first 3 years of law implementation, medical cannabis laws led to an average difference of 0.05 percentage points (95% CI, −0.12 to 0.21 percentage points), 0.05 percentage points (CI, −0.13 to 0.23 percentage points), and −0.17 percentage points (CI, −0.42 to 0.08 percentage points) in the proportion of patients receiving any opioid prescription, any nonopioid prescription pain medication, or any chronic pain procedure, respectively, relative to what we predict would have happened in that month had the law not been implemented. Limitations: This study used a strong nonexperimental design but relies on untestable assumptions involving parallel counterfactual trends. Statistical power is limited by the finite number of states. Results may not generalize to noncommercially insured populations. Conclusion: This study did not identify important effects of medical cannabis laws on receipt of opioid or nonopioid pain treatment among patients with chronic noncancer pain. Primary Funding Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse.

The Use of Opioids in the Management of Chronic Pain: Synopsis of the 2022 Updated U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guideline

Description: In May 2022, leadership within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) approved a joint clinical practice guideline for the use of opioids when managing chronic pain. This synopsis summarizes the recommendations that the authors believe are the most important to highlight. Methods: In December 2020, the VA/DoD Evidence-Based Practice Work Group assembled a team to update the 2017 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain. The guideline development team included clinical stakeholders and conformed to the National Academy of Medicine's tenets for trustworthy clinical practice guidelines. The guideline team developed key questions to guide a systematic evidence review that was done by an independent third party and distilled 20 recommendations for care using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) system. The guideline team also created 3 one-page algorithms to help guide clinical decision making. This synopsis presents the recommendations and highlights selected recommendations on the basis of clinical relevance. Recommendations: This guideline is intended for clinicians who may be considering opioid therapy to manage patients with chronic pain. This synopsis reviews updated recommendations for the initiation and continuation of opioid therapy; dose, duration, and taper of opioids; screening, assessment, and evaluation; and risk mitigation. New additions are highlighted, including recommendations about the use of buprenorphine instead of full agonist opioids; assessing for behavioral health conditions and factors associated with higher risk for harm, such as pain catastrophizing; and the use of pain and opioid education to reduce the risk for prolonged opioid use for postsurgical pain.

The Management of Major Depressive Disorder: Synopsis of the 2022 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guideline

Description: In February 2022, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) approved a joint clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the management of major depressive disorder (MDD). This synopsis summarizes key recommendations. Methods: Senior leaders within the VA and the DoD assembled a team to update the 2016 CPG for the management of MDD that included clinical stakeholders and conformed to the National Academy of Medicine's tenets for trustworthy CPGs. The guideline panel developed key questions, systematically searched and evaluated the literature, created two 1-page algorithms, and distilled 36 recommendations for care using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) system. Select recommendations that were identified by the authors to represent key changes from the prior CPG are presented in this synopsis. Recommendations: The scope of the CPG is diverse; however, this synopsis focuses on key recommendations that the authors identified as important new evidence and changes to prior recommendations on pharmacologic management, pharmacogenomics, psychotherapy, complementary and alternative therapies, and the use of telemedicine.

Cannabis-Based Products for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review: Annals of Internal Medicine: Vol 175, No 8

