Interventional Pulmonary Group
Interventional Pulmonary Group Heading link
The Interventional Pulmonology Group at UIC includes Dr. Kevin Kovitz, Dr. Kevin Haas, Dr. Mary Pasquinelli, and Marisol Munoz, FNP. We have a strong focus in clinical research directed on the advancement in screening, diagnostic, and therapeutic options for lung cancer. UI Health has recently implemented a new ION robotic-assisted bronchoscopy program. This highly sophisticated robotic tool affords improved navigation and precision in locating pulmonary nodules. Future directions of study will focus on implementation of this exciting new technology for early diagnosis and therapy of lung nodules.
Our past publications include lung cancer screening in our high-risk patient population, multiple diagnostic yield of peripheral bronchoscopy studies, and sampling the lung with a cold biopsy probe. In addition to further lung cancer research, we will be focusing on improving safety and timeliness of therapeutic ICU procedures and studying physiology in pleural disease.
Finally, we are members of the Interventional Pulmonary Outcomes Group (IPOG), and will be at the forefront of pioneering new innovation in the field.
The Interventional Pulmonary group, in conjunction with the IPOG, is currently in the process of implementing several multicenter studies evaluating the following:
- Pleural pressure in pneumothorax to better understand the physiology of tension pneumothorax
- Investigating the utility and safety of an ultrasound guided gastrostomy tube placement
- Evaluating use of serum blood markers in risk stratification of pulmonary nodules
- Evaluating performance of a robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform (Ion; Intuitive)
Our group also collaborates with basic science labs for collection of lung pathology, mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes, and pleural fluid used for analysis.
Selected Key Publications Heading link
Pasquinelli MM, Kovitz KL, Koshy M, et al. Outcomes From a Minority-Based Lung Cancer Screening Program vs the National Lung Screening Trial. JAMA Oncol. 2018;4(9):1291–1293. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2018.2823
Haas K, Brillante C, Sharp L, Elzokaky A, Paquinelli M, Feldman L, Kovitz K, Joo M. Lung cancer screening: assessment of health literacy and readability of online educational resources. BMC Public Health. 2018; 18: 1356. PMID: 30526544 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-6278-8
Haas K, Chen A. Indwelling tunneled catheters for the management of hepatic hydrothorax. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2017; 23: 351-356. PMID: 28426468 DOI: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000386
Shojae S, Rahman N, Phil D, Haas K, et al. Indwelling tunneled pleural catheters for refractory hepatic hydrothorax in patients with cirrhosis: a multicenter study. CHEST. 2019; 155: 546-553. PMID: 30171863 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2018.08.1034
Ost DE, Ernst A, Lei X, Kovitz KL, Benzaquen S, Diaz-Mendoza J, Greenhill S, Toth J, Feller-Kopman D, Puchalski J, Baram D, Karunakara R, Jimenez CA, Filner JJ, Morice RC, Eapen GA, Michaud GC, Estrada-Y-Martin RM, Rafeq S, Grosu HB, Ray C, Gilbert CR, Yarmus LB, Simoff M; AQuIRE Bronchoscopy Registry. Diagnostic Yield and Complications of Bronchoscopy for Peripheral Lung Lesions. Results of the AQuIRE Registry. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2016 Jan 1;193(1):68-77. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201507-1332OC. PMID: 26367186; PMCID: PMC4731617.
Sciurba FC, Ernst A, Herth FJ, Strange C, Criner GJ, Marquette CH, Kovitz KL, Chiacchierini RP, Goldin J, McLennan G; VENT Study Research Group. A randomized study of endobronchial valves for advanced emphysema. N Engl J Med. 2010 Sep 23;363(13):1233-44. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa0900928. PMID: 20860505.