scholarly journals The Efficacy of Convalescent Plasma Use in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 257
Author(s):  
Livius Tirnea ◽  
Felix Bratosin ◽  
Iulia Vidican ◽  
Bianca Cerbu ◽  
Mirela Turaiche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
The United States ◽  
Plasma Therapy ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
United States Food ◽  
States Food

Background and Objectives: On 24 March 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of convalescent plasma therapy for critically ill patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as an emergency investigational new drug. This pilot study from Romania aimed to determine if convalescent plasma transfusion can be beneficial in the treatment of selected critically ill patients diagnosed with a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Materials and Methods: Donor and receiver eligibility for critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients was based on Romanian guidelines issued at the time of the study. Here, we describe the evolution of a total of five eligible patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who received convalescent plasma (CP) in Romania. Results: In spite of our efforts and convalescent plasma administration, three of the five patients did not survive, while the other two recovered completely. Over the course of our five-day laboratory record, the surviving patients had significantly lower values for C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and white blood cells. Conclusions: This pilot study provides insufficient evidence to determine the efficacy of convalescent plasma use as a therapeutic option for critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Delirium Secondary to Lamotrigine Toxicity

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah L. Sanchez ◽  
Adam J. Fusick ◽  
Steven R. Gunther ◽  
Michael J. Hernandez ◽  
Gregory A. Sullivan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Valproic Acid ◽  
Mental Status ◽  
The United States ◽  
Clinical Correlation ◽  
Medication Regimen ◽  
Medication Effects ◽  
United States Food ◽  
States Food ◽  
Rule Out

Background: Lamotrigine is a phenyltriazine medication that has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as monotherapy and as an adjunctive agent for the treatment of seizure disorder. It was later approved by the FDA for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Lamotrigine is generally well tolerated by patients, but some serious symptoms can occur during treatment. These severe side effects include rashes and multi-organ failure. Lamotrigine has also been associated with the development of mental status changes, frequently when used concurrently with other medications that may impact the metabolism of lamotrigine. Objective: To present the case of a 65-year-old man being treated with lamotrigine and valproic acid who developed mental status changes after the addition of sertraline to his medication regimen, and to compare this case to existing cases reported in the literature. Discussion: Our case adds to the existing literature by demonstrating that patients may experience adverse medication effects despite lamotrigine levels that are normally considered to be in the therapeutic range, highlighting the importance of clinical correlation when obtaining medication levels. Conclusion: Clinicians should use caution interpreting lamotrigine levels when working up delirium, as normal levels may not rule out the development of lamotrigine toxicity.

Operation of a hyperbaric oxygen therapy center in Korea: Report of our experience from a setting in its nascent stages

2019 ◽  
pp. 135-143
Author(s):  
Yoon Seop Kim ◽  
Yoonsuk Lee ◽  
Sun Ju Kim ◽  
Sung Oh Hwang ◽  
Yong Sung Cha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critically Ill ◽  
Hyperbaric Oxygen ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
Medical Society ◽  
Hyperbaric Medicine ◽  
Therapy Center ◽  
Hbo2 Therapy

Purpose: Hyperbaric medicine is nascent in Korea when compared to other developed countries, such as the United States and Japan. Our facility has been managed by physicians with certifications from the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in diving and clinical diseases since October 2016. This study was conducted to share similar issues that are encountered during the establishment of a program in a new area through our experiences in the operation of a hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy center. Methods: In this retrospective observational study we collected data on HBO2 patients treated at our center between October 2016 and June 2018 after HBO2 was conducted by HBO2-certified physicians. We then compared demographic data of patients with data from January 2011 to September 2015 – before HBO2 operations were conducted by HBO2-certified physicians. Result: A total of 692 patients received 5,130 treatments. Twelve indicated diseases were treated using HBO2 therapy. Fifty-six critically ill patients with intubation received HBO2. Although two patients experienced seizure due to oxygen toxicity during the study period, certified physicians and inside attendant took immediate corrective action. Conclusion: After the establishment of the HBO2 center operated by physicians with certification, more patients, including critically ill patients, received HBO2 safely for various diseases. In order to improve the practice of hyperbaric medicine in Korea, the Korean Academy of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine (KAUHM), an advanced and well-organized academic society, should communicate often with HBO2 centers, with the aim to set Korean education programs at UHMS course levels and increase reimbursement for HBO2 therapy.

