Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion in Patients With Anticoagulation Failure vs Anticoagulation Contraindication.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) provides mechanical cardioembolic protection for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who cannot use oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT). Patients with a thrombotic event despite OAT are at high risk for recurrence and may also benefit from LAAO. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate the efficacy of LAAO in AF patients with a thrombotic event on OAT compared to: 1) LAAO in AF patients with a contraindication for OAT; and 2) historical data. METHODS: The international LAAO after stroke despite oral anticoagulation (STR-OAC LAAO) collaboration included patients who underwent LAAO because of thrombotic events on OAT. This cohort underwent propensity score matching and was compared to the EWOLUTION (Evaluating Real-Life Clinical Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Receiving the WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Technology) registry, which represents patients who underwent LAAO because of OAT contraindications. The primary outcome was ischemic stroke. Event rates were compared between cohorts and with historical data without OAT, yielding relative risk reductions based on risk scores. RESULTS: Analysis of 438 matched pairs revealed no significant difference in the ischemic stroke rate between the STR-OAC LAAO and EWOLUTION cohorts (2.5% vs 1.9%; HR: 1.37; 95% CI: 0.72-2.61). STR-OAC LAAO patients exhibited a higher thromboembolic risk (HR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.04-2.83) but lower bleeding risk (HR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.18-0.88) compared to EWOLUTION patients. The mortality rate was slightly higher in EWOLUTION (4.3% vs 6.9%; log-rank P = 0.028). Relative risk reductions for ischemic stroke were 70% and 78% in STR-OAC LAAO and EWOLUTION, respectively, compared to historical data without OAT. CONCLUSIONS: LAAO in patients with a thrombotic event on OAT demonstrated comparable stroke rates to the OAT contraindicated population in EWOLUTION. The thromboembolic event rate was higher and the bleeding rate lower, reflecting the intrinsically different risk profile of both populations. Until randomized trials are available, LAAO may be considered in patients with an ischemic event on OAT.

Inconsistencies of absolute drug-drug contraindication reports: Analysis of Summaries of Product Characteristics of commonly prescribed drugs.

AIMS: Prescribing information should follow a defined structure to help prescribers easily find required information. Often information appears in different sections of Summaries of Product Characteristics (SmPCs) in an inconsistent way. Still unknown is how this inconsistency affects absolute contraindications and how it can be improved. Thisstudy aimed to evaluate the structure of absolute contraindications in SmPCs based on absolute drug-drug contraindications (DDCI) in the section 'contraindications' and references to sections 'special warnings and precautions for use' (here as 'warnings') and 'interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction' (here as 'interactions'). METHODS: SmPCs of 693 commonly prescribed drugs were analysed regarding absolute DDCI in 'contraindications' sections. References to sections on 'warnings' and 'interactions' were evaluated to characterize information provided about DDCI. RESULTS: Of 693 analysed SmPCs, 138 (19.9%) contained ≥1 absolute DDCI. Of 178 SmPCs that referred to sections on 'warnings' or 'interactions', 131 (73.6%) did not contain further information on absolute DDCI, whereas 47 (26.4%) did. Such additional information was found in sections on 'interactions' and 'warnings' in 41 (87.2%) and 9 (19.1%) SmPCs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Information regarding absolute DDCI was found not only in sections on 'contraindications' but also in sections on 'warnings' and 'interactions'. Information was not given with consistently straightforward phrasing and structure and so can leave uncertainty for prescribers. To improve drug safety, clear definitions and wording for absolute and relative contraindications should be provided, ideally in tables.

The antiinflammatory and electrophysiological effects of fingolimod on penicillin-induced rats.

