Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy
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Expert Opin Pharmacother · Aug 2021
ReviewAn overview of pharmacotherapy for cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia after subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Introduction: Survival from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage has increased in the past few decades. However, functional outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage is still suboptimal. Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is one of the major causes of morbidity. ⋯ Fasudil, a potent Rho-kinase inhibitor, has also been shown to improve the clinical outcome and has been approved in some countries for use in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although other drugs, including nicardipine, cilostazol, statins, clazosentan, magnesium and heparin, have been expected to have beneficial effects on DCI, there has been no convincing evidence supporting the routine use of those drugs in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in clinical practice. Further elucidation of the mechanisms underlying DCI and the development of effective therapeutic strategies for DCI, including combination therapy, are necessary to further improve the functional outcome and mortality after subarachnoid hemorrhage.
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Expert Opin Pharmacother · Jul 2021
Finerenone - are we there yet with a non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist for the treatment of diabetic chronic kidney disease?
Introduction: Chronic kidney disease occurs in 40% of subjects with diabetes and increases the risk of cardiovascular death three-fold, compared to having diabetes alone. The non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist finerenone protects against chronic kidney disease in animal models. Areas covered: This evaluation is of a phase 3 trial of finerenone; Finerenone in Reducing Kidney Failure and Disease Progression in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIDELIO-DKD). ⋯ Expert opinion: Finerenone is an effective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist for the treatment of diabetic chronic kidney disease. Recently, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporters 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors have been added to the list of medicines for use in subjects with this condition. Although finerenone has a different mechanism of action to these medicines, it will need to be tested and shown to be effective in presence of these medicines in diabetic kidney disease, prior to widespread use.
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Expert Opin Pharmacother · Jun 2021
Can NSAIDs and Acetaminophen Effectively Replace Opioid Treatment Options for Acute Pain?
Opioid analgesia for acute painful conditions has come under increasing scrutiny with the public health crisis of opioid overdose, leading clinicians to seek nonopioid alternatives, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen (paracetamol). ⋯ The short-term use of opioids under close clinical supervision, such as in-hospital use of opioid analgesics for postoperative pain, may be appropriate, but even here, combination therapy or nonopioid therapy may be preferred. The use of opioids even for acute pain of short duration has been questioned. The ideal analgesic has yet to be developed, but effective pain control pharmacological regimens for acute pain are available.
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Expert Opin Pharmacother · Apr 2021
ReviewPerioperative pharmacotherapy to prevent cardiac complications in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.
Introduction: Despite advances in surgical and anesthetic techniques, perioperative cardiovascular complications are a major cause of 30-day perioperative mortality. Major cardiovascular complications after noncardiac surgery include myocardial ischemia, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest. Along with surgical risk assessment, perioperative medical optimization can reduce the rates and clinical impact of these complications. ⋯ However, the heterogeneous nature of patients, as well as surgeries, makes it practically impossible to devise a 'one size fits all' recommendation in this setting. Thus, the importance of a more individualized approach to perioperative risk stratification and management is being increasingly recognized. The underlying comorbidities and cardiac profile as well as the risk of cardiac complications associated with the planned surgery must be factored in to understand the nuance of the management strategies.
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Expert Opin Pharmacother · Apr 2021
ReviewAn update on the efficacy and safety of novel anticoagulants for cancer associated thrombosis.
Introduction: Cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) refers to the most common thromboembolic complication of cancer which is venous thromboembolism (VTE). CAT primary prophylaxis, treatment, and secondary prevention are challenging for the complexity of cancer patients, who exhibit hypercoagulability with concomitant-heightened bleeding risk. Areas covered: In this review, the author examines the role of low molecular weight heparins (LMWH), which have been the standard of care for CAT treatment for many years. ⋯ Finally, the author discusses four RCTS separately comparing an oral direct factor Xa inhibitor (edoxaban, rivaroxaban, or apixaban) with LMWH for CAT treatment. DOACS showed non-inferior efficacy, although rivaroxaban and edoxaban showed higher bleeding rates, especially in gastrointestinal cancers. Expert opinion: DOACS have a convenient route of administration and do not require laboratory monitoring, although choice of anticoagulants for CAT depends on factors such as tumor type, bleeding risk, concomitant drugs, and comorbidities.