scholarly journals Heart Failure: Novel and Emerging Therapies

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (SP1) ◽  
pp. 22-26
Author(s):  
Shiva Nandiwada ◽  
Justin Ezekowitz ◽  
Nawaf Al-Majed
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Novel Therapies ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Emerging Therapies ◽  
Interventional Therapies ◽  
Improve Patient

Heart failure (HF) is increasing in prevalence and continues to have poor prognosis despite using up-to-date guideline-directed medical treatment and device intervention. There is a dire need for new therapies that can improve patient outcomes. New recently tested medical and interventional therapies have proven effective in reducing the morbidity, mortality and improving the quality of life for patients with HF and these therapies are discussed in details in this review. Ongoing large scale clinical trials are underway to determine the efficacy and safety of novel therapies of HF. Development of these medical and interventional therapies are improving our understanding of HF and paving the way to better clinical outcomes.

scholarly journals Recent advances and emerging therapies in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria E. Cabanillas ◽  
Mark Zafereo ◽  
Michelle D. Williams ◽  
Renata Ferrarotto ◽  
Ramona Dadu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma ◽  
Novel Therapies ◽  
Emerging Therapies ◽  
Improved Outcomes

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a rare and aggressive thyroid cancer with an overall survival measured in months. Because of this poor prognosis and often advanced age at presentation, these patients have traditionally been treated palliatively and referred for hospice. However, recent progress using novel therapies has energized the field, and several promising clinical trials are now available for these patients. This review will highlight this progress and the potential treatments that could pave the way to improved outcomes and quality of life for patients with this disease.

scholarly journals Impact of Heart Failure Focused Follow-Up Care at the “Heart Success Clinic” on 30-Day Readmission Rates in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Deepti Bhandare ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Readmission Rate ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hospital Data ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Medication Reviews ◽  
Improve Patient

Nearly 6.2 million people in the United states are affected by heart failure, it is predicted that this number will rise to 8.5 million by 2030 Significant effort has been made to prevent heart failure and its exacerbations. The Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP), a Medicaare based program, was established to link payment to quality of care. Payment is reduced to hospitals when patients are readmitted within 30 days for heart failure The “Heart Success Clinic” is an outpatient clinic started to improve patient outcomes and reduce readmission rates. Patients are provided with heart failure focused visits which includes detailed medication reviews, diet modification, weight loss, disease education, etc. During the six months prior to the opening of the clinic, the readmission rate was 15.27% at AdventHealth Sebring hospital which is a community-based hospital. Data was collected on the patients who attended the “Heart Success Clinic” for six months. Zero patients from the clinic were readmitted, bringing the readmission rate down from 15.27% to 0%. This pilot study gives promising initial results. Further studies can be conducted over a longer period time as to gather more patients. Overall, the study demonstrates that there is value in providing heart failure focused follow up visits in improving patient outcomes and readmission rates.

scholarly journals Efficacy and safety of Si-Jun-Zi-Tang-based therapies for functional (non-ulcer) dyspepsia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaping Wang ◽  
Bin Liu ◽  
Xiuqiong Fu ◽  
Tiejun Tong ◽  
Zhiling Yu
Keyword(s):  
Relapse Rate ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
History Of ◽  
Non Ulcer Dyspepsia

Abstract Background The traditional Chinese medicine formula Si-Jun-Zi-Tang (SJZT) has a long history of application in the treatment of functional dyspepsia (non-ulcer dyspepsia, FD)-like symptoms. SJZT-based therapies have been claimed to be beneficial in managing FD. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of SJZT-based therapies in treating FD by meta-analysis. Methods Systematic searches for RCTs were conducted in seven databases (up to February 2019) without language restrictions. Data were analyzed using Cochrane RevMan software version 5.3.0 and Stata software version 13.1, and reported as relative risk (RR) or odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The primary outcome was response rate and the secondary outcomes were gastric emptying, quality of life, adverse effects and relapse rate. The quality of evidence was evaluated according to criteria from the Cochrane risk of bias. Results A total of 341 potentially relevant publications were identified, and 12 RCTs were eligible for inclusion. For the response rate, there was a statically significant benefit in favor of SJZT-based therapies (RR = 1.23; 95% CI 1.17 to 1.30). However, the benefit was limited to modified SJZT (MSJZT). The relapse rate of FD patients received SJZT-based therapies was lower than that of patients who received conventional medicines (OR = 0.23; 95% CI 0.10 to 0.51). No SJZT-based therapies-related adverse effect was reported. Conclusion SJZT-based prescriptions may be effective in treating FD and no serious side-effects were identified, but the effect on response rate appeared to be limited to MSJZT. The results should be interpreted with caution as all the included studies were considered at a high risk of bias. Standardized, large-scale and strictly designed RCTs are needed to further validate the benefits of SJZT-based therapies for FD management. Trial registration Systematic review registration: [PROSPERO registration: CRD42019139136].

