News & Updates

Dexmedetomidine protects against new-onset AF in critically ill patients

The use of dexmedetomidine in the intensive care unit (ICU) appears to lower the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients, according to a study.

Managing MDR gram-negative bacterial infections: Key lessons from 5 years of using ceftazidime-avibactam

The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens is a major and persistent global healthcare problem. In a Pfizer-sponsored symposium held during the 33rd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID), experts shared lessons drawn from over half a decade of using ceftazidime-avibactam in the management of MDR gram-negative bacterial infections. Prof David Paterson from the National University of Singapore and Dr Maddalena Giannella from Bologna University, Italy chaired the session. 

Among the highlights were real-world evidence (RWE) with ceftazidime-avibactam and how it has shaped the anti-infective therapeutic landscape, the importance of early, appropriate treatment and its place in antimicrobial stewardship strategies, and the roles of microbiology and diagnostics in optimizing treatment strategies.

Dapagliflozin beneficial in heart failure

Treatment with dapagliflozin leads to lower incidence of total heart failure (HF) events and cardiovascular death, regardless of patient characteristics such as ejection fraction, according to a study.

Does dextromethorphan premedication relieve cough during flexible bronchoscopy?

Premedication with dextromethorphan 1 hour prior to flexible bronchoscopy appears to alleviate cough slightly in patients under conscious sedation and on topical lignocaine, reports a recent study.

Antiarrhythmic drugs cut atrial high-rates episode burden, AF risk

Individuals with atrial high-rates episodes (AHREs) are at greater risk of progression to atrial fibrillation (AF). But the good news is that treatment with antiarrhythmic medication appears to have a protective effect both on AHRE burden and AF risk.

Adavosertib promise in uterine serous carcinoma dimmed by side effects

The oral, small molecule Wee1 kinase inhibitor adavosertib exerts antitumour effects in patients with advanced recurrent or persistent uterine serous carcinoma, but this benefit appears to be limited by the drug’s tolerability, as shown in the single-arm, phase IIb ADAGIO study.