-
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy May 2024Schistosomiasis, a widespread parasitic disease caused by the blood fluke of the genus , affects over 230 million people, primarily in developing countries....
Schistosomiasis, a widespread parasitic disease caused by the blood fluke of the genus , affects over 230 million people, primarily in developing countries. Praziquantel, the sole drug currently approved for schistosomiasis treatment, demonstrates effectiveness against patent infections. A recent study highlighted the antiparasitic properties of amiodarone, an anti-arrhythmic drug, exhibiting higher efficacy than praziquantel against prepatent infections. This study assessed the efficacy of amiodarone and praziquantel, both individually and in combination, against through comprehensive and experiments. experiments demonstrated synergistic activity (fractional inhibitory concentration index ≤0.5) for combinations of amiodarone with praziquantel. In a murine model of schistosomiasis featuring prepatent infections, treatments involving amiodarone (200 or 400 mg/kg) followed by praziquantel (200 or 400 mg/kg) yielded a substantial reduction in worm burden (60%-70%). Given the low efficacy of praziquantel in prepatent infections, combinations of amiodarone with praziquantel may offer clinical utility in the treatment of schistosomiasis.
PubMed: 38780260
DOI: 10.1128/aac.00114-24 -
Resuscitation Plus Jun 2024Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is increasingly used as a supportive treatment for refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Still, there is...
INTRODUCTION
Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is increasingly used as a supportive treatment for refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Still, there is a paucity of data evaluating favorable and unfavorable prognostic characteristics in patients considered for ECPR.
METHODS
We performed a previously unplanned post-hoc analysis of the multicenter randomized controlled INCEPTION-trial. The study group consisted of patients receiving ECPR, irrespective of initial group randomization. The patients were divided into favorable survivors (cerebral performance category [CPC] 1-2) and unfavorable or non-survivors (CPC 3-5).
RESULTS
In the initial INCEPTION-trial, 134 patients were randomized. ECPR treatment was started in 46 (66%) of 70 patients in the ECPR treatment arm and 3 (4%) of 74 patients in the conventional treatment arm. No statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics, medical history, or causes of arrest were observed between survivors ( = 5) and non-survivors ( = 44). More patients in the surviving group had a shockable rhythm at the time of cannulation (60% vs. 14%, = 0.037), underwent more defibrillation attempts (13 vs. 6, = 0.002), and received higher dosages of amiodarone (450 mg vs 375 mg, = 0.047) despite similar durations of resuscitation maneuvers. Furthermore, non-survivors more frequently had post-ECPR implantation adverse events.
CONCLUSION
The persistence of ventricular arrhythmia is a favorable prognostic factor in patients with refractory OHCA undergoing an ECPR-based treatment. Future studies are warranted to confirm this finding and to establish additional prognostic factors.clinicaltrials.gov registration number NCT03101787.
PubMed: 38778803
DOI: 10.1016/j.resplu.2024.100657 -
Parasitology Research May 2024Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease associated with considerable morbidity. Praziquantel (PZQ) is effective against adult schistosomes, yet, it has little...
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease associated with considerable morbidity. Praziquantel (PZQ) is effective against adult schistosomes, yet, it has little effect on juvenile stages, and PZQ resistance is emerging. Adopting the drug repurposing strategy as well as assuming enhancing the efficacy and lessening the doses and side effects, the present study aimed to investigate the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of the widely used antiarrhythmic, amiodarone, and diuretic, spironolactone, and combinations of them compared to PZQ. Mice were infected by Schistosoma mansoni "S. mansoni" cercariae (Egyptian strain), then they were divided into two major groups: Early- [3 weeks post-infection (wpi)] and late- [6 wpi] treated. Each group was subdivided into seven subgroups: positive control, PZQ, amiodarone, spironolactone, PZQ combined with amiodarone, PZQ combined with spironolactone, and amiodarone combined with spironolactone-treated groups. Among the early-treated groups, spironolactone had the best therapeutic impact indicated by a 69.4% reduction of total worm burden (TWB), 38.6% and 48.4% reduction of liver and intestine egg load, and a significant reduction of liver granuloma number by 49%. Whereas, among the late-treated groups, amiodarone combined with PZQ was superior to PZQ alone evidenced by 96.1% reduction of TWB with the total disappearance of female and copula in the liver and intestine, 53.1% and 84.9% reduction of liver and intestine egg load, and a significant reduction of liver granuloma number by 67.6%. Comparatively, spironolactone was superior to PZQ and amiodarone in the early treatment phase targeting immature stages, while amiodarone had a more potent effect when combined with PZQ in the late treatment phase targeting mature schistosomes.