Measurement of serial serum total and acylated ghrelin levels in critically ill patients: A prospective and observational pilot study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahide Karaca ◽  
Recep C. Yuksel ◽  
Gulsah Gunes Sahin ◽  
Neslihan Sungur ◽  
Sahin Temel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Acylated Ghrelin ◽  
Serial Serum

scholarly journals ABO blood types and sepsis mortality

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Theis S. Itenov ◽  
Daniel I. Sessler ◽  
Ashish K. Khanna ◽  
Sisse R. Ostrowski ◽  
Pär I. Johansson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Endothelial Damage ◽  
Blood Type ◽  
Type B ◽  
Blood Concentrations ◽  
Soluble Thrombomodulin ◽  
Blood Types

Abstract Background We aimed to determine if the ABO blood types carry different risks of 30-day mortality, acute kidney injury (AKI), and endothelial damage in critically ill patients with sepsis. This was a retrospective cohort study of three independent cohorts of critically ill patients from the United States and Scandinavia consisting of adults with septic shock. We compared the 30-day mortality across the blood types within each cohort and pooled the results in a meta-analysis. We also estimated the incidence of AKI and degree of endothelial damage, as measured by blood concentrations of soluble thrombomodulin and syndecan-1. Results We included 12,342 patients with severe sepsis. In a pooled analysis blood type B carried a slightly lower risk of 30-day all-cause mortality compared to non-blood type B (adjusted HR 0.88; 95%-CI 0.79–0.98; p = 0.02). There was no difference in the risk of AKI. Soluble thrombomodulin and syndecan-1 concentrations were lower in patients with blood type B and O compared to blood type A, suggesting less endothelial damage. Conclusion Septic patients with blood type B had less endothelial damage, and a small reduction in mortality. The exposure is, however, unmodifiable.

scholarly journals Review of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines: BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273

2021 ◽  
pp. 089719002110096
Author(s):  
Shyh Poh Teo
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Safety Data ◽  
The United States ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Phase 3 ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Safety Surveillance ◽  
Mass Immunization ◽  
United States Food ◽  
States Food

The United States Food and Drug Administration recently issued emergency use authorization for 2 mRNA vaccines for preventing COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus infections. BNT162b2 from Pfizer-BioNTech and mRNA-1273 by Moderna are planned for use in mass-immunization programs to curb the pandemic. A brief overview of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines is provided, describing the SARS-CoV-2 RNA, how mRNA vaccines work and the advantages of mRNA over other vaccine platforms. The Pfizer-BioNTech collaboration journey to short-list mRNA vaccine candidates and finally selecting BNT162b2 based on safety data is outlined, followed by the Phase 3 study of BNT162b2 demonstrating 95% efficacy in preventing COVID-19 infections. Studies regarding mRNA-1273 (Moderna) are described, including extended immunogenicity data up to 119 days. The Phase 3 COVE study of mRNA-1273 eventually showed vaccine efficacy of 94.5%. Recommendations for future mRNA vaccine development are provided, including ongoing safety surveillance, evaluation in under-represented groups in previous studies and improving mRNA vaccine thermostability. Finally, further logistical considerations are required for manufacturing, storing, distribution and implementing mass vaccination programs to curb the pandemic.

scholarly journals Botulinum toxin in the management of chronic migraine: clinical evidence and experience

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claus M Escher ◽  
Lejla Paracka ◽  
Dirk Dressler ◽  
Katja Kollewe
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Migraine ◽  
Botulinum Neurotoxin ◽  
Prophylactic Treatment ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
The United States ◽  
Headache Frequency ◽  
United States Food ◽  
History Of ◽  
States Food ◽  
Review Reports

Chronic migraine (CM) is a severely disabling neurological condition characterized by episodes of pulsating unilateral or bilateral headache. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox®) for the prophylactic treatment of CM in 2010. It has been shown that onabotulinumtoxinA is effective in the reduction of headache frequency and severity in patients with CM. Treatment is well tolerated by the patients. This review reports on the history of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) in CM and presents the current clinical evidence for the use of onabotulinumtoxinA in the treatment of CM.

scholarly journals Clinical Development of Biological Response Modifiers

1994 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl a) ◽  
pp. 5A-8A
Author(s):  
Jay P Siegel
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Biological Response ◽  
Clinical Trial Design ◽  
The United States ◽  
Biological Response Modifier ◽  
Clinical Development ◽  
Response Modifier ◽  
United States Food ◽  
Study Population ◽  
States Food

OBJECTIVE: To present perspectives on selected issues that frequently arise during the clinical development of biological response modifier (BRM) therapies.DATA SOURCES: The perspectives and opinions presented herein were developed over several years of reviewing and consulting on the clinical development of BRM therapies at the United States Food and Drug Administration.CONCLUSIONS: BRM therapies encompass a broad spectrum of products used to treat a wide variety of diseases. Due to this diversity. most principles of clinical trial design and conduct applicable to the majority of BRMS are those that are applicable to all therapies. Nevertheless, the clinical development of BRM therapies often raises specific issues and problems in the areas of selecting animal models, defining the study population, adverse reactions, dosing and defining end-points. Over 10 years’ experience in testing biotechnology derived BRMS in clinical trials has created a database from which we can draw valuable generalizations for guidance in future studies.

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