Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/LdtmtKWujfc   The viral RNA, polymerase blocker remdesivir drives better oxygenation for two-thirds of patients with life-threatening CoVid19 infections.  The drug improves survival of ventilator-dependent patients by anywhere from 40 to 84%   A global collaborative study, led by researchers at LA’s Cedar-Sinai Hospital, followed 53 patients though to completion of a 10 day iv remdesivir course at the outset of a 4 week observation period.  The drug permitted 57% of those on ventilators to be extubated and 75% of those on ECMO to come off it.  Overall, 84% of patients improved on the drug.   This preliminary study provides hope that severe CoVid19 disease may be managed to a successful outcome.   https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2007016?query=C19&cid=DM89880_NEJM_COVID-19_Newsletter&bid=181982010   #covid19 #coronavirus #remdesivir