Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Jan 2021
ReviewRenin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) Inhibitors and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been proven to be used by SARS-CoV-2 for host cell entry. Considering that angiotensin receptor blockers and ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) upregulate the expression of ACE2 in animal studies, there may be a concern about whether these drugs may increase COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. ⋯ This review provides greater insight into the role of the RAAS axis in acute lung injury and the effects of RAAS inhibitors on SARS-CoVs. The hypothesis that RAAS inhibitors facilitate viral insertion and the alternative hypothesis of the beneficial role of these drugs are discussed. Up-to-date published data concerning the RAAS inhibitors and COVID-19 are summarized.
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Southern medical journal · Jan 2021
Efficacy and Safety of Nonvitamin K Oral Anticoagulants following Cardiac Valve Replacement.
To compare the efficacy and safety of nonvitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) following bioprosthetic cardiac valve replacement. ⋯ Our study is the first to report the efficacy and safety of NOACs compared with VKA therapy following bioprosthetic cardiac valve replacement irrespective of an atrial fibrillation diagnosis. Notably, two of the thromboembolic events in the NOAC group occurred while therapy was held or inappropriately dosed; when these events are removed, the rate of thromboembolism is 3.8%. This rate is consistent with the VKA group. Our study adds to a small pool of literature regarding the use of NOACs following bioprosthetic cardiac valve replacement and suggests that NOACs may have similar efficacy and improved safety as compared with VKA therapy. Large randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm our observations.
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Southern medical journal · Jan 2021
Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Twins Compared with Singletons.
It is well known that twin pregnancies confer a high degree of adverse perinatal outcomes. Fetal growth restriction, preterm labor/delivery, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are among the causal etiologies associated. Hematologic parameters, specifically, the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet:lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and some of the routine complete blood cell count components denote a peculiar inflammatory and immunologic profile and have been used as clinical markers for specific obstetric syndromes. To our knowledge, no study has ever evaluated NLR/PLR in twins as a distinct population from singletons. Our primary objective was to analyze NLR/PLR in twins compared with singletons. Our secondary objective was to compare white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets between twins and singletons. ⋯ We speculate that a decrease in NLR from the first to the second trimester and a decrease in platelet in the second trimester reflect both the physiologic inflammatory/immune reaction of early pregnancy and denote a vital response for the development of normal placentation in twin gestations.
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Southern medical journal · Jan 2021
Opioid Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology Training Programs.
Our primary objective was to assess the current state of pain and opioid education in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) by performing a detailed review of the national educational curricula guiding OBGYN residency and fellowship training programs in the United States. ⋯ Our study identifies an opportunity for consistent and appropriate opioid and pain management education in OBGYN training.
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Southern medical journal · Jan 2021
Do Geographic Region, Pathologic Chronicity, and Hospital Affiliation Affect Access to Care Among Medicaid- and Privately Insured Foot and Ankle Surgery Patients?
Studies have shown that patients enrolled in Medicaid have difficulty obtaining access to care compared with patients with private insurance. Whether variables such as geographic location, state expansion versus nonexpansion, and private versus academic affiliation affect access to care among foot and ankle surgery patients enrolled in Medicaid has not been previously established. The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in access to care between patients who are privately insured and those with Medicaid in need of foot and ankle consultation. Secondary objectives include assessment of whether access to care for foot and ankle patients with Medicaid differs between those with acute and chronic conditions, Medicaid expanded and unexpanded states, geographic regions within the United States, and academic versus private practices. ⋯ Patients with Medicaid experience fewer options when obtaining appointments for common nonemergent foot and ankle problems and may experience less difficulty scheduling appointments at academic rather than private institutions. The medical community should continue to seek and identify potential interventions which can improve access to orthopedic care for all patients and increase the visibility of practices that accept Medicaid.