The number of people with post-COVID-19 syndrome seems to be growing exponentially, so we need long-term data to help physicians advise patients correctly. Among the many persistent symptoms, post-COVID-19 anosmia has good prognosis and almost full recovery at 1 year. In April, 2020, these same authors published a cohort of almost 100 COVID-19 positive patients (positive…
Could Statins Do More than Lower Cholesterol in COVID-19 Patients?
A history of acute myocardial Infarction, cardiac failure or hyperlipidemia has been associated with increased mortality of COVID-19. Observational studies have suggested statins might reduce death risk from COVID-19, in addition to lowering cholesterol. Statins have anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic effects that could play a role in the course of the infection. Other studies have arrived…
Efficacy of the Novavax Vaccine Against COVID-19: Nanoparticle Technology to the Test
In healthy adults, two doses of the NVX-CoV2373 (Novavax) vaccine has an efficacy of almost 90% against SARS-CoV-2 infection in all severity types. Furthermore, it has proven to be effective against the alpha variant (B.1.1.7). The Novavax vaccine is a recombinant nanoparticle containing full-length spike glycoprotein. It had already been shown to be safe and…
Ticagrelor or Prasugrel for Acute Patients Who Undergo Angioplasty
We are still asking the same question: ticagrelor or prasugrel? With narrow margins between these drugs in terms of efficacy and bleeding, it is difficult to decide which to prescribe. While it has certain methodological limitations, this research published in JAMA seems to clarify the picture at least for patients with acute coronary syndromes who…
Discrepancy between Angina and Ischemia Repeats in Peripheral Artery Disease
Three randomized studies showed exercising significantly improves 6-minute walk outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, many participants randomized to exercise did not perceive changes, and sometimes even got worse. These findings suggest a significant discrepancy between objective and perceived change in walking ability among PAD patients. 400 patients with peripheral artery disease…
Novel DES Technology Promises to Become the Next DES Generation
The novel technology of drug-eluting stent Supreme was designed to synchronize antiproliferative drug release and leave a base behind to promote healing. Accelerated endothelial healing after antiproliferative drug release may limit the long-term inflammatory response. This multicenter, single-blind study included 1600 patients who were randomized 2:1 to receive drug-eluting stent Supreme vs. a classic permanent-polymer everolimus-eluting…
Janssen: Efficacy of the Only Single Dose Vaccine against COVID-19
One single dose of the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine (Janssen) will protect you against symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. It also resulted effective to prevent severe or critical COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. Safety outcomes resulted similar to other COVID-19 vaccine phase 3 outcomes. Janssen vaccine outcomes were published in NEJM 6 months after the first vaccines…
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm during the Pandemic: Should They Be Operated or Deferred?
Some European societies have recommended deferring the treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) ≥5.5 cm during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these documents have also suggested optimal deferral times, and everything must be adjusted according to the transmission risk/risk of rupture balance. Annual risk of rupture can be estimated based on a prospective cohort published by…
Polypharmacy in Older Adults Elderly: What Medication to Discontinue
Polypharmacy is certainly a problem in the elderly population. Forgetfulness, and drug and dose confusion can lead to multiple problems; in addition, over time, cognitive deterioration will make complicated drug management schemes even more difficult for patients to handle. Aware of this problem, physicians often try to simplify schemes by discontinuing drugs, but what should…