Curēus
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Effective treatments for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak are urgently needed. While anti-viral approaches and vaccines are being considered immediate countermeasures are unavailable. The aim of this article is to outline a perspective on the pathophysiology of COVID-19 in the context of the currently available clinical data published in the literature. ⋯ The utilization of medications found to be effective in HAPE, for the treatment of COVID-19, is proposed. Given the medical emergency of a growing contagion and the thousands of lives at stake, expedient attempts to improve survival are needed. Acetazolamide, Nifedipine and Phosphodiesterase inhibitors may be potential countermeasures.
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Widespread, non-stop, and often sensational coverage of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has caught many governments flat-footed in efforts to protect the health and safety of their citizens. In response to the current global health event, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. ⋯ Universal adoption of best practices for infection control is the surest way for governments to prepare for mass gatherings. In these uncertain times, it is up to intergovernmental organizations to be the voice of reason.
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Introduction Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a major burden on the health care system. The timing of endoscopy has been an ongoing debate and data on the association of early endoscopy with a better or worse clinical outcome are conflicting. In our study, we aimed to identify the benefits versus the risks of performing an urgent endoscopy in regards to the number of endoscopic interventions, length of hospital stay, number of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) transfused, and mortality. Methodology This is a retrospective record-based study. ⋯ There was no statistical difference in the Blatchford scores between the three groups, indicating that the groups were similar in morbidity. No difference in mortality, hospital length of stay, or number of blood transfusions received, surgical or interventional radiology-guided interventions was found between the three groups. Conclusion Patients who underwent urgent endoscopy had more procedures, with no difference in mortality, number of units of blood transfused, or length of hospitalization when compared to the early or late endoscopy groups.
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In December 2019, several patients from Wuhan, China were admitted to hospitals with symptoms of pneumonia. As the number of patients presenting with similar symptoms started to rise, the causative agent was eventually isolated from samples. It was initially called the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and has been recently relabelled as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); the disease it causes has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). ⋯ The World Health Organization (WHO) called COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020. There are multiple drug trials going on with some positive results. However, since no vaccine is available, the best way to combat the virus is by preventive methods.
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Case Reports
An Atypical Cardiac Manifestation of Fabry Disease from a Novel Pathological Variant on the GLA Gene.
Fabry disease (FD) is one of the most common lysosomal storage disorders and is caused by an X-linked progressive inborn error of metabolism in the alpha-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) gene. This leads to intracellular accumulation of glycosphingolipids, mainly globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), throughout the body. The impact of this accumulation is seen across multiple cell lines and therefore can cause multisystem organ dysfunction. ⋯ Further measurement of α-Gal A leukocyte activity showed low levels, which was diagnostic for FD. The index patient had an unusual non-classic phenotype in that his sole presenting symptom was asymptomatic LVH, he presented early, and had low α-Gal A leukocyte activity. Early detection and prompt treatment with enzyme replacement therapy can improve outcomes and decrease mortality. In the absence of known risk factors, non-classical FD should be strongly considered in patients with unexplained LVH and a family history of sudden cardiac death at a young age.