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AT A TIME WHEN DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS ARE CLIMBING A NEW TREATMENT FOR POSTOPERATIVE PAIN MAY HELP REDUCE THE NEED FOR OPIOIDS AFTER SURGERY

Austin Tang — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 15:50:38 +0000

Listen to “AT A TIME WHEN DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS ARE CLIMBING A NEW TREATMENT FOR POSTOPERATIVE PAIN MAY HELP REDUCE THE NEED FOR OPIOIDS AFTER SURGERY” on Spreaker.

At a time when deaths from drug overdoses are on the rise, there’s a new effort to help keep people from getting hooked on prescription opioids in the first place.
The CDC released data reporting that more than 93,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2020, which is an almost 30 percent increase from 2019.
[In advance of Pain Awareness Month in September] Here now to talk about the role non-opioid options can play in the surgical setting to help prevent opioid addiction before it starts, is orthopedic surgeon from Orthopaedic Associates in Houston, Texas Dr. Alan Rechter (“Rek-ter”).

zynrelef.com (http://zynrelef.com)

As we are approaching Pain Awareness Month in September, it is a time to highlight the issues of postoperative pain and postoperative pain management in the United States. Recent data shows that 67% of patients filled an opioid prescription between 30 days before through 14 days after surgery. In the past, postoperative pain management has been a one-size-fits all approach and there is an urgent need for it to be more individualized.
While patients routinely are searching for a safe and effective way to manage the pain they experience following surgery, many tell doctors they want to avoid the adverse effects that are commonly experienced by those receiving opioids to reduce their pain. The most common adverse effects are dizziness, nausea and constipation. But even more than that, patients want to avoid any risk of misuse and addiction.
Now there’s been a new development; what some surgeons are calling a “game-changer” for postoperative pain. The FDA recently approved a treatment that works on both inflammation and pain at the surgical site for up to 3 days for those who undergo bunion surgery, hernia repair and total knee replacement surgeries. Clinical trials have shown that this new treatment reduces the need for and can eliminate in many patients, potentially addictive opioids. The safety and efficacy of this new treatment has not been established in highly vascular surgeries, such as intrathoracic, large multilevel spinal, and head and neck procedures. The new treatment also contains an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), a type of medicine which:

can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk increases with higher doses and longer use of an NSAID.

cannot be used during heart bypass surgery.

can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, and tears.

Dr. Alan Rechter, an orthopedic surgeon, will be available to discuss the newest method of effectively managing postoperative pain. He will explain why this latest development is such an important step in helping patients who are undergoing a variety of procedures.
Interview Courtesy: Heron Therapeutics

References:

NCHS, National Vital Statistics System. Estimates for 2020 are based on provisional data. Estimates for 2015-2019 are based on final data (available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/mortality_public_use_data.htm (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/mortality_public_use_data.htm)).

Santosa KB, Hu HM, Brummett CM, et al. New Persistent Opioid Use Among Older Patients Following Surgery: A Medicare Claims Analysis. Surgery. 2020;167(4):732-742. doi:10.1016/j.surg.2019.04.016

U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Data presented at June 11-12, 2019 Joint Meeting of the Drug Safety and Risk Management (DSaRM) Advisory Committee and Meeting of the Anesthetic and Analgesic Drug Products Advisory Committee (AADPAC).

ZYNRELEF [Package Insert]. San Diego, CA: Heron Therapeutics Inc.; 2021.

Viscusi E, Gimbel JS, Pollack RA, Hu J, Lee G-C. HTX-011 reduced pain intensity and opioid consumption versus bupivacaine HCl in bunionectomy: phase III results from the randomized EPOCH 1 study. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2019;44(7):700-706. doi:10.1136/rapm-2019-100531.

Viscusi E, Minkowitz H, Winkle P, Ramamoorthy S, Hu J, Singla N. HTX-011 reduced pain intensity and opioid consumption versus bupivacaine HCl in herniorrhaphy: results from the phase 3 EPOCH 2 study. Hernia. 2019;23(6):1071-1080. doi:10.1007/s10029-019-02023-6.