BACKGROUND: The fact that inflammation triggers epileptic seizures brings to mind the antiepileptic properties of anti-inflammatory drugs. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the electrophysiological and anti-inflammatory effects of fingolimod on an experimental penicillin-induced acute epileptic seizure model in rats. METHODS: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (penicillin), positive control (penicillin + diazepam [5 mg/kg]), drug (penicillin + fingolimod [0.3 mg/kg]) and synergy group (penicillin + diazepam + fingolimod). The animals were anesthetized with urethane, and epileptiform activity was induced by intracortical injection of penicillin (500,000 IU). After electrophysiological recording for 125 minutes, IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6 were evaluated by ELISA in the serum of sacrificed animals. RESULTS: During the experiment, animal deaths occurred in the synergy group due to the synergistic negative chronotropic effect of diazepam and fingolimod. Although not statistically significant, fingolimod caused a slight decrease in spike-wave activity and spike amplitudes in the acute seizure model induced by penicillin (p > 0.05). Fingolimod decreased serum IL-1ß (p < 0.05); fingolimod and diazepam together reduced IL-6 (p < 0.05), but no change was observed in serum TNF-α values. CONCLUSION: Even in acute use, the spike-wave and amplitude values of fingolimod decrease with diazepam, anticonvulsant and anti-inflammatory effects of fingolimod will be more prominent in chronic applications and central tissue evaluations. In addition, concomitant use of fingolimod and diazepam is considered to be contraindicated due to the synergistic negative inotropic effect.

ANTECEDENTES: O fato de a inflamação desencadear crises epilépticas traz à mente as propriedades antiepilépticas dos anti-inflamatórios. OBJETIVO: Investigar os efeitos eletrofisiológicos e anti-inflamatórios do fingolimode em um modelo experimental de crise epiléptica aguda induzida por penicilina em ratos. MéTODOS: Trinta e dois ratos Wistar machos foram divididos em quatro grupos: controle (penicilina), controle positivo (penicilina + diazepam [5 mg/kg]), droga (penicilina + fingolimode [0,3 mg/kg]) e grupo sinergia (penicilina + diazepam + fingolimode). Os animais foram anestesiados com uretano, e a atividade epileptiforme foi induzida por injeção intracortical de penicilina (500.000 UI). Após registro eletrofisiológico por 125 minutos, IL-1ß, TNF-α e IL-6 foram avaliados por ELISA no soro dos animais sacrificados. RESULTADOS: Durante o experimento, ocorreram mortes de animais no grupo sinérgico devido ao efeito cronotrópico negativo sinérgico do diazepam e do fingolimode. Embora não seja estatisticamente significativo, o fingolimode causou uma ligeira diminuição na atividade pico-onda e nas amplitudes pico no modelo de convulsão aguda induzida pela penicilina (p > 0,05). O fingolimode diminuiu a IL-1ß sérica (p < 0,05); fingolimode e diazepam juntos reduziram a IL-6 (p < 0,05), mas não foi observada alteração nos valores séricos de TNF-α. CONCLUSãO: Pensa-se que o efeito anticonvulsivante leve de uma dose única de fingolimode será mais proeminente em aplicações crônicas e em avaliações de tecidos centrais. Além disso, o uso concomitante de fingolimode e diazepam é considerado contraindicado devido ao efeito inotrópico negativo sinérgico.

Contemporary choice of glucose lowering agents in heart failure patients with type 2 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: There is a bi-directional link between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and heart failure (HF) and their co-existence markedly increases an individual's morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is of major importance to diagnose early (and, even better, prevent) HF in T2DM patients, as well as adequately treat T2DM patients with HF. AREAS COVERED: The present narrative review discusses the effects of different antidiabetic drugs [metformin, pioglitazone, sulphonylureas (SUs), dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4i), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and insulin] on HF incidence, hospitalization and outcomes. Current guidelines of diabetes and cardiology societies on this issue are also commented on. EXPERT OPINION: Metformin (+lifestyle interventions) is the first-line treatment for all T2DM patients and SGLT2i are the preferred drugs (class I, level of evidence A) in patients with T2DM and HF. Pioglitazone is contraindicated in HF, whereas SUs, DPP4i, GLP-1 RAs and insulin are considered as neutral. However, SUs may cause hypoglycemia and weight gain, saxagliptin (a DPP4i) must be avoided in this setting and GLP-1 RAs seem not to affect HF risk. There is an urgent need of increasing guidelines implementation regarding SGLT2i use in clinical practice, to sufficiently tackle the HF burden in T2DM.

