The American journal of the medical sciences
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Cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of death globally. Patients with cardiovascular disease are at risk of poor outcomes from deferral of healthcare during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Little is known about recovery of cardiovascular hospitalizations or procedural volume following the COVID-19 surges. We sought to examine the cardiovascular diagnoses requiring healthcare utilization surrounding the first and second COVID-19 waves and characterize trends in return to pre-pandemic levels at a tertiary care center in Massachusetts. ⋯ There was a gradual but initially incomplete recovery to pre-surge levels of hospitalizations and procedures during the reopening phase, which eventually rebounded to meet or exceed pre-COVID-19 levels. To the extent that this reflects deferred or foregone essential care, it may adversely affect long-term cardiovascular outcomes. These results should inform planning for cardiovascular care delivery during future pandemic surges.
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Editorial Review
An Historical Perspective of Healthcare Disparity and Infectious Disease in the Native American Population.
The incidence and severity of COVID-19 infections have been disproportionately high in Native American populations. Native Americans are a high-risk group for COVID-19 because of a variety of healthcare disparities. Historically, these populations suffered excessively during previous epidemics in the United States (US). ⋯ Other infectious diseases, including HIV, hepatitis A and hepatitis C are more also common. Diabetes, alcoholism and cardiovascular diseases, all risk factors for severity and mortality in COVID-19 infection, are also more common in this group. Addressing the root causes of enhanced risk in Native American populations will improve outcomes from COVID-19 and future pandemics.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human endostatin (rh-ES) combined with chemotherapy in advanced gastrointestinal tumors in China. ⋯ The short-term efficacy of rh-ES combined with chemotherapy for advanced gastrointestinal tumors was better, with fewer adverse reactions.
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The most recently approved fluoroquinolone for use in the US and Europe, delafloxacin (DLX) provides broad-spectrum coverage, improved side effect profile, and excellent potency. Currently approved for the treatment of acute bacterial skin infections and community-acquired pneumonia, DLX may be useful in the treatment of other infections given the longstanding versatility of other fluoroquinolones. ⋯ A new antibiotic with valuable characteristics, DLX treatment was highly successful in this case series, including with multiple off-label indications. Real-world clinical data with delafloxacin are currently scant. Prospective data would be useful for identifying future clinical niches for this new fluoroquinolone.