Managing Covid-19 in patients with heart failure: current status and future prospects.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 may contribute to decompensation of previously stable chronic HF or cause a de-novo heart failure, which may come from the hyperinflammatory response and subsequent increase in metabolic demand. AREAS COVERED: Two independent investigators searched MEDLINE (via PubMed), Europe PMC, and ScienceDirect databases with the following search terms: COVID-19, heart failure, COVID-19 drugs, heart failure drugs, and device therapy. All of the included full-text articles were rigorously evaluated by both authors in case there was disagreement about whether research should be included or not. In total, 157 studies were included and underwent extensive reading by the authors. EXPERT OPINION: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) have published COVID-19 drug recommendations, although recommendations for HF-specific drug choices in COVID-19 are still lacking. We hope that this review can answer the void of comprehensive research data regarding the management options of HF in the COVID-19 condition so that clinicians can at least choose a more beneficial therapy or avoid combination therapies that have a high burden of side effects on HF; thus, morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients with HF may be reduced.

Effect of colchicine on mortality in patients with COVID-19 - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the latest evidence on the association between colchicine and mortality in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive literature search from the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, EuropePMC, and Clinicaltrials.gov up until 02 January 2022. We include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies reporting colchicine use in patients with COVID-19 and mortality within 30 days. The intervention group was patients given colchicine during the course of treatment. The control group was patients given placebo or standard of care at the respective institutions. The outcome was mortality. The effect estimate was reported as risk ratio (RR). RESULTS: There were 12 studies comprising of 6953 patients included in this meta-analysis. Mortality rate was 0.18 [95%CI 0.10, 0.26] in the colchicine group and 0.26 [95%CI 0.15, 0.38] in the control group. Colchicine was associated with reduction in mortality (RR 0.66 [95%CI 0.53, 0.83], p < 0.001; I2: 42%). Sensitivity analysis using fixed-effect model (RR 0.73 [95%CI 0.63, 0.83], p < 0.001; I2: 42%. Subgroup analysis on the four RCTs showed non-significant result (RR 0.81 [95%CI 0.54, 1.20], p = 0.29; I2: 10%). Meta-regression showed that the association between colchicine and reduced mortality was not affected by age (p = 0.613) [Fig. 3], sex (p = 0.915), diabetes (p = 0.795), and hypertension (p = 0.403). CONCLUSION: Though the meta-analysis showed decreased mortality with colchicine in patients with COVID-19, the meta-analysis of randomized trials did not show any significant effect of colchicine on mortality.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-IV) inhibitor was associated with mortality reduction in COVID-19 - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the latest evidence on the effect of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-IV) inhibitor in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search from the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Clinicaltrials.gov up until 15 July 2021. Studies that met the following criteria were included: prospective or retrospective observational studies or case series or randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting DPP-IV inhibitor use in patients with COVID-19 and mortality. The intervention group was patients receiving DPP-IV inhibitor. The control group was patients that did not receive DPP-IV inhibitor. The outcome was mortality reported as odds ratio (OR). RESULTS: There were 11 studies consisting of 5950 patients in this meta-analysis. DPP-IV inhibitor use was associated with reduced mortality (OR 0.75 [0.56, 0.99], p = 0.043, I2: 42.9, p = 0.064) compared to those that did not receive DPP-IV inhibitor. Sensitivity analysis using the fixed-effect model (OR 0.75 [0.63, 0.88], p < 0.001, I2: 42.9, p = 0.064) also showed mortality benefit. The association between DPP-IV inhibitor and mortality was not significantly affected by age (p = 0.540), sex (p = 0.054), hypertension (p = 0.320), location (continent; p = 0.532), and retrospective/prospective nature of the study (p = 0.840). However, the association was affected by metformin (OR 1.03 [95% CI 1.01, 1.06], p = 0.010) and ACEI/ARB use (OR 1.06 [95% CI 1.02, 1.10], p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis showed that DPP-IV inhibitor was associated with reduced mortality in patients with COVID-19.

In-depth review of cardiopulmonary support in COVID-19 patients with heart failure.

Coronavirus disease 2019 infection has spread worldwide and causing massive burden to our healthcare system. Recent studies show multiorgan involvement during infection, with direct insult to the heart. Worsening of the heart function serves as a predictor of an adverse outcome. This finding raises a particular concern in high risk population, such as those with history of preexisting heart failure with or without implantable device. Lower baseline and different clinical characteristic might raise some challenge in managing either exacerbation or new onset heart failure that might occur as a consequence of the infection. A close look of the inflammatory markers gives an invaluable clue in managing this condition. Rapid deterioration might occur anytime in this setting and the need of cardiopulmonary support seems inevitable. However, the use of cardiopulmonary support in this patient is not without risk. Severe inflammatory response triggered by the infection in combination with the preexisting condition of the worsening heart and implantable device might cause a hypercoagulability state that should not be overlooked. Moreover, careful selection and consideration have to be met before selecting cardiopulmonary support as a last resort due to limited resource and personnel. By knowing the nature of the disease, the interaction between the inflammatory response and different baseline profile in heart failure patient might help clinician to salvage and preserve the remaining function of the heart.

Diabetes and COVID-19: The past, the present, and the future.

Diabetes, one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the world, is strongly associated with a poor prognosis in COVID-19. Scrupulous blood sugar management is crucial, since the worse outcomes are closely associated with higher blood sugar levels in COVID-19 infection. Although recent observational studies showed that insulin was associated with mortality, it should not deter insulin use in hospitalized patients requiring tight glucose control. Back and forth dilemma in the past with regards to continue/discontinue certain medications used in diabetes have been mostly resolved. The initial fears of consequences related to continuing certain medications have been largely dispelled. COVID-19 also necessitates the transformation in diabetes care through the integration of technologies. Recent advances in health-related technologies, notably telemedicine and remote continuous glucose monitoring, have become essential in the management of diabetes during the pandemic. Today, these technologies have changed the landscape of medicine and become more important than ever. Being a high-risk population, patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, should be prioritized for vaccination. In the future, as the pandemic fades, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases is expected to rise due to lifestyle changes and medical issues/dilemma encountered during the pandemic.

Sofosbuvir with daclatasvir and the outcomes of patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis with GRADE assessment.

PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of sofosbuvir/daclatasvir (SOF/DCV) on mortality, the need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and clinical recovery in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search through the PubMed, Scopus and Embase from the inception of databases until 6 April 2021. The intervention group was SOF/DCV, and the control group was standard of care. The primary outcome was mortality, defined as clinically validated death. The secondary outcomes were (1) the need for ICU admission or IMV and (2) clinical recovery. The pooled effect estimates were reported as risk ratios (RRs). RESULTS: There were four studies with a total of 231 patients in this meta-analysis. Three studies were randomised controlled trial, and one study was non-randomised. SOF/DCV was associated with lower mortality (RR: 0.31 (0.12, 0.78); p=0.013; I2: 0%) and reduced need for ICU admission or IMV (RR: 0.35 (0.18, 0.69); p=0.002; I2: 0%). Clinical recovery was achieved more frequently in the SOF/DCV (RR: 1.20 (1.04, 1.37); p=0.011; I2: 21.1%). There was a moderate certainty of evidence for mortality and need for ICU/IMV outcome, and a low certainty of evidence for clinical recovery. The absolute risk reductions were 140 fewer per 1000 for mortality and 186 fewer per 1000 for the need for ICU/IMV. The increase in clinical recovery was 146 more per 1000. CONCLUSION: SOF/DCV may reduce mortality rate and need for ICU/IMV in patients with COVID-19 while increasing the chance for clinical recovery. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO: CRD42021247510.