Topics: Animals; Schistosomiasis mansoni; Mice; Schistosoma mansoni; Disease Models, Animal; Praziquantel; Amiodarone; Female; Spironolactone; Schistosomicides; Male; Anthelmintics; Treatment Outcome; Drug Therapy, Combination; Liver
PubMed: 38771511
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08236-8 -
Cardiology Journal 2024
Comparative Study
Topics: Humans; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Emergency Service, Hospital; Flecainide; Amiodarone; Heart Rate; Male; Propafenone; Treatment Outcome; Female; Antazoline; Aged; Middle Aged; Atrial Fibrillation
PubMed: 38771221
DOI: 10.5603/cj.96610 -
The Australian Journal of Rural Health May 2024Direct current cardioversion (DCCV) remains one of the recommended management strategies for symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) are...
INTRODUCTION
Direct current cardioversion (DCCV) remains one of the recommended management strategies for symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) are prescribed post procedure to maintain sinus rhythm (SR). Limited literature exists on the AAD prescribing practices and their efficacy, post-DCCV in rural Australia.
OBJECTIVE
The primary aim was to determine the preferred AAD post-DCCV and the factors affecting AAD prescribing practices. The secondary aim was to assess the efficacy of the AAD in maintaining SR.
DESIGN
A retrospective observational audit of patients with non-valvular AF who underwent successful elective DCCV for symptomatic AF, during 2015-2020 at a regional hospital in New South Wales (NSW) (Dubbo Base Hospital). Patients were followed up for a duration of 12 months post-DCCV.
RESULTS
233 patients underwent successful DCCV during the study duration. Amiodarone was the preferred AAD of choice post-DCCV followed by sotalol and flecainide, respectively (36.5% vs. 27.8% vs. 1.3%). 35.2% patients were not prescribed AAD. Amiodarone and sotalol had similar but modest efficacies and neither were superior to no AAD, in maintaining SR 12 months post-DCCV (AF recurrence rate 61.5% vs. 68.2% vs. 71.6% respectively, p = 0.37). Antecedent cerebrovascular accident (CVA), pulmonary disease, smoking, prior treatment with digoxin, diuretics and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction were factors that influenced AAD prescribing practices.
CONCLUSION
The study demonstrates equal efficacies of amiodarone, sotalol and no AAD in maintaining SR 12 months post-DCCV. Prescribing practices post-DCCV at Dubbo Base Hospital differ from observed national trends and guidelines. AAD prescription requires a multifaceted approach with a key consideration to prioritise safety over efficacy, being mindful of challenges in delivering optimal healthcare in a rural setting.
PubMed: 38766693
DOI: 10.1111/ajr.13138 -
Clinical Case Reports May 2024An interesting case that shows an infrequent cause of cardiorespiratory arrest such as coronary vasospasm due to intravenous amiodarone induced Kounis syndrome. It...
KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE
An interesting case that shows an infrequent cause of cardiorespiratory arrest such as coronary vasospasm due to intravenous amiodarone induced Kounis syndrome. It highlights the usefulness of circulatory support with ECMO in the scenario of CPR.
ABSTRACT
A patient with atrial fibrillation was admitted for an elective electrical cardioversion. He was given an amiodarone bolus that triggered Kounis syndrome with cardiac arrest due to vasospasm requiring emergency coronary angiography with infusion of nitroglycerin. Due to following refractory shock and severe refractory hypoxemia required mechanical circulatory support with ECMO and inhaled nitric oxide with favorable evolution. Allergy to amiodarone was later confirmed.
PubMed: 38765612
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.8712 -
Journal of Critical Care May 2024The echocardiography parameters may predict the maintenance of sinus rhythm after cardioversion of a supraventricular arrhythmia (SVA).
PURPOSE
The echocardiography parameters may predict the maintenance of sinus rhythm after cardioversion of a supraventricular arrhythmia (SVA).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Patients in septic shock with onset of an SVA, normal to moderately reduced LV systolic function (EF_LV˃̳35%) and on a continuous noradrenaline of <1.0 μg/kg.min were included. Echocardiography was performed at the arrhythmia onset, 1 h and 4 h post cardioversion on an infusion of propafenone or amiodarone.
RESULTS
Cardioversion was achieved in 96% of the 209 patients within a median time of 6(1.8-15.6)h, 134(64.1%) patients experienced at least one SVA recurrence after cardioversion. At 4 h the left atrial emptying fraction (LA_EF, cut-off 38.4%, AUC 0.69,p˂0.001), and transmitral A wave velocity-time-integral (Avti, cut-off 6.8 cm, AUC 0.65,p = 0.001) showed as limited predictors of a single arrhythmia recurrence. The LA_EF 44(36,49)%, (p = 0.005) and the Avti 8.65(7.13,9.50)cm, (p < 0.001) were associated with sustained sinus rhythm and decreased proportionally to increasing numbers of arrhythmia recurrences (p < 0.001 and p = 0.007, respectively). The enlarged left atrial end-systolic diameter at the arrhythmia onset (p = 0.04) and elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure at 4 h (p = 0.007) were weak predictors of multiple(˃3) recurrences.
