Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine in Treatment of Coronavirus Disease-19

At present, we are facing coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 with several treatment choices and reports of different treatment outcomes. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine use for the management of severely ill patients started as a quite enthusiastic treatment option, following several small clinical trials, case series reports, public authorities, and media affirmation. However, the evidence we have so far is conflicting and some national societies and professional institutions implicate that we should wait for definite treatment recommendations until there are solid data for or against the use of these drugs. Until we have more powerful evidence in our hands, we should be aware of safety issues of the old drugs for the new application in the emergency state we are facing today with the COVID-19 pandemic. We performed a concise review of strengths, limitations, and awareness for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine use for COVID-19 infection treatment based on the evidence the science has today

Coronavirus Disease-19 and Cardiovascular Disease

 We are facing serious coronavirus disease-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. Among infected individuals, there is a higher prevalence of the cardiovascular disease, which leads to their poor prognosis. Myocardial injury is present in more than 15% of critical ill patients in the form of acute myocardial dysfunction or subsequent myocardial injury that develops as disease severity. This new virus pandemic is a global challenge for health-care system which was we still have much to learn

Comparison of 24 h ECG Holter Monitoring with Real-time Long-term ECG Monitoring System using ECGalert Software and Savvy Single-Lead Patch

AIM: The aim of the study was to show non-inferiority of the single-channel ECGalert system to the gold standard (ECG Holter) in the detection of arrhythmias over the total wear time of both devices. METHODS: A prospective study enrolled a total of 165 patients hospitalized at the University Clinic of Cardiology, who underwent simultaneous single-channel ECG recording with ECGAlert system and a conventional 24 h Holter monitor on the 1st day and continued ECGAlert monitoring for few more days, under assignment of the doctor or at the wish of the patient. RESULTS: A total of 165 patients were included in the study, 61.2% male, mean age of 58.4 ± 12.7 years. Mean duration of ECG Holter monitoring was 23.2 ± 0.5 h and mean duration of ECGalert/Savvy monitoring was 64.6 ± 31.2. During the first 24 h of simultaneous ECG monitoring with both methods, no statistically significant difference was found in arrhythmia detection. Over the total wear time of both devices, the ECGalert system detected significantly more AF episodes as compared to Holter (p < 0.000). ECGalert demonstrated significantly lower detection rate of false pauses (0.001). However, false detection of episodes of VT or AF was significantly higher in ECGalert system versus Holter (p < 0.000 and p < 0.000 respectively). Patients were more satisfied with ECGalert system, due to lesser interference in daily activities. CONCLUSION: The ECGalert system demonstrated superiority over traditional Holter monitoring in arrhythmia detection in the total monitoring period, but not in the first 24 h

Anticoagulation Management in Patients with Pacemaker-Detected Atrial Fibrillation

INTRODUCTION: In patients with an implanted pacemaker, asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of thrombo-embolic complications. There is still no consensus which duration of episodes of atrial fibrillation should be taken as an indicator for inclusion of oral anticoagulation therapy (OAC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 104 patients who had no AF episodes in the past and have an indication for permanent pacing were included in the study.RESULTS: During an average follow-up of 18 months, 33 of the patients developed episodes of AF. Inclusion of OAC was performed in 17 patients, in whom AF was recorded, although in all patients CHA2DS2-VASc score was ≥ 1. The inclusion of OAC showed a statistically significant correlation with increasing duration of episodes of AF (r = 0.502, p = 0.003). During the follow-up period none of the patients developed thrombo-embolic complication. CONCLUSION: Considering that our group of patients had no thrombo-embolic events, we could conclude that dividing the AF episodes in less than 1% in 24 hours and longer than 1% within 24 hours could be an indicator for decision-making to include OAK if the CHA2DS2-VASc score is ≥ 1

