Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Research Roundup: Pneumonia; Vitamin C; Heart Balloons; And More
CIDRAP: Trial: Inhaled Preventive Antibiotic Reduces Risk Of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
The results of a randomized clinical trial conducted in France suggest that preventive inhaled antibiotics can reduce the burden of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill patients. (Dall, 10/25)
CIDRAP: Convalescent Plasma Cuts Death By 10% In COVID Patients On Mechanical Ventilation, Trial Finds
A randomized clinical trial in Belgium finds that convalescent plasma reduces death rates by about 10% in COVID-19 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. (Van Beusekom, 10/25)
CIDRAP: No Evidence IV Vitamin C Aids Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
Intravenous (IV) vitamin C does not reduce the need for life support or all-cause mortality for critically ill COVID-19 patients, according to a study published today in JAMA. (Soucheray, 10/25)
Stat: Heart Balloon From Boston Scientific Shows Lower Heart Attack Risk
A drug-coated balloon made by Boston Scientific reduced the risk of heart attack in patients with complications from stents, researchers reported on Wednesday. Boston Scientific hopes to use this data to win approval from the Food and Drug Administration. The company has not yet published its full slate of data in a journal. (Lawrence, 10/25)
ScienceDaily: Defect In Fruit Fly Respiratory System May Provide Insights Into Human Aortic Aneurysms
A team of researchers has gained new insights into the respiratory system of fruit flies -- the so-called tracheal system -- which could be important for future research into aneurysms. Scientists carried out genetic, cell biological and biochemical studies on Drosophila embryos. They found that the cells in the fruit fly's tracheal system are connected to the extracellular matrix by the proteins Dumpy and Piopio. (Universitat Leipzig, 10/25)
Stat: Diversifying Clinical Trials Isn't Enough To Close Racial Gaps: Study
Participation in a clinical trial is often considered something of an equalizer in medicine. Researchers have pushed for better access to trials for historically disadvantaged populations, hoping that increasing diversity in trials will both advance medicine and also help close health disparities by providing more equitable access to high-quality care. (Chen, 10/25)
