Health Alert

• 

  COVID-19 vaccination linked to less mechanical ventilation

  
  

  New evidence reveals that immunization of people 70 and older with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in Israel was associated with a precipitous drop in need for mechanical ventilation.

• 

  Original ArticleOpen Access

  Survival to Hospital Discharge Rate and Factors Affecting Survival Rate of Adult Patients Under Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA ECMO) Treatment in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital

  Jantraprapavech K, Sirinawin C, Srimahachota S

  The survival rate of patients cannulating VA ECMO was 24.69%. The lower value of ABG PaCO₂ and lactate are significant factors that lead to higher survival rate. These findings lead to recommendations that, for an effective VA ECMO treatment, patients should not be at a severe sickness state, whose ABG PaCO₂ and lactate level should be at low levels.

• 

  Original ArticleOpen Access

  Risk Factors Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy and Thalassemia Prevalence Survey in Diabetes Mellitus Patients at Six Primary Care Units of Naresuan University Hospital: A Cross-sectional Study

  Chira-adisai T, Khotacharrat R, Luangsawanf K

  The present study showed that HbA1c and emotional stress might have played important role in association with DR development. Thalassemia minor and intermedia seemed not to associate with HbA1c measurement.

• 

  Original ArticleOpen Access

  The New FA₂ST Stroke Screening Score: An Expanding Recognition to Posterior Circulation Stroke

  Phuenpathom W, Chutinet A, Tantipong P, Eiamthanasinchai S, Suwanwela NC

  The present study introduces the new FA₂ST stroke screening score and emphasizes the importance of posterior circulation stroke detection in acute stroke screening. Future studies should be considered before implementation of this score.

• 

  Original ArticleOpen Access

  High-Flow Nasal Cannula for Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure Treated in a General Medical Ward: A Prospective Cohort Study

  Rittayamai N, Chuariyakul P, Promlee N, Chailard P, Chierakul N, Brochard L

  The use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in subjects with acute respiratory failure in general medical wards is feasible. A higher respiratory rate at day 1 is associated with a higher risk of failure of HFNC. Appropriate patient selection and monitoring are needed to the success of HFNC.

• 

  Original ArticleOpen Access

  The Efficacy and Safety of Andrographis paniculata Extract for the Treatment of Acute Nonspecific Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: A Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Trial

  Leelarasamee A, Suankratay C, Hunnangkul S, Udompunturak S, Krittayaphong R, Poonsrisawat J, Wongsakorn N, Ittipanitphong C, Sirimai S, Prakairoongthong P, Rattanamaneekorn S, Chaicharoenpong K

  The investigators were unable to demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of A. paniculata (Burn.f.) Wall. ex Nees in the treatment of acute NS-URI over the placebo effect. The adverse drug reactions were almost similar in both groups. Further study to show the effectiveness or efficacy in the treatment of acute NS-URI may not be worthwhile, unless the study design is modified to compare the speedy recovery of each symptom of acute NS-URI or the daily eradication rates of the respiratory viruses.