Before the fuller tocilizumab trial reports, Dan Horner examined the conflicting evidence available in December 2020. This appraisal considers biological plausibility, early REMAP-CAP announcements, adverse effects and the difficulty of discussing an experimental treatment when media coverage runs ahead of the data.
Tocilizumaybe? Immune modulation in COVID-19 Read More
Simon Carley and Rick Body discuss the strengths and limitations of COVID-19 testing in December 2020. The episode and accompanying links explore PCR, LAMP, rapid testing and lateral flow tests, alongside the FALCON/CONDOR programme evaluating new diagnostics.
Understanding COVID-19 testing with Rick Body. St Emlyn’s Read More
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.
JC: Convalescent plasma in COVID 19 patients. Read More
Can TEG or ROTEM improve outcomes when added to major haemorrhage care? Natalie May reviews the iTACTIC trial’s comparison with conventional coagulation testing, separating faster treatment decisions from demonstrated patient benefit and examining the limits of its size and subgroup findings.
JC: Blood Products in Trauma – What’s the Best (I)TACTIC? Read More
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.
VTE and COVID-19: Would you like to know more? Read More
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.
JC: Hydroxychloroquine in the the treatment of hospitalised COVID19 patients. Read More
A September 2020 appraisal of REMAP-CAP’s hydrocortisone results in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Dan Horner and Simon Carley explain adaptive trials, Bayesian analysis and organ support outcomes, weighing the findings against early stopping, treatment crossover and the wider corticosteroid evidence.
The ‘Roid’ to Recovery? REMAP-CAP @ St Emlyn’s Read More
Does combining vitamin C, hydrocortisone and thiamine improve outcomes in septic shock? This 2020 appraisal of ACTS examines its organ dysfunction endpoint, the lack of a demonstrated benefit and how patient selection and treatment in the control group affect interpretation.