A real-world study of immune thrombocytopenia management during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges in the management of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The recommendation for avoidance of steroids by WHO led to the off-licence use, supported by NHS England, of thrombopoietin mimetics (TPO-RA) for newly diagnosed or relapsed ITP. This is a real-world prospective study which investigated the treatment patterns and outcomes in this setting. Twenty-four hospitals across the UK submitted 343 cases. Corticosteroids remain the mainstay of ITP treatment, but TPO-RAs were more effective. Incidental COVID-19 infection was identified in a significant number of patients (9·5%), while 14 cases were thought to be secondary to COVID-19 vaccination.

Toward personalized management of chronic hypertension in pregnancy.

Chronic hypertension complicates 1% to 2% of pregnancies, and it is increasingly common. Women with chronic hypertension are an easily recognized group who are in touch with a wide variety of healthcare providers before, during, and after pregnancy, mandating that chronic hypertension in pregnancy be within the scope of many practitioners. We reviewed recent data on management to inform current care and future research. This study is a narrative review of published literature. Compared with normotensive women, women with chronic hypertension are at an increased risk of maternal and perinatal complications. Women with chronic hypertension who wish to be involved in their care can do by measuring blood pressure at home. Accurate devices for home blood pressure monitoring are now readily available. The diagnostic criteria for superimposed preeclampsia remain problematic because most guidelines continue to include deteriorating blood pressure control in the definition. It has not been established how angiogenic markers may aid in confirmation of the diagnosis of superimposed preeclampsia when suspected, over and above information provided by routinely available clinical data and laboratory results. Although chronic hypertension is a strong risk factor for preeclampsia, and aspirin decreases preeclampsia risk, the effectiveness specifically among women with chronic hypertension has been questioned. It is unclear whether calcium has an independent effect in preeclampsia prevention in such women. Treating hypertension with antihypertensive therapy halves the risk of progression to severe hypertension, thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes, but a reduction in preeclampsia or serious maternal complications has not been observed; however, the lack of evidence for the latter is possibly owing to few events. In addition, treating chronic hypertension neither reduces nor increases fetal or newborn death or morbidity, regardless of the gestational age at which the antihypertensive treatment is started. Antihypertensive agents are not teratogenic, but there may be an increase in malformations associated with chronic hypertension itself. At present, blood pressure treatment targets used in clinics are the same as those used at home, although blood pressure values tend to be inconsistently lower at home among women with hypertension. Although starting all women on the same antihypertensive medication is usually effective in reducing blood pressure, it remains unclear whether there is an optimal agent for such an approach or how best to use combinations of antihypertensive medications. An alternative approach is to individualize care, using maternal characteristics and blood pressure features beyond blood pressure level (eg, variability) that are of prognostic value. Outcomes may be improved by timed birth between 38 0/7 and 39 6/7 weeks' gestation based on observational literature; of note, confirmatory trial evidence is pending. Postnatal care is facilitated by the acceptability of most antihypertensives (including angiotensin-converting enzymes inhibitors) for use in breastfeeding. The evidence base to guide the care of pregnant women with chronic hypertension is growing and aligning with international guidelines. Addressing outstanding research questions would inform personalized care of chronic hypertension in pregnancy.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Elderly Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Who Are Not Candidates for Warfarin in Real-World Setting.