CONCLUSION
The LA_EF and Avti are related to arrhythmia recurrences post-cardioversion suggesting potential guidance to the choice between rhythm and rate control strategies.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03029169, registered on 24th of January 2017.
PubMed: 38759581
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2024.154832 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Jun 2024Chagasic chronic cardiomyopathy (CCC) is the primary clinical manifestation of Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Current therapeutic options for CD are...
Chagasic chronic cardiomyopathy (CCC) is the primary clinical manifestation of Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Current therapeutic options for CD are limited to benznidazole (Bz) and nifurtimox. Amiodarone (AMD) has emerged as most effective drug for treating the arrhythmic form of CCC. To address the effects of Bz and AMD we used a preclinical model of CCC. Female C57BL/6 mice were infected with T. cruzi and subjected to oral treatment for 30 consecutive days, either as monotherapy or in combination. AMD in monotherapy decreased the prolonged QTc interval, the incidence of atrioventricular conduction disorders and cardiac hypertrophy. However, AMD monotherapy did not impact parasitemia, parasite load, TNF concentration and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cardiac tissue. Alike Bz therapy, the combination of Bz and AMD (Bz/AMD), improved cardiac electric abnormalities detected T. cruzi-infected mice such as decrease in heart rates, enlargement of PR and QTc intervals and increased incidence of atrioventricular block and sinus arrhythmia. Further, Bz/AMD therapy ameliorated the ventricular function and reduced parasite burden in the cardiac tissue and parasitemia to a degree comparable to Bz monotherapy. Importantly, Bz/AMD treatment efficiently reduced TNF concentration in the cardiac tissue and plasma and had beneficial effects on immunological abnormalities. Moreover, in the cardiac tissue Bz/AMD therapy reduced fibronectin and collagen deposition, mitochondrial damage and production of ROS, and improved sarcomeric and gap junction integrity. Our study underlines the potential of the Bz/AMD therapy, as we have shown that combination increased efficacy in the treatment of CCC.
Topics: Animals; Nitroimidazoles; Female; Disease Models, Animal; Trypanosoma cruzi; Amiodarone; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Drug Therapy, Combination; Chagas Cardiomyopathy; Trypanocidal Agents; Mice; Chagas Disease; Reactive Oxygen Species; Chronic Disease; Parasitemia; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Parasite Load
PubMed: 38754265
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116742 -
Cureus Apr 2024Antiarrhythmic drugs play a pivotal role in managing and preventing arrhythmias. Amiodarone, classified as a class III antiarrhythmic, has been used prophylactically to... (Review)
Review
Antiarrhythmic drugs play a pivotal role in managing and preventing arrhythmias. Amiodarone, classified as a class III antiarrhythmic, has been used prophylactically to effectively prevent atrial fibrillation postoperatively in cardiac surgeries. However, there is a lack of consensus on the use of amiodarone and other antiarrhythmic drugs as prophylaxis to reduce the occurrence of all types of postoperative arrhythmias in cardiac and non-cardiac surgeries. A comprehensive PubMed query yielded 614 relevant papers, of which 52 clinical trials were analyzed. The data collection included the class of antiarrhythmics, timing or method of drug administration, surgery type, type of arrhythmia and its incidence, and hospitalization length. Statistical analyses focused on prophylactic antiarrhythmics and their respective reductions in postoperative arrhythmias and hospitalization length. Prophylactic amiodarone alone compared to placebo demonstrated a significant reduction in postoperative arrhythmia incidence in cardiac and non-cardiac surgeries (24.01%, p<0.0001), and it was the only treatment group to significantly reduce hospitalization length versus placebo (p = 0.0441). Prophylactic use of class 4 antiarrhythmics versus placebo also demonstrated a significant reduction in postoperative arrhythmia incidence (28.01%, p<0.0001), and while there was no significant statistical reduction compared to amiodarone (4%, p=0.9941), a lack of abundant data provides a case for further research on the prophylactic use of class 4 antiarrhythmics for this indication. Amiodarone prophylaxis remains a prime cornerstone of therapy in reducing postoperative arrhythmia incidence and hospitalization length. Emerging data suggests a need for a broader exploration of alternative antiarrhythmic agents and combination therapies, particularly class 4 antiarrhythmics, in both cardiac and non-cardiac surgeries. This meta-analysis depicts the effectiveness of amiodarone, among other antiarrhythmics, in postoperative arrhythmia incidence and hospitalization length reduction in cardiac and non-cardiac surgeries.
PubMed: 38738095
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57963