Практикум на Законот за спречување и заштита од дискриминација

Целта на овој Практикум е да даде основни насоки за подготвување на иницијални акти во случаи на дискриминација, притоа не навлегувајќи во поединостите на секој индивидуален случај, или, пак, во креативноста на адвокатите, судиите или други подносители на тужби до надлежните судови. Покрај веќе изработените: Прирачник за обука на судии за антидискриминациското законодавство, Збирка на пресуди поврзани со дискриминацијата на Европскиот суд за човекови права и Судот на правдата на Европската унија, Водичот за улогата на Комисијата за заштита од дискриминација во судските постапки и преминување на товарот на докажување, со овој Практикум се заокружува збирката на публикации во делот на анти-дискриминацијата притоа задоволувајќи ги интересите на стручната јавност и придонесувајќи кон јакнење на заштитата на правата поврзани со концептот на еднаквост и правната сигурност како највисоки цели на секое демократско општество

Falls in people with dementia

Falls and concomitant injuries are common problems among large groups of the elderly population, leading to immobility and mortality. These problems are even more pronounced among people suffering from dementia. This thesis targets fall risk factors for people with dementia in institutions. The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate risk factors for falls, predisposing as well as related to circumstances surrounding falls, and to do this as efficiently as possible. In a prospective cohort study including residents of residential care facilities with and without dementia, the fall rate was higher for those with dementia, the crude incidence rate ratio (IRR) was 2.55 (95% CI 1.60–4.08) and the adjusted IRR was 3.79 (95% CI 1.95–7.36). In the group of people suffering from dementia, including 103 residents, a total of 197 falls resulted in 11 fractures during the 6-months follow-up period. From the same baseline measurements 26% and 55%, respectively, of the variation in falls could be explained in the group of residents with and without dementia. Fall predictors significantly and independently associated with an increased risk of falls in the group of people suffering from dementia were the category “man walking with an aid” and the use of more than four drugs. In a prospective cohort study, including 204 patients in a psychogeriatric ward, a total of 244 falls resulted in 14 fractures. Fall predictors significantly and independently associated with an increased risk of falls were male sex, failure to copy a design, use of clomethiazole, and walking difficulties. Treatment with statins was associated with a reduced risk of falls. With these fall predictors in the negative binomial regression (Nbreg) model, 48% of the variation in falls was explained. The data from the psychogeriatric ward were also analysed with the use of partial least squares regression (PLS) and regression tree to be compared with the results of the Nbreg analysis. PLS and regression tree are techniques based on combinations of variables. They both showed similar patterns, that a combination of a more severe level of dementia, behavioral complications and medication related to these complications is associated with an increased fall rate. Thirty-two percent and 38%, respectively, of the variation in fall rate were explained in the PLS and regression tree analysis. The circumstances surrounding the falls in the psychogeriatric ward were analysed. It was found that the fall rate was equally high during the night and the day. A large proportion of the falls was sustained in the patients’ own room and a small proportion of the falls was witnessed by the staff. This pattern was even more pronounced during the night. The proportion of diurnal rhythm disturbances and activity disturbances was higher for falls at night than for falls during the day. Circumstances associated with an increased risk of falls, as shown by a short time to first fall, were anxiety, darkness, not wearing any shoes and, for women, urinary tract infection. The proportion of urinary tract infection was also higher in connection to falls sustained by women than to falls sustained by men. This thesis confirms that people suffering from dementia are prone to fall. Walking difficulties, male sex and impaired visual perception are factors that should be considered in the work of reducing falls among people suffering from dementia. Furthermore, falls at night, behavioral complications and medication related to these complications should also be considered in this work, especially as the dementia disease progresses. A larger portion of the variation of the outcome variable was explained by the Nbreg model than the regression tree and PLS. However, these statistical methods, based on combinations of variables, gave a complementary perspective on how the fall predictors were related to falls

Noninvasive Glucose Measurement Using Machine Learning and Neural Network Methods and Correlation with Heart Rate Variability

Diabetes is one of today’s greatest global problems, and it is only becoming bigger. Constant measuring of blood glucose level is a prerequisite for monitoring glucose blood level and establishing diabetes treatment procedures. The usual way of glucose level measuring is by an invasive procedure that requires finger pricking with the lancet and might become painful and obeying, especially if this becomes a daily routine. In this study, we analyze noninvasive glucose measurement approaches and present several classification dimensions according to different criteria: size, invasiveness, analyzed media, sensing properties, applied method, activation type, response delay, measurement duration, and access to results. We set the focus on using machine learning and neural network methods and correlation with heart rate variability and electrocardiogram, as a new research and development trend