ABSTRACT: Limited literature has established the role of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) for elderly patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who are unsuited for warfarin. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to assess the effectiveness and safety of DOAC use in this vulnerable patient population. This was a retrospective propensity score matching cohort study. Among all patients aged 75+ years who were not candidates for warfarin, we matched those who initiated DOAC between September 2017 and September 2018 with those who did not receive DOAC or warfarin in a 1:1 ratio. Effectiveness outcome was a composite measure of stroke, transient ischemic attack, and pulmonary embolism. Safety outcome was a composite measure of non-trauma-related intracranial hemorrhage and gastrointestinal bleed. Unless patients died or lost membership, follow-up period for the effectiveness outcome was until the end of 2019, whereas the safety outcome was for a period up to 1 year. Conditional logistic regression was used to analyze both outcomes. We identified 7818 patients who met the inclusion criteria and started DOAC, which matched to 7818 patients who did not receive anticoagulants. The mean age was 82.3 ± 5.1 years, and 51.5% male. The DOAC group had a lower hazard ratio of 0.37 (confidence interval, 0.24-0.57; P < 0.01) for composite effectiveness outcomes, whereas no difference in the composite safety outcome (hazard ratio, 0.91; confidence interval, 0.65-1.25; P = 0.55) when compared with matched control. In conclusion, DOAC was found to be effective in preventing thromboembolic events in patients aged 75+ years with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who were not eligible for warfarin.

Aconselhamento contraceptivo para o paciente transgênero designado mulher ao nascimento / Contraceptive counseling for the transgender patient designated female at birth

Apesar de 0,7% da popul ação brasileira se identificar como transgênero, não existe treinamento para que o profissional de saúde realize um acolhimento de maneira integral a esse paciente, incluindo a discussão do planejamento reprodutivo. O uso de testosterona promove amenorreia nos primeiros meses de uso, entretanto esse efeito não garante eficácia contraceptiva e, consequentemente, aumenta os riscos de uma gravidez não planejada. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa com o objetivo de avaliar e organizar uma abordagem do aconselhamento contraceptivo na população transgênero que foi designada mulher ao nascimento. Realizou-se busca estratégica em PubMed e Embase, bem como em guidelines internacionais, sobre cuidados à população transgênera. De 88 artigos, 11 foram utilizados para desenvolver o modelo de aconselhamento contraceptivo. O modelo segue as seguintes etapas: (1) Abordagem das informações relacionadas à necessidade de contracepção; (2) Avaliação das contraindicações ao uso dos métodos contraceptivos (hormonais e não hormonais); (3) Efeitos colaterais e possíveis desconfortos associados ao uso do contraceptivo. O modelo de aconselhamento contraceptivo é composto de 20 questões que abordam as indicações e contraindicações ao uso desses métodos e um fluxograma que auxilia na escolha entre os métodos permitidos ao paciente de acordo com a sua necessidade.(AU)

[Cognition of traditional Chinese medicine properties and thinking of clinical rational use of drug].

This paper discusses the rational use of traditional Chinese medicine based on chemical composition, body state and biological effect. The essence and connotations of traditional Chinese medicine are explained by modern scientific theory and technical means, and the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of diseases is defined in modern medicine language, which is conducive to promoting rational and safe clinical use of drugs. Based on the chemical composition of traditional Chinese medicine,the selected genuine medicinal materials were collected and processed in a standardized way, and then used in the combination with other traditional Chinese medicines, with the aim to improve the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in clinical indications, increase the advantages, eliminate the disadvantages, and adapt to flexible and safe clinical drug demands. Based on the body state elements, clinical diagnosis and treatment shall be patient-centered, and doctors shall distinguish the differences of pathogenesis, symptoms and diseases, and consider the drug contraindications of special groups. According to the " dose-effect-toxicity" relationship, doctors shall select the appropriate dosage form, control the drug dosage, balance the benefits and risks of drugs, and carry out appropriate medical treatment. Based on the biological effect elements and the regulatory mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine on the target and pathway of disease, traditional Chinese medicine shall strengthen the precise positioning, provide accurate treatment; evaluate the safety of traditional Chinese medicine combination, explore the adverse reaction mechanism, strengthen the clinical safety monitoring of traditional Chinese medicine, and guide the clinical rational use of drugs, in the expectation of ensuring the safe use of traditional Chinese medicine and maximize the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine.

