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News Somapacitan administered once weekly in the treatment of children with growth hormone deficiency –⁠ current understanding

Somapacitan is a long-acting derivative of recombinant human growth hormone approved for the treatment of children and adults with growth hormone (GH) deficiency. Dr. Reiko Horikawa from Japan's National Center for Child Health and Development in Tokyo, during the 24th Pediatric Endocrinology Days held in Brno in January 2024, showed that it is a promising therapeutic option for pediatric patients from 3 years of age, thanks to its efficacy, safety, and potential to improve therapy adherence. However, careful long-term monitoring of the safety of long-acting growth hormone (LAGH) products is still necessary.

Source: Growth Disorders 12. 6. 2024

News Lung Recovery After COVID-19: How Reversible is the Damage?

During the virtual XXV Hradec Pulmonology Days held in April 2021, various aspects concerning COVID-19 were among the major topics. Dr. Bram van den Borst from Radboud University Nijmegen provided a comprehensive summary of current insights regarding lung recovery following an infection.

Source: COPD 22. 6. 2021

News Induction vs. Escalation Treatment: Which Strategy to Choose in the Therapy of Multiple Sclerosis?

Opinions on the optimal therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) are constantly evolving, and experts are debating the most appropriate first-line treatment strategy. A British cohort study focused on the long-term outcomes of induction and escalation therapies, two key approaches in the treatment of MS.

Source: Multiple Sclerosis 25. 6. 2020

News Effects of Progestins in Combination with EE on Endothelial Function, Lipid Levels, and Oxidative Stress in Women with Endometriosis

Studies have shown endothelial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress in women with endometriosis. Theoretically, they may be at increased cardiovascular risk. The study presented below investigated the effects of progestins with or without androgenic properties in combination with ethinylestradiol (EE) on endothelial function, lipid levels, and oxidative stress in women with endometriosis.

Source: Oral Contraception 15. 2. 2022

News Are there mutual interactions between candesartan and amlodipine in the combination therapy of hypertension?

Monotherapy is often insufficient in the treatment of hypertension; however, combining antihypertensives with different mechanisms of action can be complicated by their mutual interactions. Therefore, a study by South Korean authors examined the pharmacokinetic interactions between candesartan and amlodipine, substances that are commonly used together in combined treatment.

Source: Sartans in the Treatment of Hypertension 14. 6. 2021

News Romiplostim in Life-Threatening Bleeding Situations −⁠ Case Reports

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura, or immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), typically manifests as bleeding due to a low platelet count. Some bleeding episodes can be life-threatening or fatal. Clinical experience suggests that in acute bleeding complications, whether in acute ITP or exacerbations of chronic ITP, early use of the thrombopoietin receptor agonist (TPO-RA) romiplostim can be beneficial. Japanese authors have described three case reports of severe diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) associated with various underlying conditions.

Source: Immune Thrombocytopenia 9. 5. 2023

News Efficacy and Safety of Enoxaparin as Bridging Anticoagulant Therapy After Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

The implantation of a ventricular assist device has become an increasingly common method in the treatment of end-stage heart failure in recent years. The implantation of the device necessitates anticoagulant therapy. In the long term, warfarin is most often used according to guidelines, but there are no clear recommendations for early postoperative anticoagulant therapy. The aim of a clinical study published last year was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of enoxaparin as bridging anticoagulant therapy after device implantation within a 3-month postoperative period.

Source: Thromboprophylaxis 1. 10. 2021

News Improving treatment outcomes of HF with preserved ejection fraction according to JACC: What does the success of gliflozins mean for the future?

The Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) recently issued a scientific statement in which the authors thoroughly examined current knowledge on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction of the left ventricle (HFpEF). Recent studies in this heterogeneous disease suggest the importance of carefully determining the HFpEF phenotype in a given patient based on pathophysiology, which enables better individualization of treatment. The authors also reflect on the success of gliflozins in treating HFpEF and how HFpEF pharmacotherapy can be further improved.

Source: Heart Failure 4. 3. 2024

News What Benefits Does the Fixed Combination of Candesartan/Amlodipine Bring?

A relatively new fixed combination used in the treatment of hypertension is represented by candesartan/amlodipine, that is, a sartan and a calcium channel blocker. Its advantage compared to the combination of ACE inhibitor/calcium channel blocker is primarily the lower occurrence of side effects.

Source: Sartans in the Treatment of Hypertension 9. 12. 2021

News Efficacy of Dabigatran on Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

The direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran has shown interesting efficacy in a smaller clinical study in patients with atrial fibrillation and a thrombus in the left atrial appendage. Chinese authors evaluated the results of anticoagulant therapy using transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography.

Source: Anticoagulant Treatment 22. 2. 2021

News AI Could Transform Cancer Treatment by Precisely Identifying Tumor Cells

A new artificial intelligence tool called AAnet, developed and tested by researchers led by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, focuses on the cellular diversity within individual tumors. Deeper understanding of the different types of cells present in tumors could pave the way for therapies more accurately tailored to individual patients.

Source: 10. 9. 2025

News Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

To date, 45 cases of idiopathic (autoimmune) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection have been published in the literature. In September 2020, a review summarizing the clinical profile and treatment outcomes of ITP in these individuals was released.

Source: Immune Thrombocytopenia 27. 10. 2020

News Desirable Side Effects of Antidiabetics

The days when diabetology was a field solely focused on normalizing blood sugar levels are long gone. Today, the approach in diabetology increasingly prioritizes influencing the patient's overall life prognosis, particularly reducing cardiovascular risk. What can be the desirable side effects of the main groups of antidiabetics that are not related to merely lowering glucose levels?

Source: Diabetes 6. 11. 2020

News Summary of Guidelines for the Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment of Invasive Fungal Infections in Pediatric Patients with Leukemia and Post Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Invasive fungal diseases are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised pediatric patients with leukemia and post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. During the 8th European Conference on Infections in Leukemia (ECIL-8) in 2020, the pediatric group reviewed and updated recommendations for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of invasive fungal infections in pediatric patients.

Source: Anti-Infectives 18. 11. 2021

News Under the Microscope: How is Patient Care for Heart Failure in the Czech Republic in Real Practice?

The journal Vnitřní lékařství recently published the results of a survey conducted among outpatient cardiologists and internists. The aim was to determine the level of diagnosis and treatment of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) in real-life practice in the Czech Republic, with a special focus on the presence of symptoms in patients who have not yet been diagnosed. We briefly summarize the key findings from this survey.

Source: Heart Failure 18. 4. 2024