Daily ambulatory remote monitoring system for drug escalation in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: pilot phase of DAVID-HF study.

Aims: Underutilization of guideline-directed heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) medications contributes to poor outcomes.

Methods And Results: A pilot study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a home-based remote monitoring system for HFrEF management was performed. The system included wearable armband monitors paired with the smartphone application.

Epidemiology and outcomes of early-onset AKI in COVID-19-related ARDS in comparison with non-COVID-19-related ARDS: insights from two prospective global cohort studies.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent and severe complication of both COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and non-COVID-19-related ARDS. The COVID-19 Critical Care Consortium (CCCC) has generated a global data set on the demographics, management and outcomes of critically ill COVID-19 patients. The LUNG-SAFE study was an international prospective cohort study of patients with severe respiratory failure, including ARDS, which pre-dated the pandemic.

Body volume is the major determinant of worsening renal function in acutely decompensated heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

Aims: Little is known about the relative importance of body volume and haemodynamic parameters in the development of worsening of renal function in acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF). To study the relationship between haemodynamic parameters, body water content and worsening of renal function in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) hospitalised for ADHF.

Methods And Results: This prospective observational study involved 51 consecutive patients with HFrEF (age: 73±14 years, male: 60%, left ventricular ejection fraction: 33.

Point-of-care ultrasound augments physical examination learning by undergraduate medical students.

Background: Little is known about the impact of the provision of handheld point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) devices on physical examination skills of medical students.

Methods: We describe an educational initiative that comprised a POCUS workshop followed by allocation of a POCUS device to medical students for use over the subsequent 8 weeks. They were encouraged to scan patients and correlate their physical examination findings.

Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection Impairs Dendritic Cell and T Cell Responses.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in millions of infections, yet the role of host immune responses in early COVID-19 pathogenesis remains unclear. By investigating 17 acute and 24 convalescent patients, we found that acute SARS-CoV-2 infection resulted in broad immune cell reduction including T, natural killer, monocyte, and dendritic cells (DCs). DCs were significantly reduced with functional impairment, and ratios of conventional DCs to plasmacytoid DCs were increased among acute severe patients.

Triple combination of interferon beta-1b, lopinavir-ritonavir, and ribavirin in the treatment of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19: an open-label, randomised, phase 2 trial.

Background: Effective antiviral therapy is important for tackling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We assessed the efficacy and safety of combined interferon beta-1b, lopinavir-ritonavir, and ribavirin for treating patients with COVID-19.

Methods: This was a multicentre, prospective, open-label, randomised, phase 2 trial in adults with COVID-19 who were admitted to six hospitals in Hong Kong.

Fourth nerve palsy with monovision.

The fourth cranial nerve is the most vulnerable cranial nerve. Its damage gives rise to a vertical ocular deviation and usually the patient comes with a right head-tilt. The Parks-Bielschowsky three-step test is a simple and useful test for identifying the paretic extraocular muscle, giving rise to such a vertical ocular deviation.