Efficacy and safety of beta-blockers and prolonged bronchodilators in patients with heart failure with coronary artery disease and moderate to severe COPD

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Evdokimov ◽  
E Yushchuk ◽  
A Evdokimova ◽  
S Ivanova ◽  
I Sadulaeva
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Clinical Condition ◽  
Blood Pressure Monitoring ◽  
Beta Blockers ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Severe Copd

Abstract Purpose To compare clinical efficacy and safety of various treatment regimens with the inclusion of beta-blockers, RAAS antagonists (ACE inhibitors or ARBs), prolonged bronchodilators (LABA, LAMA) in heart failure patients with CAD and COPD. Methods 385 patients (292 men and 93 women), aged 66.3±4.1 years, with CHF classes II to III (NYHA) combined with moderate to severe COPD (GOLD) and with LVEF less than 45% were randomized into nine groups: enalapril + LAMA (control group), nebivolol + enalapril + LAMA, nebivolol + losartan + LAMA, nebivolol + losartan + LABA, nebivolol + losartan + LAMA/LABA, carvedilol + enalapril + LAMA, carvedilol + losartan + LAMA, carvedilol + losartan + LABA, carvedilol + losartan + LAMA/LABA. Patients of all groups received complex CHF treatment comprising diuretics, nitrates, cardiac glycosides (if necessary). Clinical examination, TTE, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), 24-hour electrocardiogram and blood pressure monitoring, respiratory function test were assessed at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. The quality of life was evaluated by MYHFQ, SGRQ and mMRC scale. Results After 6 months of therapy the improvement of clinical condition and quality of life were marked in all groups. At the end of observation period there was a significant improvement of patients clinical condition, quality of life, reduction of mean CHF FC and dyspnea severity, increase of exercise tolerance, slowing of progression of CHF and COPD, improvement of the parameters of intracardiac hemodynamics, structural and functional parameters of the left and right heart (a decrease in the size of the atria, LV volumes and internal dimension at end-diastole and end-systole, cardiac index, LVMMI, an increase of LVEF, a significant decrease in systemic vascular resistance and the pulmonary hypertension grade, significant improvement in systolic and diastolic function of the ventricles, regression of pathological remodeling of the heart, reduction of heart rate, duration and frequency of myocardial ischemia episodes (including its “silent” form). The best results were obtained in groups using a beta-blocker (nebivolol or carvedilol), a RAAS antagonist, and a combination of long-acting bronchodilators (indacaterol and tiotropium) – group 5 and 9. It is worth noting that beta-blockers, LABA and LAMA were well tolerated in all observation groups and serious adverse events were absent. Conclusions The appointment of 3-generation beta-blockers to patients with CHF on the background of CAD and COPD can significantly increase the effectiveness of treatment and does not cause a deterioration in spirometry in patients with such cardiopulmonary pathology. In our opinion, the most important point in the appointment of beta blockers to patients with moderate to severe COPD is low start dose and slow titration of the dose at the beginning of the therapy. It is advisable to include in the complex therapy of such patients a combination of LABA and LAMA as a basic bronchodilator support. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Addressing the Scottish burden of wounds through the Lens of Profound Knowledge

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (Sup20) ◽  
pp. S34-S40
Author(s):  
Jenni MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Wound Care ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Theory Of Knowledge ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Profound Knowledge ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Improve Patient ◽  
Growing Population

The prevalence of wounds and the cost of treating them are increasing year on year. Improving the quality of wound care will improve patient outcomes and is a financial necessity. The Lens of Profound Knowledge is a tool that can be used to support quality improvement and identify where action is needed. It allows exploration of an organisation through four aspects—appreciate the system, understanding variation, psychology, and theory of knowledge—and working on all four aspects simultaneously is believed to increase the likelihood of achieving improvement. Improvements at and between all levels—microsystem (such as frontline services), mesosystem (health boards) and macrosystem (NHS Scotland)—would reduce variation in practice and prove to be both clinically and cost-effective. Given the rapidly growing population of people with unhealed wounds, wound care needs to be valued at all system levels and be adequately resourced.