Sex Differences and Disparities in Cardiovascular Outcomes of Covid-19

Introduction: Previous analyses on sex differences in case-fatality rates at population-level data had limited adjustment for key patient clinical characteristics thought to be associated with COVID-19 outcomes. Hypothesis: We aimed to estimate the risk of specific organ dysfunctions and mortality in women and men. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 17 hospitals within 5 European countries participating in the International Survey of Acute Coronavirus Syndromes (ISACS) COVID-19 (NCT05188612). Participants were individuals hospitalized with positive SARS-CoV-2 from March 2020 to February 2022. Risk-adjusted ratios (RR) of in-hospital mortality, acute respiratory failure (ARF), acute heart failure (AHF), and acute kidney injury (AKI) were calculated for women versus men. Estimates were evaluated by inverse probability of weighting and logistic regression models Results: The overall care cohort included 4,499 patients with COVID-19 associated hospitalizations. Of these, 1,524 (33.9%) were admitted to ICU, and 1,117 (24.8%) died during hospitalization. Compared with men, women were less likely to be admitted to ICU (RR: 0.80; 95%CI: 0.71-0.91). In general wards and ICU cohorts, the adjusted women-to-men RRs for in-hospital mortality were of 1.13 (95%CI: 0.90-1.42) and 0.86 (95%CI: 0.70-1.05; pinteraction=0.04). Development of AHF, AKI, and ARF was associated with increased mortality risk (OR: 2.27; 95%CI; 1.73-2.98, OR: 3.85; 95%CI: 3.21-4.63 and OR: 3.95; 95%CI: 3.04-5.14, respectively). The adjusted RRs for AKI and ARF were comparable among women and men regardless of intensity of care. By contrast, female sex was associated with higher odds for AHF in general wards, but not in ICU (RRs: 1.25;9 5%CI: 0.94-1.67 versus 0.83; 95%CI: 0.59-1.16, pinteraction=0.04). Conclusions: Women in general wards were at increased risk of AHF and in-hospital mortality for COVID-19 compared with men. For patients receiving ICU care, fatal complications including AHF and mortality appeared to be independent of sex. Equitable access to COVID-19 ICU care is needed to minimize the unfavourable outcome of women presenting with COVID-19 related complications

Relationship Between Azithromycin and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Unvaccinated Patients With COVID‐19 and Preexisting Cardiovascular Disease

Background Empiric antimicrobial therapy with azithromycin is highly used in patients admitted to the hospital with COVID‐19, despite prior research suggesting that azithromycin may be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. Methods and Results This study was conducted using data from the ISACS‐COVID‐19 (International Survey of Acute Coronavirus Syndromes‐COVID‐19) registry. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were eligible for inclusion. The study included 793 patients exposed to azithromycin within 24 hours from hospital admission and 2141 patients who received only standard care. The primary exposure was cardiovascular disease (CVD). Main outcome measures were 30‐day mortality and acute heart failure (AHF). Among 2934 patients, 1066 (36.4%) had preexisting CVD. A total of 617 (21.0%) died, and 253 (8.6%) had AHF. Azithromycin therapy was consistently associated with an increased risk of AHF in patients with preexisting CVD (risk ratio [RR], 1.48 [95% CI, 1.06–2.06]). Receiving azithromycin versus standard care was not significantly associated with death (RR, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.69–1.28]). By contrast, we found significantly reduced odds of death (RR, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.42–0.79]) and no significant increase in AHF (RR, 1.23 [95% CI, 0.75–2.04]) in patients without prior CVD. The relative risks of death from the 2 subgroups were significantly different from each other (Pinteraction=0.01). Statistically significant association was observed between AHF and death (odds ratio, 2.28 [95% CI, 1.34–3.90]). Conclusions These findings suggest that azithromycin use in patients with COVID‐19 and prior history of CVD is significantly associated with an increased risk of AHF and all‐cause 30‐day mortality. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT05188612