Background: Contemporary data are needed about the utility of cannabinoids in chronic pain. Purpose: To evaluate the benefits and harms of cannabinoids for chronic pain. Data Sources: Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus to January 2022. Study Selection: English-language, randomized, placebo-controlled trials and cohort studies (≥1 month duration) of cannabinoids for chronic pain. Data Extraction: Data abstraction, risk of bias, and strength of evidence assessments were dually reviewed. Cannabinoids were categorized by THC-to-CBD ratio (high, comparable, or low) and source (synthetic, extract or purified, or whole plant). Data Synthesis: Eighteen randomized, placebo-controlled trials (n = 1740) and 7 cohort studies (n = 13 095) assessed cannabinoids. Studies were primarily short term (1 to 6 months); 56% enrolled patients with neuropathic pain, with 3% to 89% female patients. Synthetic products with high THC-to-CBD ratios (>98% THC) may be associated with moderate improvement in pain severity and response (≥30% improvement) and an increased risk for sedation and are probably associated with a large increased risk for dizziness. Extracted products with high THC-to-CBD ratios (range, 3:1 to 47:1) may be associated with large increased risk for study withdrawal due to adverse events and dizziness. Sublingual spray with comparable THC-to-CBD ratio (1.1:1) probably is associated with small improvement in pain severity and overall function and may be associated with large increased risk for dizziness and sedation and moderate increased risk for nausea. Evidence for other products and outcomes, including longer-term harms, were not reported or were insufficient. Limitation: Variation in interventions; lack of study details, including unclear availability in the United States; and inadequate evidence for some products. Conclusion: Oral, synthetic cannabis products with high THC-to-CBD ratios and sublingual, extracted cannabis products with comparable THC-to-CBD ratios may be associated with short-term improvements in chronic pain and increased risk for dizziness and sedation. Studies are needed on long-term outcomes and further evaluation of product formulation effects. Primary Funding Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (PROSPERO: CRD42021229579)

Efficacy of Acupuncture for Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Trial: Annals of Internal Medicine: Vol 174, No 10

Background: Acupuncture has promising effects on chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), but high-quality evidence is scarce. Objective: To assess the long-term efficacy of acupuncture for CP/CPPS. Design: Multicenter, randomized, sham-controlled trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03213938) Setting: Ten tertiary hospitals in China. Participants: Men with moderate to severe CP/CPPS, regardless of prior exposure to acupuncture. Intervention: Twenty sessions of acupuncture or sham acupuncture over 8 weeks, with 24-week follow-up after treatment. Measurements: The primary outcome was the proportion of responders, defined as participants who achieved a clinically important reduction of at least 6 points from baseline on the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index at weeks 8 and 32. Ascertainment of sustained efficacy required the between-group difference to be statistically significant at both time points. Results: A total of 440 men (220 in each group) were recruited. At week 8, the proportions of responders were 60.6% (95% CI, 53.7% to 67.1%) in the acupuncture group and 36.8% (CI, 30.4% to 43.7%) in the sham acupuncture group (adjusted difference, 21.6 percentage points [CI, 12.8 to 30.4 percentage points]; adjusted odds ratio, 2.6 [CI, 1.8 to 4.0]; P < 0.001). At week 32, the proportions were 61.5% (CI, 54.5% to 68.1%) in the acupuncture group and 38.3% (CI, 31.7% to 45.4%) in the sham acupuncture group (adjusted difference, 21.1 percentage points [CI, 12.2 to 30.1 percentage points]; adjusted odds ratio, 2.6 [CI, 1.7 to 3.9]; P < 0.001). Twenty (9.1%) and 14 (6.4%) adverse events were reported in the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups, respectively. No serious adverse events were reported. Limitation: Sham acupuncture might have had certain physiologic effects. Conclusion: Compared with sham therapy, 20 sessions of acupuncture over 8 weeks resulted in greater improvement in symptoms of moderate to severe CP/CPPS, with durable effects 24 weeks after treatment. Primary Funding Source: China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Management Options for an Older Adult With Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease and Dementia: Grand Rounds Discussion From Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center: Annals of Internal Medicine: Vol 173, No 3

About 15% of adults in the United States—37 million persons—have chronic kidney disease (CKD). Chronic kidney disease is divided into 5 groups, ranging from stage 1 to stage 5 CKD, whereas end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is defined as permanent kidney failure. The treatment options for ESKD are kidney replacement therapy (KRT) and conservative management. The options for KRT include hemodialysis (either in-center or at home), peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplant. Conservative management, a multidisciplinary model of care for patients with stage 5 CKD who want to avoid dialysis, is guided by patient values, preferences, and goals, with a focus on quality of life and symptom management. In 2015, the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative recommended that patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate below 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 be educated about options for both KRT and conservative management. In 2018, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended that assessment for KRT or conservative management start at least 1 year before the need for therapy. It also recommended that in choosing a management approach, predicted quality of life, predicted life expectancy, patient preferences, and other patient factors be considered, because little difference in outcomes has been found among options. Here, 2 experts—a nephrologist and a general internist–palliative care physician—reflect on the care of a patient with advanced CKD and mild to moderate dementia. They discuss the management options for patients with advanced CKD, the pros and cons of each method, and how to help a patient choose among the options.

