COVID-19 Clinical Trials and Expanded Access

The phase II clinical trial, with three arms and at rate of 10 patients per arm, received the approval of the National Committee for Ethics and Health Research. This is a non inferiority test aimed to compare the efficacy and safety in add on to Azithromycin, an antimalarial drug, a treatment combination of the antimalrial drug with an antiviral phytomedicine versus Hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 patients without complications. During the treatment, viral clearance, adverse effects related to treatment, and symptoms progression will be assessed on days 3, 6 and 14. Clinical, paraclinical and laboratory tests will be performed throughout the 3-month trial. Ethical and deontological considerations will be applied.

A randomized clinical trial designed and intended to evaluate the efficacy of Dexamethasone and Methylprednisolone as a treatment for severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) caused by coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Our aim is to find the best option for the treatment and management of ARDS in COVID-19 patients.

The investigators decided to conduct a longitudinal study that compares the pulmonary tomographic patterns found in patients with viral pneumonia (i.e. influenza H1N1 and SARS-CoV-2) at a regional hospital. The primary aim of this study is to compare the radiological patterns found in patients with COVID-19 and influenza H1N1. The secondary aims of this study will assess the association between the radiological CT pattern and the need for invasive mechanical ventilation and mortality within the first 28 days of intensive care unit admission.

With the appearance of the new SARS-COV2 virus, additional challenges are being imposed on the medical community after the resolution of acute COVID-19 illness, resulting in specific pathophysiologic mechanisms that while acutely damage the lung parenchyma might chronically impact the cardiopulmonary system. This study aims to investigate changes after mild COVID-19 illness in echocardiographic indices at rest and stress.

COVID-19 Infection was characterized as a Pandemic by WHO on the 11th of March 2020.1 After this there were all possible worldwide efforts to increase awareness in the general population about the COVID-19 Infection signs, symptoms, mode of transmission and prevention. The information was spread across all possible mass media communication channels. There were constant updates regarding the data of newly infected cases, deaths, and recoveries. This cross sectional study is conducted with the following objectives: 1. To understand the netizens perception regarding the sources of information available on COVID-19. 2. To understand the netizens populations perception regarding the available information on COVID-19.

The investigators decided to conduct a longitudinal study that compares the pulmonary tomographic patterns found in patients with viral pneumonia (i.e. influenza H1N1 and SARS-CoV-2) at a regional hospital. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the association between the radiological CT pattern and the need for invasive mechanical ventilation. A secondary aim is to assess the mortality within the first 28 days of intensive care unit admission.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of the prognosis of co-morbidities, such as coronary artery disease, which significantly increase the risk of mortality in patients infected with SARS-CoV2. Investigators have recently studied the complex links between respiratory infections, particularly pneumonia, and type 2 myocardial infarction (MI) in many respects. The etiology of type 2 MI is based on an imbalance of myocardial oxygen supply/need in the absence of rupture/erosion of atheromatous plaques. Based on the RICO survey data, the investigators investigated whether COVID-19-related sepsis and/or respiratory failure could be an underlying mechanism of MI2.

A crisis situation leads to changes in life. During December 2019, many people contracted pneumonia in the Chinese city of Wuhan. On January 7, 2020, the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) was identified as the cause of this disease. Within five months, the virus spread around the globe and forced countries to restrict public life. Due to the high infection rates in Europe, a lockdown followed between March and April 2020 (except in Sweden). As the number of infections decreased, European countries began to gradually relax the lockdown from May 2020. The lockdown and the later stages of loosening have an impact on lifestyle. Institutions of higher education must also adapt to this situation and have switched to distance learning. The University of Applied Sciences of Bern (BFH), Department of Health Professions with the Departments (DHP) of Nutrition and Dietetics and Physiotherapy, considers the question of the degree to which nutritional and exercise behavior has changed. The findings provide recommendations for future crises for students and employees of the BFH-DHP. In order to achieve this, at the BFH-DHP two anonymous online surveys will be conducted.

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) is widely used as a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure in intensive care units. Patients with ARDS or COVID-19 disease often undergoes to these procedures. However, intensive care patients might suffer from serious side effects such as prolonged oxygen desaturation and adverse change in lung compliance and resistance. This study aims to evaluate these changes and determine their impact on patient stability.

Communication with patients on their clinical status is important in delivering care in the emergency department. During times of high volume or complex patients, there may be lapses in communicating with patients about their hospital course or plans of action. These miscommunications may be enhanced during the current COVID-19 pandemic as there is minimized in-person interaction with patients in order to conserve personal protective equipment and decrease the risk of disease transmission. This study utilizes a virtual white board to deliver updates to patients about the status of their emergency department stay.