scholarly journals Problems with the outcome measures in randomized controlled trials of traditional Chinese medicine in treating chronic heart failure caused by coronary heart disease: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiayuan Hu ◽  
Ruijin Qiu ◽  
Chengyu Li ◽  
Min Li ◽  
Qianqian Dai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Safety Evaluation ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
End Points ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Surrogate Outcomes

Abstract Background Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained widespread application in treating chronic heart failure (CHF) secondary to coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the sound clinical evidence is still lacking. Corresponding clinical trials vary considerably in the outcome measures assessing the efficacy of TCM, some that showed the improvement of clinical symptoms are not universally acknowledged. Rational outcome measures are the key to evaluate efficacy and safety of each treatment and significant elements of a convincing clinical trial. We aimed to summarize and analyze outcome measures in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TCM in treating CHF caused by CHD, subsequently identify the present problems and try to put forward solutions. Methods We systematically searched databases including Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang from inception to October 8, 2018, to identify eligible RCTs using TCM interventions for treating CHF patients caused by CHD. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) was searched to include Cochrane systematic reviews (CSRs) of CHF. Two authors independently assessed the risk of bias of the included RCTs according to the Cochrane Handbook. Outcome measures of each trial were extracted and analyzed those compared with the CSRs. We also evaluated the reporting quality of the outcome measures. Results A total of 31 RCTs were included and the methodology quality of the studies was generally low. Outcome measures in these RCTs were mortality, rehospitalization, efficacy of cardiac function, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), 6 min’ walk distance (6MWD) and Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), of which mortality and rehospitalization are clinical end points while the others are surrogate outcomes. The reporting rate of mortality and rehospitalization was 12.90% (4/31), the other included studies reported surrogate outcomes. As safety measure, 54.84% of the studies reported adverse drug reactions. Two trials were evaluated as high in reporting quality of outcomes and that of the other 29 studies was poor due to lack of necessary information for reporting. Conclusions The present RCTs of TCM in treating CHF secondary to CHD did not concentrate on the clinical end points of heart failure, which were generally small in size and short in duration. Moreover, these trials lacked adequate safety evaluation, had low quality in reporting outcomes and certain risk of bias in methodology. For objective assessment of the efficacy and safety of TCM in treating CHF secondary to CHD, future research should be rigorous designed, set end points as primary outcome measures and pay more attention to safety evaluation throughout the trial.

scholarly journals Iron deficiency after kidney transplantation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Sophia J Vinke ◽  
Marith I Francke ◽  
Michele F Eisenga ◽  
Dennis A Hesselink ◽  
Martin H de Borst
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Excess Mortality ◽  
Transplant Recipients ◽  
Kidney Transplant Recipients ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Iron deficiency (ID) is highly prevalent in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and has been independently associated with an excess mortality risk in this population. Several causes lead to ID in KTRs, including inflammation, medication and an increased iron need after transplantation. Although many studies in other populations indicate a pivotal role for iron as a regulator of the immune system, little is known about the impact of ID on the immune system in KTRs. Moreover, clinical trials in patients with chronic kidney disease or heart failure have shown that correction of ID, with or without anaemia, improves exercise capacity and quality of life, and may improve survival. ID could therefore be a modifiable risk factor to improve graft and patient outcomes in KTRs; prospective studies are warranted to substantiate this hypothesis.

scholarly journals Targeting Epigenetic Dependencies in Solid Tumors: Evolutionary Landscape Beyond Germ Layers Origin

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Citron ◽  
Linda Fabris
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Chromatin Remodeling ◽  
Cancer Biology ◽  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Molecular Medicine ◽  
Genomic Alteration ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Improve Patient

Extensive efforts recently witnessed the complexity of cancer biology; however, molecular medicine still lacks the ability to elucidate hidden mechanisms for the maintenance of specific subclasses of rare tumors characterized by the silent onset and a poor prognosis (e.g., ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and glioblastoma). Recent mutational fingerprints of human cancers highlighted genomic alteration occurring on epigenetic modulators. In this scenario, the epigenome dependency of cancer orchestrates a broad range of cellular processes critical for tumorigenesis and tumor progression, possibly mediating escaping mechanisms leading to drug resistance. Indeed, in this review, we discuss the pivotal role of chromatin remodeling in shaping the tumor architecture and modulating tumor fitness in a microenvironment-dependent context. We will also present recent advances in the epigenome targeting, posing a particular emphasis on how this knowledge could be translated into a feasible therapeutic approach to individualize clinical settings and improve patient outcomes.