Management of Acute Pain From Non–Low Back, Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials: Annals of Internal Medicine: Vol 173, No 9

Background: Patients and clinicians can choose from several treatment options to address acute pain from non–low back, musculoskeletal injuries. Purpose: To assess the comparative effectiveness of outpatient treatments for acute pain from non–low back, musculoskeletal injuries by performing a network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Data Sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database), and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to 2 January 2020. Study Selection: Pairs of reviewers independently identified interventional RCTs that enrolled patients presenting with pain of up to 4 weeks' duration from non–low back, musculoskeletal injuries. Data Extraction: Pairs of reviewers independently extracted data. Certainty of evidence was evaluated by using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach. Data Synthesis: The 207 eligible studies included 32 959 participants and evaluated 45 therapies. Ninety-nine trials (48%) enrolled populations with diverse musculoskeletal injuries, 59 (29%) included patients with sprains, 13 (6%) with whiplash, and 11 (5%) with muscle strains; the remaining trials included various injuries ranging from nonsurgical fractures to contusions. Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) proved to have the greatest net benefit, followed by oral NSAIDs and acetaminophen with or without diclofenac. Effects of these agents on pain were modest (around 1 cm on a 10-cm visual analogue scale, approximating the minimal important difference). Regarding opioids, compared with placebo, acetaminophen plus an opioid improved intermediate pain (1 to 7 days) but not immediate pain (≤2 hours), tramadol was ineffective, and opioids increased the risk for gastrointestinal and neurologic harms (all moderate-certainty evidence). Limitations: Only English-language studies were included. The number of head-to-head comparisons was limited. Conclusion: Topical NSAIDs, followed by oral NSAIDs and acetaminophen with or without diclofenac, showed the most convincing and attractive benefit–harm ratio for patients with acute pain from non–low back, musculoskeletal injuries. No opioid achieved benefit greater than that of NSAIDs, and opioids caused the most harms. Primary Funding Source: National Safety Council. (PROSPERO: CRD42018094412)

Would You Refer This Patient With Cancer to a Palliative Care Specialist?: Grand Rounds Discussion From Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center: Annals of Internal Medicine: Vol 170, No 7

In 2016, the American Society of Clinical Oncology published a guideline recommending that all patients with advanced cancer be referred to palliative care providers. This recommendation was based on a series of trials showing that palliative care, when added to standard oncology treatment, improves outcomes, including quality of life. Here, 2 oncologists, 1 of whom is also a palliative care specialist, debate the guideline and discuss how best to care for a 71-year-old woman with metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma who has a short life expectancy but feels well and has no symptoms related to her cancer or chemotherapy.

Using Public Cost Information During Low Back Pain Visits: A Qualitative Study: Annals of Internal Medicine: Vol 170, No 9_Supplement

