Ceruloplasmin and Coronary Heart Disease-A Systematic Review

Several studies indicate that oxidative stress might play a central role in the initiation and maintenance of cardiovascular diseases. It remains unclear whether ceruloplasmin acts as a passive marker of inflammation or as a causal mediator. To better understand the impact of ceruloplasmin blood levels on the risk of cardiovascular disease, and paying special attention to coronary heart disease, we conducted a search on the two most commonly used electronic databases (Medline via PubMed and EMBASE) to analyze current assessment using observational studies in the general adult population. Each study was quality rated using criteria developed by the US Preventive Services Task Force. Most of 18 eligible studies reviewed support a direct relationship between ceruloplasmin elevated levels and incidence of coronary heart disease. Our results highlight the importance of promoting clinical trials that determine the functions of ceruloplasmin as a mediator in the development of coronary heart disease and evaluate whether the treatment of elevated ceruloplasmin levels has a role in the prognosis or prevention of this condition

Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation for the Reduction of Oxidative Stress: Clinical Implications in the Treatment of Chronic Diseases

Apart from its main function in the mitochondria as a key element in electron transport, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has been described as having multiple functions, such as oxidant action in the generation of signals and the control of membrane structure and phospholipid and cellular redox status. Among these, the most relevant and most frequently studied function is the potent antioxidant capability of its coexistent redox forms. Different clinical trials have investigated the effect of CoQ10 supplementation and its ability to reduce oxidative stress. In this review, we focused on recent advances in CoQ10 supplementation, its role as an antioxidant, and the clinical implications that this entails in the treatment of chronic diseases, in particular cardiovascular diseases, kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. As an antioxidant, CoQ10 has proved to be of potential use as a treatment in diseases in which oxidative stress is a hallmark, and beneficial effects of CoQ10 have been reported in the treatment of chronic diseases. However, it is crucial to reach a consensus on the optimal dose and the use of different formulations, which vary from ubiquinol or ubiquinone Ubisol-Q10 or Qter®, to new analogues such as MitoQ, before we can draw a clear conclusion about its clinical use. In addition, a major effort must be made to demonstrate its beneficial effects in clinical trials, with a view to making the implementation of CoQ10 possible in clinical practice

Aneurisma de aorta abdominal, una etiología infrecuente de trombosis venosa profunda

The most frequent causes of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) are cancer, surgical interventions and immobilization. In addition, there are more infrequent causes of VTE, such as anatomical malformations or extrinsic com- pressions of the venous system. Despite the low frequency of the latter, we need to take them into account when diagnosing. We present a clinical case of extensive proximal deep vein thrombosis in a resting setting of course of nephritic colic. The final diagnosis was vein cava compression by complicated abdominal aortic aneurysm which required surgical intervention by endovascular repair. The indication of antiaggregant treatment and anticoagulation is discussed in this scenario of complex management, as well.Las causas más frecuentes de la enfermedad tromboembólica venosa son el cáncer, las intervenciones quirúrgicas y la inmovilización. Junto con éstas, existen otras cuya frecuencia es menor, pero que debemos tener en cuenta para poder diagnosticarlas, como las malformaciones anatómicas o las compresiones extrínsecas del sistema venoso. Se presenta un caso clínico de un aneurisma de aorta abdominal complicado que debutó como una trombosis venosa profunda secundaria a la compresión de la vena cava inferior. Además, se discute la indicación de antiagregación y anticoagulación en este escenario de manejo complejo

Manejo de la tromboflebitis superficial en la mujer embarazada

Superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) has traditionally been considered a benign condition. However, current evidence suggests that thrombosis will spread into the deep vein system in a significant proportion of cases, particularly when the thrombus occupies the proximal long saphenous vein. Its presentation in pregnancy is an added difficulty. This case represents the complex management of a condition for which diagnostic prediction tools are lacking. Ultrasound examination plays a key role, especially in pregnant patients, for whom evidence supporting the diagnosis and treatment of venous thromboembolic disease is weaker than for the rest of patients. We present the case of a pregnant woman of 9 weeks with SVT and we discussed her management.La trombosis venosa superficial se ha considerado tradicionalmente como una afección benigna. Sin embargo, la evidencia actual sugiere que una proporción significativa de casos se propagará al sistema venoso profundo, particularmente cuando el trombo ocupa la vena safena larga proximal. Su presentación en el embarazo supone una dificultad añadida. Este caso representa la complejidad en el manejo de una patología sobre la que no hay herramientas de predicción diagnóstica, y donde la ecografía juega un papel clave, en especial en pacientes embarazadas, en quienes las evidencias que soportan el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la enfermedad tromboembólica venosa son más débiles que en el resto de los pacientes. Presentamos el caso de una gestante de 9 semanas con trombosis venosa superficial y discutimos su manejo

Trombosis venosa profunda y embolia de pulmón en paciente con hemoperitoneo

The mainstay of the treatment of venous thromboembolism is anticoagulation. Vena cava filters should be considered when there is a contraindication for anticoagulant treatment, a complication of anticoagulation resulting in cessation of therapy or pulmonary embolism recurrence during therapeutic anticoagulation. We present the management of a case of thromboembolic disease in a cancer patient who developed a hemoperitoneum.La anticoagulación es el pilar fundamental del tratamiento de la enfermedad tromboembólica venosa. En las situaciones en las que el tratamiento anticoagulante está contraindicado, como ocurre en una hemorragia activa, o cuando fracasa dicha terapia con recurrencias de la embolia de pulmón, se debe plantear la colocación de un filtro de vena cava inferior. Presentamos el manejo de un caso de enfermedad tromboembólica en un paciente oncológico que desarrolló un hemoperitoneo