PP186 Telemonitoring With Pacemakers For Patients With Heart Failure

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (S1) ◽  
pp. 72-72
Author(s):  
Susan Myles ◽  
Ruth Louise Poole ◽  
Karen Facey
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Core Outcome Set ◽  
Outcome Set ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
Technical Issues ◽  
Technology Lifecycle ◽  
Multi Stakeholder ◽  
Improve Patient

IntroductionEvidence supporting the use of pacemakers is well established. However, evidence about the optimal use of pacemaker telemonitoring for disease management in heart failure is not. Health Technology Wales (HTW) held a national adoption event to encourage implementation and best practice in use of pacemaker telemonitoring in the National Health Service (NHS) Wales to improve patient outcomes in heart failure.MethodsMulti-stakeholder national adoption workshop using a mixture of expert presentations, case studies and interdisciplinary group and panel discussions to agree key actions to understand the value and promote optimal use of pacemakers for remote disease monitoring in patients with heart failure in Wales.ResultsThe workshop was attended by forty-five senior professionals with an interest in improving care of patients with heart failure. Actions to progress included: providing a centralized Welsh system to support technical issues that arise with telemonitoring; considering interoperability with other NHS Wales systems; encouraging value-based procurement with collection of a core outcome set; agreeing implementation issues with both professionals and patients; audit to understand experience, resource use and outcomes; and sharing manufacturer evidence on the accuracy of telemanagement algorithms. It was suggested that these actions be progressed via an All-Wales multi-stakeholder approach, led by the Welsh Cardiac Network.ConclusionsDeveloping a more agile, lifecycle approach to technology appraisal is currently advocated; recalibrating the focus from technology assessment to technology management across the complete technology lifecycle. HTW will endeavour through regular adoption events to facilitate such a paradigm shift that aims to understand value and optimise use of evidence-based technologies.

scholarly journals Efficacy and Safety of Fuzi Formulae on the Treatment of Heart Failure as Complementary Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of High-Quality Randomized Controlled Trials

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Meng-Qi Yang ◽  
Yong-Mei Song ◽  
Huan-Yu Gao ◽  
Yi-Tao Xue
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Link Type

Objective. Heart failure is a major public health problem worldwide nowadays. However, the morbidity, mortality, and awareness of heart failure are not satisfied as well as the status of current treatments. According to the standard treatment for chronic heart failure (CHFST), Fuzi (the seminal root of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx.) formulae are widely used as a complementary treatment for heart failure in clinical practice for a long time. We are aiming to assess the efficacy and safety of Fuzi formulae (FZF) on the treatment of heart failure according to high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods. RCTs in PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), and Wanfang Database were searched from their inception until June 2019. In addition, the U.S. National Library of Medicine (clinicaltrials.gov) and the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn) were also searched. We included RCTs that test the efficacy and safety of FZF for the treatment of heart failure, compared with placebo, CHFST, or placebo plus CHFST. The methodological quality of included studies were evaluated by the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias. RCTs with Cochrane risk of bias (RoB) score ≥4 were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis was conducted through RevMan 5.2 software. The GRADE approach was used to assess the quality of the evidence. Results. Twelve RCTs with 1490 participants were identified. The studies investigated the efficacy and safety of FZF, such as FZF plus the CHFST vs placebo plus CHFST (n = 4), FZF plus CHFST vs CHFST (n = 6), FZF plus digoxin tablets (DT) plus CHFST vs placebo plus DT plus CHFST (n = 1), and FZF plus placebo plus CHFST vs placebo plus DT plus CHFST (n = 1). Meta-analysis indicated that FZF have additional benefits based on the CHFST in reducing plasma NT-proBNP level, MLHFQ scores, Lee’s heart failure scores (LHFs), and composite cardiac events (CCEs). Meanwhile, it also improved the efficacy on TCM symptoms (TCMs), NYHA functional classification (NYHAfc), 6MWD, and LVEF. Adverse events were reported in 6 out of 12 studies without significant statistical difference. However, after assessing the strength of evidence, it was found that only the quality of evidence for CCEs was high, and the others were either moderate or low or very low. So we could not draw confirmative conclusions on its additional benefits except CCEs. Further clinical trials should be well designed to avoid the issues that were identified in this study. Conclusion. The efficacy and additional benefits of FZF for CCEs were certain according to the high-quality evidence assessed through GRADE. However, the efficacy and additional benefits for the other outcomes were uncertain judging from current studies. In addition, the safety assessment has a great room for improvement. Thus, further research studies are needed to find more convincing proofs.

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