Blood Test Could Predict Death Risk
Researchers in Finland and Estonia have discovered novel biological markers that are strongly indicative of the risk of dying from any disease within the next five years.
Facilitators Identified in Uptake of Flu Vaccine by Healthcare Personnel
Researchers recently conducted a quality improvement project to increase uptake of the influenza vaccine among healthcare personnel at a university student health center.
Four-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate Superior to Plasma for Warfarin Reversal Required Prior to Urgent Surgery
In April 2013, the first nonactivated four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC; Kcentra, CSL Behring) was approved for urgentVKA reversal in patients with acute major bleeding.
IVIG May Improve Left Ventrical Function and Reduce Episodes of Arrhythmia in Adults with Acute Fulminant Myocarditis
Chinese investigators conducted an observational retrospective case study of inpatients presenting at Guangdong General Hospital with acute fulminant myocarditis (AFM) between January 2001 and December 2010.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin (Privigen) Effective, Well-Tolerated as Therapy for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
In a prospective, multicenter, single-arm, open-label PhaseIII study, 61 percent of patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) responded to induction and maintenance therapy with a 10% liquid human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (Privigen, CSL Behring).
Study Reveals Barriers to Flu Vaccine for Pregnant Women
A recent study conducted to evaluate barriers to pregnant women’s uptake of the influenza vaccine found that the decline in vaccination among this population was due to lower levels of knowledge and unfavorable attitudes regarding the vaccine’s safety and efficacy.
Immunogenicity, Reactogenicity and Safety of Quadrivalent and Trivalent Influenza Vaccines
A total of 4,659 adults aged 18 years or older were randomized to receive a single dose of inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine (IIV4) from one of three production lots or an inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine (IIV3) containing either a B/Victoria or B/Yamagata strain.
Safety and Efficacy of Investigational Single-Chain Recombinant Factor VIII Examined in Preclinical Studies
A recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) featuring a covalent linkage between heavy and light chains and expressed as a single chain molecule has demonstrated “convincing hemostatic efficacy and excellent tolerability” in multiple animal studies, according to CSL Behring researchers.
Shingles Vaccine May Be Safe for Autoimmune Disease Patients
A recent study conducted at theUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham shows that the shingles vaccine appears to be safe and effective for those suffering from autoimmune diseases.
Use of Hydroxyethyl Starch in Sepsis Patients Increases Risk of Renal Replacement Therapy, Transfusion, Serious Adverse Events
Newer hydroxyethyl starch (HES) products with molecular weight of 130kDa and substitution ratios ranging from 0.38 to 0.45 (130/0.38-0.45) have been claimed to be safer than higher molecular weight (200/0.5-0.6) HES products, which were shown to cause acute kidney injury in two randomized trials in patients with sepsis.