Although β-blockers are associated with decreased mortality in patients with CVD, some patients with COPD who received metoprolol in the BLOCK-COPD trial experienced increased risk of exacerbations requiring hospitalization, raising questions about the overall risk and benefit in patients with COPD following acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Researchers assessed the diagnostic accuracy of commonly recommended tests and algorithms for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a severe and potentially life-threatening complication resulting from heparin administration, characterized by a reduction in platelet count and an increased risk of thrombosis.

Aiya Almogaber, PharmD

In March 2024, the International Antiviral Society–USA (IAS-USA) guidelines panel issued a letter to JAMA to provide an updated HIV treatment recommendation for use of long-acting injectable cabotegravir and rilpivirine (CAB-RPV). 

Olivia C. Welter, PharmD

FDA approved seven next-generation gram-negative antibiotics between 2014 and 2019. Yet a study published in the May 2024 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine found that between 2016 and 2021, clinicians in 619 U.S. hospitals treated more than 40% of patients who had highly antibiotic-resistant pathogens exclusively with older, generic agents. Furthermore, most of these older agents had known suboptimal safety and/or efficacy.

Terri D’Arrigo