News &amp; Updates

IL-6 receptor antagonists benefit COVID-19 patients with high baseline death risk

Interleukin (IL-6) receptor antagonists provide significant clinical benefit in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with high baseline mortality risk, a recent study has found. In contrast, such agents pose considerable threat when baseline mortality risk is low.

IL-6 receptor antagonists benefit COVID-19 patients with high baseline death risk

11 Nov 2021

Quitting cigarette smoking best bet for cardiovascular health

Among cigarette smokers, switching to noncombustible nicotine or tobacco product (NNTP) lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) but quitting altogether confers the greatest risk reduction, a study reports.

Quitting cigarette smoking best bet for cardiovascular health

Aortic atheroma volume tied to post-TAVR mortality risk

Higher aortic atheroma volume (AAV) seems to aggravate the risk of mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a recent study has found. Preoperative AAV measurement with computed tomography (CT) may be valuable in evaluating postprocedural prognosis.

Aortic atheroma volume tied to post-TAVR mortality risk

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines effective in real-world study of HCPs

A test-negative, case-control study demonstrated the real-world effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine (Pfizer–BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 vaccine (Moderna) among healthcare personnel in the US.

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines effective in real-world study of HCPs

Implant breast augmentation shows good short-, long-term safety in transgender individuals

Implant-based breast augmentation procedures are safe in transgender individuals, yielding low rates of long-term reoperations and complications, a recent study has found.

Implant breast augmentation shows good short-, long-term safety in transgender individuals

Possible allergic reaction should not delay COVID-19 vaccination

People who had an allergic response to the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination or who believe they will have an allergy to vaccination should not let their worries delay getting vaccinated — as most of them can still be fully vaccinated safely, suggest studies presented at ACAAI 2021.

Possible allergic reaction should not delay COVID-19 vaccination

Concurrent painkiller use dims outcomes in aspirin-treated patients

Comedication with the analgesic dipyrone appears to contribute to excess mortality among patients receiving aspirin for secondary cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, partly driven by an increase in ischaemic events, a study from Germany has found.

Concurrent painkiller use dims outcomes in aspirin-treated patients

Belimumab after rituximab reduces risk for severe flare in SLE

Treatment with belimumab following rituximab significantly lowers serum IgG anti-dsDNA antibody levels and the risk for severe flare in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that is refractory to conventional therapy, reveals a study.

Belimumab after rituximab reduces risk for severe flare in SLE

10 Nov 2021

Mobile health apps help reduce BP, improve patient-provider coordination

Use of a mobile health application (mHealth app) in clinical practice results in better patient-provider coordination, enables customized care, and is associated with a substantial decrease in blood pressure (BP) for average and high-severity patients, a study has shown.

Mobile health apps help reduce BP, improve patient-provider coordination