Trending Clinical Topic: COVID-19
New research and information on acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a virus that causes COVID-19 disease, is a major issue in the world and in the medical world these days.
The Coronavirus Study Group of International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses named the new coronavirus “SARS-CoV-2” based on its genetic link to SARS-CoV, which caused the outbreak of influenza in 2002. Among the many concerns related to SARS-CoV-2 is its means of transmission.
An article published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggested that the virus can remain viable in aerosols for hours and on surfaces for days. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it still appears to be the main means of transmission from person to person.
Clinical tips in the management of diagnostic-therapeutic centers,
Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety alert which stated that fecal microbiota transplants (FMTs) are also associated with a risk for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The FDA recommends the following actions regarding any use of FMT.
- Screen donors by asking questions designed to identify donors who currently may be infected or who recently may have been infected with SARS-CoV-2
- Inform FMT recipients about the potential for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via FMT, including FMT prepared from stool from donors who are asymptomatic for COVID-19
To further reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the American Heart Association (AHA) has issued interim guidance for CPR and emergency cardiovascular care for patients with COVID-19. In addition to standard and transmission-based precautions, specific guidance includes restricting who is present during CPR, performing aerosol-generating procedures in airborne infection isolation rooms, and prioritizing gowns for aerosol-generating procedures if they are in short supply. The guidelines also cover other concerns related to personal protective equipment and specific considerations for EMS and other first responders.
The relationship between hypertension and COVID-19 is also under investigation. SARS-CoV-2 enters the lungs through ACE2 receptors, and evidence suggests that people with hypertension appear to have worse outcomes than those with any other underlying condition. The biggest question is whether ACE inhibitors, which are commonly used to treat high blood pressure, may help or hurt people at the highest risk for severe COVID-19. At this point, whether patients taking an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin-receptor blocker should switch to another medication is unclear. Experts suggest that urgent investigation is needed to clarify this and other related questions. As more findings emerge and the pandemic continues, subjects related to COVID-19 are likely to remain the top trending clinical topics.
Referance: Medscape website