Der Internist
-
Less than a year after the first detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), vaccines have been approved for routine use in numerous countries and have already been used in mass vaccination programs. Vaccines include the mRNA BNT162b2 and mRNA 1273. Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis account for a substantial proportion of the adverse reactions to these vaccines observed to date, but overall they are rare. ⋯ This is followed by a discussion of the therapeutic approach to anaphylactic reactions, as well as the drugs and medical supplies required to treat them. It is important to note that any vaccinee may be affected by anaphylaxis, regardless of whether or not allergic diseases are already known. Therefore, every vaccination site and every vaccinator must be prepared to recognize and treat severe allergic reactions.
-
Arterial hypertension is a real global burden with a very high prevalence. In the last decades, many pharmaceutical approaches have been successfully developed for treating hypertension. Currently, novel medications for influencing blood pressure are not in sight. ⋯ In very systematic sham-controlled, blinded studies in patients with hypertension but without medication a robust blood pressure reducing effect of RDN could be shown, which corresponded to the effect of a blood pressure-reducing drug. It is obvious that larger studies and also long-term studies have to sustainably confirm this effect. In recent years, active and passive stimulation of the baroreceptors could also be established as a blood pressure reducing principle, at least in studies but the evidence is still very low.