Vaccines/ Re-Run

12/17/24 • 19 min

The first human vaccines against viruses were based using weaker or attenuated viruses to generate immunity. The smallpox vaccine used cowpox, a poxvirus that was similar enough to smallpox to protect against it but usually didn’t cause serious illness. Rabies was the first virus attenuated in a lab to create a vaccine for humans.

Vaccines are made using several different processes. They may contain live viruses that have been attenuated (weakened or altered so as not to cause illness); inactivated or killed organisms or viruses; inactivated toxins (for bacterial diseases where toxins generated by the bacteria, and not the bacteria themselves, cause illness); or merely segments of the pathogen (this includes both subunit and conjugate vaccines).

Previous Episode

Ablation or Meds for AFIB

This week we will discuss possible treatment methods for AFIB.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common type of irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that occurs when the upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat chaotically and out of sync with the lower chambers (ventricles). This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including:

Palpitations (a feeling of a racing or irregular heartbeat)
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Chest discomfort

AFib can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.

Treatment Options for AFib

Management of AFib focuses on controlling the heart rate and rhythm, preventing blood clots, and addressing underlying conditions contributing to the arrhythmia. The choice of treatment depends on the individual's symptoms, overall health, and risk factors.

1. Medications

Medications are often the first line of treatment for AFib. These include:

Rate-Control Medications
- Aim to slow the heart rate to a normal range.
- Common drugs: Beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol), calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem, verapamil), and digoxin.
Rhythm-Control Medications
- Help restore and maintain a normal heart rhythm.
- Common drugs: Antiarrhythmics like amiodarone, flecainide, or sotalol.
Anticoagulants (Blood Thinners)
- Reduce the risk of stroke by preventing blood clots.
- Examples: Warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) like apixaban (Eliquis) or rivaroxaban (Xarelto).

2. Ablation Therapy

Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure aimed at correcting the electrical signals causing AFib. It is typically recommended for individuals who:

Do not respond to or cannot tolerate medications.
Have recurrent or persistent AFib that significantly impacts quality of life.

Types of ablation:

Catheter Ablation
- Uses thin tubes (catheters) inserted into blood vessels to deliver energy (radiofrequency or cryotherapy) to destroy small areas of heart tissue causing abnormal electrical signals.
Surgical Ablation (Maze Procedure)
- Often performed during open-heart surgery for other conditions, creating scar tissue to block abnormal signals.

Both options have high success rates, but catheter ablation is more commonly performed due to its minimally invasive nature.

Choosing the Right Treatment

Deciding between medications or ablation depends on factors such as:

The severity and frequency of symptoms.
The presence of other medical conditions.
Patient preference and lifestyle.

Consultation with a cardiologist or electrophysiologist is crucial to tailor treatment to the individual’s needs.

Next Episode

Abdominal Adhesions

This week we discuss Abdominal adhesions. These are bands of scar tissue that form between abdominal tissues and organs. Like the name suggests, the tissue can cause your organs to “adhere,” or stick together. Adhesions commonly form after abdominal surgery. Typically, you don’t need treatment unless they cause a complication, like a small bowel obstruction.

Abdominal adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form between the organs in your belly and pelvis. Mainly, they form between loops of your small intestine. They can also form between an organ and the wall of your abdominal cavity.

Your abdominal cavity contains your:

Digestive system, including your stomach and intestines.
Female reproductive organs.
Kidneys and adrenal glands.
Liver.
Pancreas.
Spleen.

Adhesions occur when there’s injury or inflammation in your abdomen. They can even form from normal handling during surgery. In fact, they’re most common after abdominal surgery. As a natural part of healing, scar tissue forms that can cause tissues to stiffen and stick together (“adhere”).

How common are abdominal adhesions?

Abdominal adhesions are the most common consequence of having surgery on your abdomen. The majority of people develop adhesions after abdominal surgery. But most people don’t need treatment unless they’re experiencing symptoms.

Adhesions are also the most common cause of a small bowel obstruction. A bowel obstruction is a medical emergency that involves complete or partial blockage in your intestines.

(credits Cleveland Clinic)