BIO-Alan Rechter, M.D.
Orthopedic Surgeon at Orthopaedic Associates
Dr. Alan Rechter is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and has practiced medicine in Houston since 1995. He joined Orthopaedic Associates in 1999 and has staff privileges at Methodist West & Houston Orthopedic & Spine Hospital in Bellaire. He is a former Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedics at the University of Texas Medical School.
Throughout his career, he received numerous awards. He was recognized by Merck Pharmaceuticals as one of the top ranked medical school graduates during his graduating year. He received a prestigious AO International Fellowship in Germany, which affords focused training in the arts of trauma, hand and joint reconstructive surgery.
Dr. Rechter received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and his medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, NE. Dr. Rechter completed his training in orthopedic surgery at the University of Texas in Houston after being Chief Resident for the 1998-1999 academic year.

ZYNRELEF is approved for use in adults to reduce pain for up to 3 days after removal of bunions, groin hernia repair, and total knee replacement. ZYNRELEF is applied into the wound at the time of surgery.
Important Safety Information
ZYNRELEF contains an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), a type of medicine which:
• can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk increases with higher doses and longer use of an NSAID.
• cannot be used during heart bypass surgery.
• can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, and tears.

ZYNRELEF should also not be used:
• if you are allergic to any components of ZYNRELEF, aspirin or other NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or have had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction after taking any of these medicines.
• as a paracervical block, during childbirth.

The most common side effects of ZYNRELEF are constipation, vomiting, and headache.

The medicines in ZYNRELEF (a local anesthetic and an NSAID) can affect the nervous and cardiovascular system; may cause liver or kidney problems; may reduce the effects of some blood pressure medicines; should be avoided if you have severe heart failure; may cause a rare blood disorder, or life-threatening skin or allergic reactions; may harm your unborn baby if received at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later; and may cause low red blood cells (anemia).
Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions and about all the medicines you take including prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements to discuss if ZYNRELEF is right for you

#alan #rechter #death #overdose #prescription #opioids #cdc #pain #awareness #houston #texas #surgery #zynrelef #heron #therapeutics #fda #medicine #safety #asthma #headache

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Young Friends Of Save Venice Celebration In Houston Funds Venetian Masterworks Restoration-Post

Austin Tang — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 15:58:54 +0000

Young Friends Of Save Venice

Celebration In Houston Funds

Venetian Masterworks Restoration

Lizzie Asher, Counselor Federico Ciattaglia, Skylar Pinchal

Courtesy of Young Friends of Save Venice (Photographer Fulton Davenport)

50th Anniversary Fete Begins ‘50 Celebrations for 50 years’ Worldwide

In celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of Save Venice, the leading American nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the artistic heritage of Venice, commemorative events are being organized worldwide to support important restorations of masterworks of Venetian art and architecture. In place of the annual Un Ballo in Maschera held in New York each year, Save Venice is hosting “50X50,” in a global scale with 50 parties in 50 cities across the globe to toast its accomplishments.

Host and Houston Native, Skylar Pinchal, along with the Young Friends of Save Venice, led by Chair of the Young Friends Steering Committee, Lizzie Asher, held a cocktail party at the Cohen House at Rice University in Houston, TX. Steering committee members, Casey Kohlberg, Christina Senia and Mercedes de Guardiola joined Lizzie and Skylar, as well as Counselor Federico Ciattaglia, Consul General of Italy in Houston, who spoke during the event.

The cocktail party was attended by approximately 70 guests who donned their most festive cocktail attire worthy of a Venetian Palazzo. Lizzie Asher, Consul General Federico Ciattaglia, and host Skylar Pinchal each gave speeches, in which Consul General Federico Ciattaglia remarked, “Houston much like Venice knows about the experience of being ravaged by floods.”