Epidemiologic Features and Control Measures during Monkeypox Outbreak, Spain, June 2022

During June 2022, Spain was one of the countries most affected worldwide by a multicountry monkeypox outbreak with chains of transmission without identified links to disease-endemic countries. We provide epidemiologic features of cases reported in Spain and the coordinated measures taken to respond to this outbreak.S

Efficacy and safety of early treatment with sarilumab in hospitalised adults with COVID-19 presenting cytokine release syndrome (SARICOR STUDY): protocol of a phase II, open-label, randomised, multicentre, controlled clinical trial

[Introduction] About 25% of patients with COVID-19 develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with a high release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6). The aim of the SARICOR study is to demonstrate that early administration of sarilumab (an IL-6 receptor inhibitor) in hospitalised patients with COVID-19, pulmonary infiltrates and a high IL-6 or D-dimer serum level could reduce the progression of ARDS requiring high-flow nasal oxygen or mechanical ventilation (non-invasive or invasive).[Methods and analysis] Phase II, open-label, randomised, multicentre, controlled clinical trial to study the efficacy and safety of the administration of two doses of sarilumab (200 and 400 mg) plus best available therapy (BAT) in hospitalised adults with COVID-19 presenting cytokine release syndrome. This strategy will be compared with a BAT control group. The efficacy and safety will be monitored up to 28 days postadministration. A total of 120 patients will be recruited (40 patients in each arm).[Ethics and dissemination] The clinical trial has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the coordinating centre and authorised by the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Products. If the hypothesis is verified, the dissemination of the results could change clinical practice by increasing early administration of sarilumab in adult patients with COVID-19 presenting cytokine release syndrome, thus reducing intensive care unit admissions.[Trial registration number] NCT04357860.COVID-19 Research Programme. Ministry of Health and Families, Regional Government of Andalusia. Project code COVID-0013-2020

Efficacy and safety of early treatment with sarilumab in hospitalised adults with COVID-19 presenting cytokine release syndrome (SARICOR STUDY): protocol of a phase II, open-label, randomised, multicentre, controlled clinical trial.

About 25% of patients with COVID-19 develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with a high release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6). The aim of the SARICOR study is to demonstrate that early administration of sarilumab (an IL-6 receptor inhibitor) in hospitalised patients with COVID-19, pulmonary infiltrates and a high IL-6 or D-dimer serum level could reduce the progression of ARDS requiring high-flow nasal oxygen or mechanical ventilation (non-invasive or invasive). Phase II, open-label, randomised, multicentre, controlled clinical trial to study the efficacy and safety of the administration of two doses of sarilumab (200 and 400 mg) plus best available therapy (BAT) in hospitalised adults with COVID-19 presenting cytokine release syndrome. This strategy will be compared with a BAT control group. The efficacy and safety will be monitored up to 28 days postadministration. A total of 120 patients will be recruited (40 patients in each arm). The clinical trial has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the coordinating centre and authorised by the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Products. If the hypothesis is verified, the dissemination of the results could change clinical practice by increasing early administration of sarilumab in adult patients with COVID-19 presenting cytokine release syndrome, thus reducing intensive care unit admissions. NCT04357860

Calcifediol Treatment and Hospital Mortality Due to COVID-19: A Cohort Study

Context. Calcifediol has been proposed as a potential treatment for COVID-19 patients. Objective: To compare the administration or not of oral calcifediol on mortality risk of patients hospitalized because of COVID-19. Design: Retrospective, multicenter, open, non-randomized cohort study. Settings: Hospitalized care. Patients: Patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 between 5 February and 5 May 2020 in five hospitals in the South of Spain. Intervention: Patients received calcifediol (25-hydroxyvitamin D3) treatment (0.266 mg/capsule, 2 capsules on entry and then one capsule on day 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28) or not. Main Outcome Measure: In-hospital mortality during the first 30 days after admission. Results: A total of 537 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19 (317 males (59%), median age, 70 years), and 79 (14.7%) received calcifediol treatment. Overall, in-hospital mortality during the first 30 days was 17.5%. The OR of death for patients receiving calcifediol (mortality rate of 5%) was 0.22 (95% CI, 0.08 to 0.61) compared to patients not receiving such treatment (mortality rate of 20%; p < 0.01). Patients who received calcifediol after admission were more likely than those not receiving treatment to have comorbidity and a lower rate of CURB-65 score for pneumonia severity ≥ 3 (one point for each of confusion, urea > 7 mmol/L, respiratory rate ≥ 30/min, systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≤ 60 mm Hg, and age ≥ 65 years), acute respiratory distress syndrome (moderate or severe), c-reactive protein, chronic kidney disease, and blood urea nitrogen. In a multivariable logistic regression model, adjusting for confounders, there were significant differences in mortality for patients receiving calcifediol compared with patients not receiving it (OR = 0.16 (95% CI 0.03 to 0.80). Conclusion: Among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, treatment with calcifediol, compared with those not receiving calcifediol, was significantly associated with lower in-hospital mortality during the first 30 days. The observational design and sample size may limit the interpretation of these findings