Tag Archives: biomarkers

The virology of COVID-19 The COVID-19 virus shares the majority of its genome with a previously identified bat coronavirus species RaTG13.3,4 In a fashion similar to the SARS coronavirus from 2002/2003, COVID-19 enters the cell when its ‘spike protein’ interacts with the ACE2 protein in host cells, and allows passage into the cell (see figure 1). Though COVID-19 is, on the whole, most identifiable with the bat coronavirus RaTG13, the spike protein on its own is more akin to that seen in coronavirus species seen in the Malayan pangolin.4 The spike protein in the COVID-19 virus was found to have similar (albeit less) binding affinity for th

Introduction Most patients presenting as an emergency with chest pain do not have myocardial infarction (MI),1 which must, nevertheless, be ruled out in order to reassure and discharge from hospital. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-TnT) and troponin I (hs-TnI) have streamlined the assessment and management of chest pain, as a rapid rule out of MI is now possible, particularly if hs-TnT or hs-TnI are undetectable at presentation.2-8 Undetectable troponin cannot, however, be used to exclude unstable angina, which by definition is not associated with a troponin rise.9 It is for this reason that physicians and cardiologists may be reluct

FH initiative Headlining the Congress was the launch of the EAS Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC), a consortium of major FH registries across Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and South America, led by Professor Kausik Ray (Imperial College, London). As shown by the previous EAS Consensus Panel statement, FH is one of the most common inherited conditions, yet it is underdiagnosed and undertreated in almost all countries.1 The FHSC will provide information on key aspects relating to FH care which will be critical in leveraging public policy to improve detection and management. Linking patient and clinician empowerment unde