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  • Clesrovimab dose lowers RSV hospitalization in infants

    A single dose of the monoclonal antibody clesrovimab significantly reduces risk of respiratory syncytial virus-associated lower respiratory infection and hospitalization in otherwise healthy infants, according to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine. The trial showed a 60.4% efficacy rate in preventing medically attended RSV LRI and an 84.2% reduction in hospitalization, with safety outcomes comparable to placebo. Infectious Disease Advisor (10/10) Learn More

  • Finerenone shows promise for some HF patients

    Finerenone has shown effectiveness in treating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and mildly reduced ejection fraction, researchers have found. The FINEARTS-HF trial demonstrated that finerenone reduced cardiovascular deaths and hospitalizations more effectively compared to placebo. Finerenone offers a more favorable safety profile and fewer adverse effects than traditional mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists such as spironolactone and eplerenone, researchers noted. Drug Topics (10/13) Learn More

  • No post-COVID cognitive decline seen in midlife adults

    A study published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases indicates that SARS-CoV-2 infection does not lead to cognitive impairment in middle-aged adults during the first year post-infection. The study, which used data from the Cognivue Clarity device, found no significant differences in cognitive scores between those who had a SARS-CoV-2 infection and those who did not, although memory scores improved slightly in the SARS-CoV-2 group. The study's limitations include its small sample size and lack of cognitive assessments in the acute phase of infection. Infectious Disease Advisor (10/10) Learn More

  • Mepolizumab linked to reduced health care use with asthma

    Treatment with mepolizumab was associated with reduced health care use and improved productivity over 24 months in patients with severe asthma, according to a study published in the Journal of Asthma. The real-world study involving 822 patients found significant decreases in hospitalizations, ED visits and outpatient visits compared with the pretreatment period. Medscape (10/9) Learn More

  • Microsoft AI tool designed to manage denied claims

    Microsoft has introduced a free, AI-backed tool for navigating claims denials to help hospitals manage them more efficiently. Developed in collaboration with the Rural Health AI Innovation Lab, the tool could be particularly beneficial for rural hospitals, which face higher denial rates than urban facilities and financial challenges. Healthcare Finance (10/9) Learn More

  • ML model uses BUN/Cr ratio to predict mortality with AFib

    A study in Scientific Reports found a U-shaped relationship between blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio and mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation, with increased risk at both low and high levels. The researchers developed a machine learning model that integrates the BUN/Cr ratio and other clinical indicators to predict mortality risk. Nature (10/8) Learn More

  • Ultrasound helps monitor aortic aneurysms

    Ultrasound has proven to be an effective tool, showing strong correlation with CT in measuring the ascending aorta diameter in patients with giant cell arteritis. The study, published in the journal Arthritis Care & Research, suggests ultrasound as a viable first-line option due to its accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and absence of radiation exposure. Medscape (10/10) Learn More

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