Medical Bulletin 23/January/2024

Here are the top medical news of the day:

New ways for preserving heart function in patients with pulmonary hypertension

A team led by Dr Guadalupe Sabio at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) in Madrid has discovered a possible therapeutic target for pulmonary hypertension.

The study published in the journal Science Advances, identifies the first therapeutic target that can be modulated to preserve cardiac function in pulmonary hypertension providing hope in the fight against this rare but fatal disease for which there is currently no cure.

Pulmonary hypertension is a condition of elevated blood pressure in the arteries that carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs. This increased pulmonary blood pressure puts the heart under continuous strain as it has to work harder to pump blood to the lungs.

Reference: First therapeutic target for preserving heart function in patients with pulmonary hypertension; Science Advances

Effectiveness of Opioid Prescription Limits in Curtailing Prescription Duration

Study analyzed a West Virginia policy that tailored duration limits to a patient’s clinical setting. Researchers found a 27-57% reduction in prescription length with the tailored policy. Additional research is needed on potential consequences of limits, such as use of illicit opioids for pain relief.

Many states have passed new laws that place restrictions on the duration of first-time opioid prescriptions to help address the opioid epidemic.

While most laws are one-size-fits-all, policies more tailored to the patient, such as their age or clinical setting (outpatient clinic, emergency room, etc.), were more effective at reducing the length of opioid prescriptions, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study.

It is the first study to examine the effectiveness of setting-specific opioid prescribing durations. The study, published Jan. 19 in JAMA Health Forum.

Reference: When are opioid prescription limits effective in reducing prescription length? JAMA Health Forum

Timing of maternal COVID-19 vaccine and antibody concentrations in infants born preterm

In this prospective study of 220 pregnant individuals with preterm and full-term deliveries, receipt of three or more compared with two doses of COVID-19 vaccine before delivery resulted in 10-fold higher cord anti-Spike antibody levels.

Maternal antibody concentration appeared more important than delivery gestational age in determining cord anti-Spike antibody levels. The number of doses and timing considerations for COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy should include individuals at risk for preterm delivery. The study is published in JAMA Network.

Reference: Timing of maternal COVID-19 vaccine and antibody concentrations in infants born preterm JAMA Network