Migration of liquid silicone, an emerging contraindication of neuraxial anesthesia / Migración de silicona líquida, una contraindicación emergente de la anestesia neuroaxial

Abstract The illegal use of liquid silicone products or biopolymers in gluteal augmentation procedures is giving rise to multiple complications, with a significant negative health impact, both in the short and long-term. The migration of polymers to the sacral and lumbar region represents a major limitation to conducting neuraxial anesthesia procedures. This silicon migration is unpredictable through the superficial tissue as is widely described in the literature. Caudal, spinal and epidural anesthesia may cross the silicone in the fascia and contaminate the neural axis with substances that are highly capable of causing inflammation, edema and tissue necrosis. In order to improve the safety of neuraxial anesthetic procedures and avoid the potential risk of dissemination and contamination of the neural axis, this complication must be ruled out, or be considered an emerging contraindication for these anesthetic procedures.

Resumen La aplicación ilegal de productos como silicona líquida o biopolímeros en procedimientos de aumento de glúteos está generando múltiples complicaciones con gran impacto negativo para la salud tanto a corto como a largo plazo. La migración de polímeros a la región sacra y lumbar representa una importante limitación para la realización de procedimientos de anestesia neuroaxial. Esta migración de silicona es impredecible a través del tejido superficial, la cual está ampliamente descrita en la literatura. Los procedimientos anestésicos caudal, espinal y epidural podrían atravesar los silicomas en la fascia del tejido y contaminar el neuroeje con sustancias con alta capacidad de generar inflamación, edema y necrosis de tejidos. Con el fin de aumentar la seguridad de los procedimientos anestésicos neuroaxiales y evitar el riesgo potencial de dispersión y contaminación del neuroeje, es necesario descartar esta complicación o considerar una contraindicación emergente en estos procedimientos anestésicos.

A Comparative Study Between Different Surgical Techniques For Left Atrial Exclusion in Patients Undergoing Concomitant Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To find out the most successful surgical technique to obliterate left atrial appendage (LAA) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who had undergone concomitant cardiac surgery. BACKGROUND: About 10%-65% of patients develop AF following cardiac surgery [Rho 2009; Mathew 2004; Maesen 2012]. Cerebral cardio-embolic stroke remains the most serious complication in AF patients. LAA is the main anatomical source for thromboembolic events. The use of oral anticoagulants (OAG) is considered to be an effective method for reduction of thromboembolic complications [Johnson 2000]. The use of oral anticoagulants is faced by two important facts which are the therapy duration is still unknown [Kirchhof 2017] and importantly that between 30-50% of patients are not candidates for oral anticoagulants due to the high bleeding risk or other contraindications [Johnson 2000; Kirchhof 2017; Kirchhof 2014]. In such patients, LAA obliteration would be an optimal alternative technique as it will reduce the stroke risk by 50% [Go 2014]. Several surgical techniques with variable degrees of success rates have been used.  It still is unclear which surgical technique is optimum to achieve a successful obliteration of the LAA and a considerable reduction of the postoperative stroke events in AF patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients have been subjected to surgical LAA exclusion from April 2017 to April 2019 in two different centers. All patients had postoperative transesophageal echo (TEE) examination to confirm the success of LAA occlusion. All patients included in our study suffered from AF at the time of surgery or in past history, which was confirmed by ECG examination in their previous medical files. A variety of surgical techniques to close the LAA have been utilized, including surgical excision by means of scissors, patch exclusion by means of an endocardial patch, suture exclusion and finally stapler exclusion. TEE examination 16 months postoperatively divided our patients into four groups as follows: successful LAA occlusion, Patent LAA, excluded LAA with persistent flow into LAA, and remnant LAA with a stump connection with LAA more than 1 cm. RESULTS: Out of 100 patients, 30 patients (30%) underwent surgical LAA excision, 24 patients (24%) underwent surgical epicardial suture ligation, eight patients (8%) underwent patch exclusion using autologous pericardial patch, 33 patients (33%) underwent LAA internal orifice purse string suture obliteration, and five patients (5%) underwent stapler exclusion. Forty-two patients out of 100 (42%) showed successful LAA closure. The successful LAA occlusion occurred mostly in LAA excision patients 87%, 24% in LAA internal orifice purse string suture obliteration patients, 21% in epicardial suture ligation patients, and 37.5% in patch exclusion patients. The stapler exclusion was very disappointing as we did not record a single case out of the five patients who showed a successful LAA occlusion. Stroke events were recorded in all surgical techniques except the LAA excision technique. The stroke rate after two years follow up was zero in the surgical excision group, 49% in the suture exclusion group, 20% in the patch exclusion group, and 40% in stapler exclusion group. CONCLUSION: Surgical LAA excision is the most successful technique for LAA occlusion and represents a promising technique for the reduction of thromboembolic events in AF patients who undergo a concomitant cardiac surgery.

