News &amp; Updates

Children with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) who receive antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy fare better than their counterparts who undergo primary laser treatment, a study has found.

Retinopathy of prematurity outcomes better with anti-VEGF than primary laser treatment

Tobacco control main contributor to Hong Kong’s world-leading longevity

17 Nov 2021 by

A study led by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has identified stringent tobacco control and resulting low smoking rates as the key reasons behind Hong Kong’s world-leading longevity.

Tobacco control main contributor to Hong Kong’s world-leading longevity

Pacemaker-based cardiac neuromodulation therapy lowers SBP, pulse pressure in patients with ISH

17 Nov 2021 by

Adding BackBeat cardiac neuromodulation therapy™ (Backbeat CNT), a pacemaker-based treatment for hypertension, on top of medical therapy significantly reduces systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure, without reducing diastolic blood pressure (DBP), compared with medical therapy alone in patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), according to a study presented at TCT 2021.

Pacemaker-based cardiac neuromodulation therapy lowers SBP, pulse pressure in patients with ISH

Allergy testing during pregnancy could prevent unnecessary antibiotic exposure

Women who have a documented history of penicillin allergy should undergo allergy tests during pregnancy to avoid exposure to potentially less effective broad-spectrum antibiotics, according to a small study presented at ACAAI 2021.

Allergy testing during pregnancy could prevent unnecessary antibiotic exposure

High baseline leptin linked to arterial stiffening in men

High levels of circulating leptin may be a risk factor for arterial stiffening and elevated pulse pressure in men, regardless of body weight, a recent study has found.

High baseline leptin linked to arterial stiffening in men

SURTAVI: TAVR matches SAVR through 5 years in intermediate-risk AS patients

The noninferiority finding between transcatheter vs surgical aortic valve replacement (TAVR vs SAVR) in intermediate-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) holds up through 5 years, according to long-term data of the SURTAVI trial presented at TCT 2021, providing reassurance that the less invasive procedure performs just as good in the elderly population.

SURTAVI: TAVR matches SAVR through 5 years in intermediate-risk AS patients

Mindfulness, art-based therapy a promising way to avoid burnout among healthcare workers

For many healthcare workers involved in palliative care, the intense emotions associated with end-of-life caregiving make them susceptible to a mental and physical fallout—a condition defined as burnout.

Mindfulness, art-based therapy a promising way to avoid burnout among healthcare workers

Can stereotactic radiosurgery improve life quality in patients with large brain metastasis?

Eight out of nine quality of life (QOL) metrics have improved or remained unchanged following initial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in patients treated with 3-fraction SRS for large brain metastasis cavities, a phase I/II study has shown. Intracranial tumour progression and salvage SRS show no impact on QOL.

Can stereotactic radiosurgery improve life quality in patients with large brain metastasis?

Tenofovir alafenamide safe to use in breastfeeding mothers with CHB

The first human pharmacokinetic study of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF; commercially sold as Vemlidy) monotherapy in breastfeeding women with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) has found low concentrations of TAF and tenofovir in the breastmilk, with negligible exposure to infants.

Tenofovir alafenamide safe to use in breastfeeding mothers with CHB

16 Nov 2021

Low carbohydrate diet lowers risk of MetS, remnant cholesterol in prostate cancer