ARDS, which is characterized by hypoxemic respiratory failure and inflammatory injury to the lungs, has a mortality rate of 30% to 40%. Balasubramanian Venkatesh, MD, of the George Institute for Global Health joins JAMA Deputy Editor Kristin Walter, MD, MS, to discuss the effects of inhaled sedation with sevoflurane for patients with moderate to severe ARDS. Related Content:

• Sevoflurane Sedation in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
• Inhaled Sedation in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new draft regulatory guidance for pulse oximeters related to skin pigment. The guidance is a step forward but it may have unintended consequences. Authors Michael Lipnick, MD, and Philip Bicker, MD, PhD, professors of anesthesia at University of California, San Francisco, discuss this and more with JAMA Executive Editor Gregory Curfman, MD. Related Content:

• Pulse Oximetry and Skin Pigmentation—New Guidance From the FDA
• Adherence to FDA Guidance on Pulse Oximetry Testing Among Diverse Individuals, 1996-2024
• Addressing Racial and Ethnic Bias in Pulse Oximeters—A Wicked Problem
• Evaluating the Accuracy of Pulse Oximetry in Children According to Race

The CAUGHT-CAD randomized clinical trial sought to determine whether a CAC score-informed strategy could slow the progression of coronary plaque volume. Author Thomas H. Marwick of the Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute joins JAMA Associate Editor Pradeep Natarajan to discuss "Effects of Combining Coronary Calcium Score With Treatment on Plaque Progression in Familial Coronary Artery Disease." Related Content:

• Effects of Combining Coronary Calcium Score With Treatment on Plaque Progression in Familial Coronary Artery Disease
• Cardiac CT Calcium Score
• Coronary Artery Calcium Testing—Too Early, Too Late, Too Often
• Filling the Evidence Gaps Toward a Coronary Artery Calcium-Guided Primary Prevention Strategy

The HEALEY ALS platform is an innovative first attempt at platform trials in ALS, looking to slow ALS disease progression. Author Sabrina Paganoni, MD, PhD, of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, discusses results of the first 4 drug regimens from this platform trial and how this study design makes efficient use of resources, with JAMA Deputy Editor Christopher Muth, MD. Related Content:

• Platform Clinical Trials for the Efficient Evaluation of Multiple Treatments
• Pridopidine in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Platform Trials in ALS
• Verdiperstat in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Efficacy and Safety of Zilucoplan in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• CNM-Au8 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Understanding health conditions with the most spending and variation across locations and over time is important for identifying trends, inequalities, and strategies for lowering health spending. Joseph Dieleman, PhD, of the University of Washington speaks with JAMA Associate Editor Karen Joynt Maddox, MD, MPH, about county-level variation in health care spending across the US. Related Content:

• Tracking US Health Care Spending by Health Condition and County

Two recent studies published in JAMA provide evidence about the effects of state-level abortion restrictions on birth rates and infant mortality. Author Alyssa Bilinski, PhD, MSc, of Brown University School of Public Health joins JAMA Deputy Editor Tracy Lieu, MD, to discuss her related Editorial "Abortion May Be Controversial—Supporting Children and Families Need Not Be." Related Content:

• Abortion May Be Controversial—Supporting Children and Families Need Not Be

Contemporary models of dementia care are multidisciplinary and aim to bridge medical and social services. Julie P. W. Bynum, MD, MPH, of the University of Michigan speaks with JAMA Deputy Editor Christopher C. Muth, MD, about 2 trials—the D-CARE and IN-PEACE trials—that evaluated care models to support people diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers. Related Content:

• Challenges and Innovations in Dementia Care—Evaluating Comprehensive Models
• Health System, Community-Based, or Usual Dementia Care for Persons With Dementia and Caregivers
• Palliative Care Program for Community-Dwelling Individuals With Dementia and Caregivers

Two new trials published in JAMA evaluate the efficacy of periprocedural intra-arterial thrombolytics after successful endovascular thrombectomy for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Diederik Dippel, MD, PhD, of Erasmus University Medical Center discusses this and more with JAMA Deputy Editor Christopher C. Muth, MD. Related Content:

• Intra-Arterial Thrombolytics During Thrombectomy for Ischemic Stroke—End of the Story or a New Beginning?
• Intra-Arterial Tenecteplase Following Endovascular Reperfusion for Large Vessel Occlusion Acute Ischemic Stroke
• Intra-Arterial Urokinase After Endovascular Reperfusion for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Private equity acquisitions of health care facilities have rapidly increased over the past decade. However, little is known about the effects of these acquisitions on patient experience. Author Rishi K. Wadhera, MD, MPP, MPhil, of Harvard Medical School discusses this topic with JAMA Associate Editor Karen Joynt Maddox, MD, MPH. Related Content:

• Changes in Patient Care Experience After Private Equity Acquisition of US Hospitals

Certain CD4+ T-cell subtypes play a role in asthma. Characterizing asthma endotypes in diverse groups is important to help develop effective therapies for youth with asthma. Author Juan C. Celedon, MD, DrPH, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pediatrics, discusses this and more with JAMA Deputy Editor Kristin L. Walter, MD, MS. Related Content:

• Transcriptomic Profiles in Nasal Epithelium and Asthma Endotypes in Youth