An educational mailing for atrial fibrillation patients and their clinicians did not increase uptake of stroke prevention drugs, according to results of the IMPACT-AFib trial presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2020. Patients with atrial fibrillation are at increased risk of stroke. Studies have shown that most of these strokes can […]
For pregnant patients, number of clinic visits not tied to risk of getting COVID-19
In the spring of 2020, as Massachusetts experienced a surge in COVID-19 cases in the Boston area, four area hospitals conducted universal testing among all pregnant patients at the time of admission for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. At the time, Massachusetts had the third highest rate of infection in the country. In an […]
Patients’ access to opioid treatment cumbersome
Women are having a difficult time getting into treatment for opioid addictions, according to a Vanderbilt University Medical Center study published today in JAMA Network Open. The “secret shopper” study used trained actors attempting to get into treatment with an addiction provider in 10 U.S. states. The results, with more than 10,000 unique patients, revealed […]
Rapid changes in end-of-life care will affect patients at home and in care homes in the UK
Family members are being trained to administer drugs to end-of-life patients at home and in care homes in the UK, in case doctors or nurses are not available to give injections when needed. And new palliative care drugs are being considered for use during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to research carried out at the height […]
UTSA software helps patients receive faster post-pandemic care
Many patients had to wait for lifesaving surgeries, such organ transplants, due to the heavy burden COVID-19 caused for hospitals. Now, UTSA computer science seniors have built a software program that assists doctors in prioritizing medical procedures and treat people more efficiently. The program, called ESCal, can organize almost three months of surgeries in a […]
New guidelines for treating the sickest COVID-19 patients
As the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise and the deaths mount, the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs (ASAIO) has drafted a set of recommendations for health care workers on the front lines, to help them make decisions on how to treat the most critical patients, those with severe lung or heart failure […]
Guidance for treating stroke patients during COVID-19 crisis developed
In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and to optimize allocation of healthcare resources, researchers are improving ways to treat patients with acute large vessel occlusion strokes in a safe manner that also better protects health care workers. Developed by a team from the Society of Vascular & Interventional Neurology (SVIN) and led […]
For ME/CFS patients, viral immunities come at a devastating, lifelong cost
Mylagic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a disabling and complex illness. Affected persons often cannot pursue ordinary activities—physical or mental—because of an incapacitating loss of energy and other symptoms, and may find themselves confined to bed or house-bound for years. Anyone can develop ME/CFS, though it most commonly afflicts people between the ages of 40 […]
Patients left in limbo by coronavirus pandemic
Cancer care halted, Donor lungs on hold and kidney dialysis cutbacks: Patients left in limbo by coronavirus pandemic Jack Fetherstonhaugh, 33, Wales, has had his kidney dialysis cut by an hour Duncan Mclean, 39, Stevenage, said bladder cancer operation was cancelled Laura Beattie, 31, Manchester, is waiting for donor lungs to treat cystic fibrosis Learn […]
Loss of smell and taste validated as COVID-19 symptoms in patients with high recovery rate
Loss of smell and taste has been anecdotally linked to COVID-19 infections. In a study published April 12, 2020 in the journal International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology, researchers at UC San Diego Health report the first empirical findings that strongly associate sensory loss with COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus. “Based […]