Search St Emlyn’s

A November 2020 appraisal of the PLACID convalescent plasma trial in moderately unwell hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in India. It explores the lack of demonstrated clinical benefit, variation in usual care and antibody levels, and why larger trials were still needed.

Dan Horner revisits the evidence on venous thromboembolism in COVID-19 as it stood in October 2020. The review examines how screening and case selection affect reported clot rates, the distinction between different thrombotic findings, and uncertainty around risk prediction and higher-dose anticoagulation.

An October 2020 appraisal of RECOVERY's hydroxychloroquine results in hospitalised patients with COVID-19. It reviews the lack of demonstrated benefit, concerns about harm and the arguments about timing and dosage, alongside an explanation of how the platform trial was organised.

A September 2020 appraisal of the ISARIC 4C mortality score for hospitalised patients with COVID-19. It explains model development and internal validation, then examines methodological concerns, access to required tests and the limits of applying a UK inpatient score in other settings.

A selection of COVID-19 papers reviewed for emergency clinicians in August 2020. The Leicester team examines aerosol transmission, CPAP, surgical and cardiac complications, thromboprophylaxis, staff mental health and frailty, distinguishing early signals and expert consensus from stronger evidence.

An August 2020 appraisal of hydroxychloroquine after household or occupational exposure to COVID-19. It examines a placebo-controlled trial's lack of a clear benefit, adverse effects and the uncertainty introduced by remote recruitment and outcomes based largely on self-reported symptoms.

Roberto Cosentini returns to reflect on staff wellbeing after the first COVID-19 surge in Bergamo. This July 2020 conversation explores routines, relationships, interests outside medicine and sharing experiences, drawing on his personal response to an exceptionally difficult period.

A June 2020 appraisal of the RECOVERY dexamethasone preprint in hospitalised patients with COVID-19. The review examines mortality findings in patients receiving oxygen or ventilation, recruitment and generalisability, and the difficulties of assessing important research first announced through a press release.

Ten COVID-19 papers selected for emergency clinicians in June 2020. The team reviews paediatric inflammatory illness, testing, vaccine planning, staff wellbeing and the pandemic's wider health effects, explaining where early studies and commentary leave important uncertainties.

The reading list for the 18 June 2020 COVID-19 journal club with Katrin Hruska. Topics include lung ultrasound, paediatric inflammatory illness, bystander CPR and health inequalities, alongside the first RECOVERY announcement and the implications of recent research retractions.