News &amp; Updates

Use of 2.5-mg tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and 5-mg deoxyribonuclease (DNase) therapy as a starting intrapleural dose, with up-titration if needed, appears effective in patients with pleural infection, suggests a study, noting that this treatment warrants further research.

Starting 2.5-mg tPA/5-mg DNase dose effective in patients with pleural infection

Tenofovir alafenamide easy on CHB patients with renal, bone mineral density problems

In chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with renal and/or bone mineral density disorders or risks, treatment with tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) leads to improvements in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after 12–24 months, especially for patients with low eGFR levels at baseline, while maintaining virological suppression, according to data from HERACLIS-TAF.

Tenofovir alafenamide easy on CHB patients with renal, bone mineral density problems

Second-line antiseizure drug helps with toxin-related seizure in status epilepticus patients

Some patients with benzodiazepine-refractory status epilepticus experience a toxin-related seizure, which can be successfully treated with a single dose of second-line antiseizure medication, according to a post hoc analysis of the Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial (ESETT).

Second-line antiseizure drug helps with toxin-related seizure in status epilepticus patients

Immediate-release rifaximin may prevent complications, boost recovery in cirrhotic patients with OHE

Rifaximin soluble solid dispersion immediate-release tablet has the potential to reduce hospitalization in patients with cirrhosis and promote the resolution of overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) during hospitalization, according to analyses of two phase II trials.

Immediate-release rifaximin may prevent complications, boost recovery in cirrhotic patients with OHE

Gout patients endorse reasons for not taking allopurinol

Patients with gout who refuse to take allopurinol for their condition do so because of their desire to lead a normal life and to test whether they could reduce the dose without experiencing any symptoms, a recent study has found.

Gout patients endorse reasons for not taking allopurinol

02 Jul 2022

Thromboxane generation tied to mortality regardless of aspirin use

Systemic thromboxane generation appears to increase the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality regardless of aspirin use, reveals a study. Hence, its measurement may help inform therapy modification, especially in individuals without cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Thromboxane generation tied to mortality regardless of aspirin use

02 Jul 2022

Optimal omega-3 dose for lowering BP? Meta-analysis says 2–3 grams daily will suffice

01 Jul 2022 by

Taking omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid at 2–3 grams daily is enough to yield a blood pressure (BP)-lowering effect, while higher doses may provide additional benefit to individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a meta-analysis.

Optimal omega-3 dose for lowering BP? Meta-analysis says 2–3 grams daily will suffice

COVID-19 shots for tots OK’d

01 Jul 2022 by

The 2-year wait is over.

COVID-19 shots for tots OK’d

How safe for the heart is hydroxychloroquine use in RA patients?

The risks of sudden cardiac arrest or ventricular arrythmia (SCA/VA) and major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) are comparable between methotrexate (MTX) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in older patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), reports a study.

How safe for the heart is hydroxychloroquine use in RA patients?

01 Jul 2022

High-dose antidepressants up risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

01 Jul 2022 by

Patients on high-dose citalopram (>20 mg) and high-dose escitalopram (>10 mg) are more likely to experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) than those on sertraline, while users of high-dose mirtazapine (>30 mg) have a higher OHCA rate than those on duloxetine, a study has shown.

High-dose antidepressants up risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest