News & Updates

A key focus in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) in older patients is stroke prevention through oral anticoagulation. However, a significant proportion of older AF patients remain undercoagulated due to the perceived bleeding risk of oral anticoagulants (OACs). Dr Tan Vern Hsen, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, and Dr Barbara Helen Rosario, Senior Consultant, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, shared their respective insights into managing older AF patients for an integrated approach.

In the treatment of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy associated with tuberous sclerosis complex, the antiseizure effect of cannabidiol occurs within 6–10 days, according to the results of a phase III trial. Adverse events also emerge during the first 2 weeks of the titration period, and majority of these are resolved during the 16-week treatment period.

Dementia is an important risk factor for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes in community-dwelling older adults, with its effect becoming stronger with increasing patient age, a recent study has found.

Stroke, a common cause of donor brain death, exhibits a substantially different effect on recipient and allograft survival depending on the age of the donor, suggests a recent study. Among younger donors, stroke contributes to increased recipient mortality and allograft failure than other causes of brain death.

Treatment with intravenous brivaracetam is well tolerated in children with epilepsy, with a safety profile consistent with that known of the oral formulation, according to the results of a phase II study. There has been no pharmacokinetic difference observed when administered as bolus or a 15-minute infusion.