Background: Patients desire information about health care costs because they are increasingly responsible for these costs. Public Web sites that offer cost information could inform provider–patient discussions of costs at the point of care. Objective: To evaluate tools to facilitate the use of publicly available cost information during clinical visits for low back pain (LBP). Design: Qualitative study using individual and group interviews and surveys. Setting: 6 rural primary care practices in 2 health systems in Maine. Participants: Practice staff (n = 50) and adult patients with LBP (n = 72). Intervention: Participating health systems and practices were offered financial incentives, a series of trainings, and technical assistance to pilot tools for discussing costs of LBP care using CompareMaine.org, Maine's cost and quality transparency Web site. Measurements: Integration of tools into workflow, awareness and value to providers, and patient experience were identified through 11 group interviews with practice staff (n = 25) and health system leaders (n = 11), provider (n = 25), and patient (n = 47) surveys; patient interviews (n = 5); and administrative data. Results: The intervention increased provider and consumer awareness of CompareMaine.org, but minimally changed use in clinical discussions as a result of fewer-than-expected patients with LBP, limited system support, workflow barriers, and providers' reluctance to adopt the tools because of perceptions of limited value for their patients. In contrast, patients valued cost conversations and found the tools useful, and over one half reported intending to use CompareMaine.org during future care decisions. Limitations: Generalizability was limited by the small number of practices and participants. Lower-than-anticipated participation precluded examination of the effect of the tool on the frequency of cost-of-care conversations. Conclusion: This multicomponent intervention to introduce publicly reported cost information into LBP clinical discussions had low provider uptake. Whereas cost conversations and CompareMaine.org were perceived as useful by participating patients with LBP, providers were uncomfortable discussing cost variation at the point of care. Successful use of public cost information during clinical visits will require normalizing use to a broader group of patients and greater provider outreach and health system engagement. Primary Funding Source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Autopsy Case of Colonic Plasmablastic Lymphoma Exhibiting Unique Endoscopic Phenotypic Changes During Ulcerative Colitis Therapy | Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL), a rare and aggressive CD20-negative B-cell lymphoma, has been increasingly recognized in individuals who are HIV-negative and who are also immunosuppressed. To our knowledge, we report the first autopsy case of a 74-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis (UC) who developed colonic PBL under immunosuppressive therapy. Serial colonoscopies demonstrated a morphologic transformation from serpiginous ulcers to elevated lesions. The patient ultimately died because of carcinomatous lymphangitis. Autopsy showed widespread metastases and numerous flat elevated lesions with lobulations throughout the colon. This case demonstrates a unique endoscopic phenotypic transition in colonic PBL, suggesting the importance of careful monitoring for timely diagnosis in immunosuppressed UC patients.

Chronic Q Fever Masquerading as Granulomatous Disease: A Diagnostic Challenge | Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases

Chronic Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, can mimic sarcoidosis and cause diagnostic delays. We report a 45-year-old Iranian man with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement, found to have splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia, later developing fatigue, night sweats, weight loss, polyarthralgia, and persistent cytopenia. Lymphoma was initially suspected, but biopsies showed rare noncaseating granulomas. Sarcoidosis was considered. However, symptoms persisted despite corticosteroids. An infectious disease work-up confirmed chronic Q fever. This case underscores the need to include Q fever in the differential of unexplained granulomatous disease, particularly when atypical for sarcoidosis or refractory to immunosuppression.

Chronic Eosinophilic Pneumonia With Multiple Drug-Related Risk Factors: Diagnosis and Management | Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases

Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is a rare illness characterized by pneumonic infiltrates with peripheral eosinophilia. The underlying cause is unknown, but it is associated with multiple medications. The present article reports a woman in her 60s with a history of chronic sinusitis and asthma who presented with subacute cough and hemoptysis and significant peripheral and bronchioalveolar eosinophilia. This patient also had anxiety and depression treated chronically with trazodone and venlafaxine, which are associated with eosinophilic pneumonia. Symptoms promptly resolved within 24 hours following steroid treatment. This article highlights the diagnostic challenge eosinophilic pneumonia presents.

A Peculiar Manifestation of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia in Lymphoid Blast Crisis | Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases

A 61-year-old man with a history of factor V Leiden mutation, hypothyroidism, and transient ischemic attacks presented to his physician's office but could not recall the reason for his visit. Initial laboratory test results showed a slight leukocytosis with slight basophilia; neuro-immunologic, infectious, and metabolic work-up was unrevealing. Flow cytometry results showed atypical B lymphoblasts. Bone marrow biopsy results revealed a hypercellular bone marrow with CD10 staining lymphoblasts and Philadelphia chromosomal translocation. Hematologic malignancy fusion panel results revealed BCR/ABL1 fusion with p210 oncoprotein, establishing the diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia in lymphoid blast crisis—a peculiar manifestation of a disease that usually manifests with significant leukocytosis.

Cryoglobulinemic Glomerulonephritis Presenting as Acute Kidney Injury on Chronic Kidney Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis | Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases

Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV) is one of the manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we present a case of a 69-year-old woman with uncontrolled long-standing RA who presented with heart failure exacerbation and had an incidental finding of persistent acute kidney injury, which led to the diagnosis of CV. The rarity of its co-occurrence with RA and the serious consequences from progressive kidney damage makes this case a key learning encounter.

Pulmonary Mucormycosis With Dissemination: A Case of Unrelenting Fever and Chest Pain | Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases

Pulmonary mucormycosis is a rare entity that requires a high index of clinical suspicion for diagnosis. Untreated mucormycosis results in dissemination with exceedingly high mortality rates. Here, we present the patient case of a previously healthy 21-year-old man who presented with fever, dyspnea, chest pain, and progressive pulmonary consolidation. This patient case highlights the expanded differential diagnosis of presumed bacterial pneumonia that fails to respond to initial management and details the clinical, radiographic, and pathologic findings consistent with diagnosing pulmonary mucormycosis.

Antibiotic and Surgical Treatment of a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt-Related Soft Tissue Abscess Caused by Brucella melitensis | Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases

We report on the antibiotic and surgical treatment of a woman who presented with an abscess caused by Brucella melitensis related to a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, which is an atypical presentation of brucellosis. There were no signs of neurologic, osteoarticular, or peritoneal infection. The abscess initially healed after ultrasound-guided drainage and antibiotic treatment with gentamycin/doxycycline for 5 days, followed by doxycycline/ciprofloxacin for 8 weeks, allowing shunt preservation. Three months after treatment ended, however, a relapse occurred that required partial surgical shunt revision and readministration of antibiotics. Seven months after surgery and 12 months after the initial diagnosis, the patient's remission status has been maintained.

Sequential Drug-Induced DRESS Syndrome With Severe Rhabdomyolysis and Probable Myocarditis: A Case Report | Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases

DRESS (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) is a severe hypersensitivity syndrome with multiorgan involvement. An 81-year-old man with cardiomyopathy and stage IV chronic kidney disease developed DRESS syndrome after sequential exposure to allopurinol and vancomycin. He presented with diffuse rash, eosinophilia, transaminitis, severe rhabdomyolysis (CK 19,228 U/L), and probable myocarditis (troponin 9,712 ng/L). Corticosteroids started late, and a repeat vancomycin dose was temporally associated with rapid multiorgan deterioration and death. This case illustrates a rare presentation of DRESS syndrome with concurrent rhabdomyolysis and myocarditis, emphasizing the lethality of delayed diagnosis and sequential exposure to high-risk agents.

Bevacizumab-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Femur: A Case Report | Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases

Osteonecrosis, also known as avascular necrosis, is bone death due to impaired blood supply. Established risk factors include trauma, corticosteroids, and alcohol. Antiangiogenic agents, such as bevacizumab, may contribute to this effect by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor and impairing the formation of new blood vessels. Bevacizumab is approved for multiple malignancies, including non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We describe a case of a 63-year-old African American man with stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the lung who developed femoral head osteonecrosis after extended bevacizumab therapy. This case underscores the importance of monitoring musculoskeletal complications in patients on long-term antiangiogenic therapy.

Cardiac Tamponade Due to Entamoeba histolytica in a Patient in a Nonendemic Region | Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases

Entamoeba histolytica infection is classically associated with intestinal disease and liver abscesses in endemic regions. Pericardial involvement with cardiac tamponade is an exceptionally rare, life-threatening complication. We present a case of a 58-year-old man in the United States with no recent travel who developed pericardial tamponade due to diaphragmatic communication with an E histolytica liver abscess. His case underscores the need to consider parasitic infections in the differential diagnosis of purulent pericardial effusions, even in nonendemic areas, and demonstrates how serologic testing and multidisciplinary collaboration were critical for diagnosis and management of this unexpected condition.

Joint guidelines on Lyme disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment open for comment

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POCUS cases from Mayo Clinic | ACP Hospitalist

NSTEMI algorithm, metabolic acidemia, and more | ACP Hospitalist

PCPs in the hospital | ACP Hospitalist

Blood transfusions and complications | ACP Hospitalist

The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh | ACP Hospitalist

Recent Research | ACP Hospitalist

Recent Research | ACP Hospitalist