A Scoping Review of Alternative Anticoagulation Strategies for Hemodialysis Patients with a Mechanical Heart Valve.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have high rates of cardiac valvulopathy but can develop contraindications for vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy. We explored the evidence for alternative anticoagulation strategies in patients with ESRD with a contraindication for VKA therapy. METHODS: A scoping review was completed, searching MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Conference abstracts from inception to March 30, 2021. The study population was patients with ESRD who were on VKA therapy and developed a contraindication to VKA therapy use. All data regarding studies, patient characteristics, anticoagulation strategy, and clinical outcomes were summarized. RESULTS: Twenty-three articles met inclusion criteria. These articles included 57 patients. Contraindications to VKA therapy included calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA) (n = 55) and warfarin-induced skin necrosis (n = 2). All studies were either case reports or case series. There were 10 anticoagulation strategies identified. Continuation of VKA therapy was associated with increased death and decreased rates of CUA resolution (80.0% and 10.0%, respectively), compared to apixaban (24.0% and 70.8%), subcutaneous (SC) low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) (14.3%, 85.7%), and SC unfractionated heparin (0.0%, 100.0%). While only 5 patient cases were reported with mechanical heart valves, SC LMWH use has been reported in this context with good outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ESRD who develop a contraindication to VKA therapy, several alternative anticoagulation strategies have been reported with superior outcomes to VKA continuation. While outcomes appear superior to continuation of VKA therapy, more data are required before definitive recommendations can be made for the patient with ESRD and a mechanical heart valve.

Vacuna Johnson & Johnson contra COVID-19: distribución mundial de la vacuna, mecanismo de acción, indicaciones, contraindicaciones y efectos secundarios. Una revisión bibliográfica / Johnson & Johnson vaccine against COVID-19: worldwide vaccine distribution, mechanism of action, indications, contraindications and side effects. A literature review

El SARS-CoV-2, causante de que estemos viviendo una pandemia mundial, tuvo sus orígenes en China, desde donde ha traspasado fronteras rápidamente, llegando a todos los rincones del mundo. Muchos han sido los equipos de investigación que se enfrentan el reto de conseguir una vacuna que logre combatir este mortal virus. Es por este motivo que en esta investigación se pretendió analizar la bibliografía referida a la vacuna Johnson & Johnson (J&J) contra COVID-19: distribución mundial de la vacuna, mecanismo de acción, indicaciones, contraindicaciones y efectos secundarios. Varios estudios demuestran que su eficacia varía de acuerdo con la edad y género de cada individuo; sin embargo, esta vacuna alcanzó un grado de certeza moderada. Los efectos adversos en su mayoría son leves y se resolvieron al cabo de dos días, siendo excepción algunos casos, ya que se registró un efecto adverso poco común denominado trombocitopenia prevalente en mujeres de 18 a 40 años, por este motivo, la FDA (Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos de EE.UU.) recomienda la precaución en el uso de la vacuna con respecto a este efecto adverso que en algunos casos podría ser mortal (AU)

The SARS-CoV-2, which caused us to be experiencing a global pandemic, had its origins in China, from where it has crossed borders rapidly, reaching all corners of the world. Many research teams have faced the challenge of getting a vaccine to fight this deadly virus. For this reason, this research aimed to analyze the literature on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine: global distribution of the vaccine, mechanism of action, indications, contraindications and side effects. Several studies show that its effectiveness varies according to the age and gender of each individual, but this vaccine reached a moderate degree of certainty. The adverse effects are mostly mild and resolved within two days, with some exceptions being a rare adverse effect called prevalent thrombocytopenia in women aged 18 to 40 years. For this reason, the FDA recommends caution in the use of the vaccine with respect to this potentially fatal adverse effect in some cases (AU)

Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2021-2022.

This technical report accompanies the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics for the routine use of the influenza vaccine and antiviral medications in the prevention and treatment of influenza in children during the 2021-2022 season. Influenza vaccination is an important intervention to protect vulnerable populations and reduce the burden of respiratory illnesses during circulation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which is expected to continue during this influenza season. In this technical report, we summarize recent influenza seasons, morbidity and mortality in children, vaccine effectiveness, vaccination coverage, and detailed guidance on storage, administration, and implementation. We also provide background on inactivated and live attenuated influenza vaccine recommendations, vaccination during pregnancy and breastfeeding, diagnostic testing, and antiviral medications for treatment and chemoprophylaxis.

Protracted severe COVID-19 pneumonia following rituximab treatment: caution needed.

The outcomes of COVID-19 in patients treated with biologic agents are a subject of intense investigation. Recent data indicated that patients under rituximab (RTX) may carry an increased risk of serious disease. We performed an electronic search in Medline and Scopus using the keywords rituximab and COVID-19. We present a rare case of severe, protracted COVID-19 pneumonia in a patient with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) who was infected a few days following RTX treatment. In a relevant literature search, we identified 18 cases of patients with rheumatic diseases (6 RA, 8 ANCA vasculitis, 3 systemic sclerosis and 1 polymyositis) treated with RTX who experienced an atypical and/or prolonged course of COVID-19 pneumonia with no evidence of cytokine storm. Our case indicates that RTX may unfavorably affect outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection. B cell depletion may dampen the humoral response against the virus; we may hypothesize that B cell-depleted patients may be protected from cytokine storm but on the other hand may have difficulties in virus clearance leading to a protracted course. Taking into account that COVID-19 vaccines are available we may consider delaying RTX infusions at least in patients without life threatening disease, until vaccination is completed.

COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory disease: Review of available evidence.

Dermatologists diagnose and treat many immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID). Understanding the inherent immune dysregulation of these diseases as well as the additional disruption that comes as a result of IMID treatments has been important during the COVID-19 pandemic. With vaccines becoming widely available, dermatologists need to be familiar with the risks and benefits of vaccination in these patients, particularly those taking biologics, in order to have informed discussions with their patients. In this review, we present the current evidence related to COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy in patients with IMID and review existing recommendations for vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. Given the current evidence, there is minimal concern that these patients are at any greater risk of harm from COVID-19 vaccination compared to healthy controls. For most, the benefit of avoiding severe COVID-19 through vaccination will outweigh the theoretical risk of these vaccines. A question that is still outstanding is whether patients on biologics will generate a sufficient immune response to the vaccine, which may be dependent on the specific biologic therapy and indication being treated. This underscores the importance of following patients with IMID after vaccination to determine the safety, efficacy, and duration of the vaccine in this population.