Notable attendees included: Benjamin Sardavi, Ashland Hines Odom, Blake Odom, Peter Herff, Ann Ayre, Brian McCulloch, Lauren Reckling, Gillian Sarofim, Robert McNiel, Claudia Lederer Saenz, Anne Marie Soza, Catherine Montague, Sofia Leon, Christina Reckling, Peyton Easley, Mike Gassman, Grace Easley, Wilson Prioleau, Harris Pritchard, Lanie Markham.

Rice University’s historic Cohen House was transformed into a Venetian palazzo. Elaborate accoutrements for the “Masks & Martinis” evening included vast murals of Venice, oriental carpets, damask-covered furnishings, profusions of candles, and towering candelabras that surrounded guests as they sipped on various themed cocktails. The event was guarded by The Winged Lion of Venice – the iconic bronze statue of the Piazza San Marco of Venice – and guests mingled and showcased their Carnevale themed masks with the backdrop of damask patterned furniture and harlequin patterned tablecloths.

The Young Friends of Save Venice is an energetic group of young professionals who share dual passions for art and preservation in Venice. Initially established in the early 1990s, the group was responsible for sponsoring specific restoration projects and for the growth of what is today known as Un Ballo in Maschera, held annually in New York.

For more information and about Save Venice and 50 Celebrations for 50 years, including how to be involved, please visit www.savevenice.org/50×50.

For more information about Save Venice and to discover the work of the organization, please visit www.savevenice.org.

For hi-res images, visit: https://bit.ly/3gkBlEO

Courtesy of Young Friends of Save Venice (Photographer Fulton Davenport)

PRESS CONTACT (Lizzie Asher):

Norah Lawlor | Lawlor Media Group | www.lawlormediagroup.com

Norah@lawlormediagroup.com | Tel: (212) 967-6900

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Casey Kohlberg, Christina Senia, Counselor Federico Ciattaglia, Lizzie Asher, Skylar Pinchal, Mercedes de Guardiola, Courtesy of Young Friends of Save Venice (Photographer Fulton Davenport)

Christiana Reckling, Elizabeth Carl, Courtesy of Young Friends of Save Venice (Photographer Fulton Davenport)

Lizzie Asher, Courtesy of Young Friends of Save Venice (Photographer Fulton Davenport)

Lauren Reckling, Courtesy of Young Friends of Save Venice (Photographer Fulton Davenport)

Mindy Choate, Lanie Markam, Courtesy of Young Friends of Save Venice (Photographer Fulton Davenport)

Ashland Hines Odom, Courtesy of Young Friends of Save Venice (Photographer Fulton Davenport)

Daniel Harrison, Sophia Smith, Will Beard, Courtesy of Young Friends of Save Venice (Photographer Fulton Davenport)

Mercedes de Guardiola, Casey Kohlberg, Christina Senia, Lizzie Asher, Skylar Pinchal, Courtesy of Young Friends of Save Venice (Photographer Fulton Davenport)

Atmosphere, Courtesy of Young Friends of Save Venice (Photographer Fulton Davenport)

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#media #alert #young #friend #save #venice #celebration #houston #fund #venetian #masterwork #restoration #post #50 #anniversary #worldwide

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A Cure for Covid from a Doctor in Houston, Texas who has saved 350 patients

Austin Tang — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 16:36:32 +0000

April 7, 2020, was the date this article was posted in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Texas has shipped over 550 bottles of hydroxychloroquine to nearly 60 hospitals and pharmacies. Nine hospitals and pharmacies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area have asked the state for the drug, whose effectiveness in treating the novel coronavirus has yet to be determined through robust clinical trials.

Hospital systems in the DFW area confirmed Tuesday that they have already prescribed hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients. The Texas Department of State Health Services has been distributing bottles of the drug since March 30, according to agency data that lists shipments through Monday.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently authorized the emergency use of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients who cannot participate in a clinical trial. However the drug does pose risks, and while clinical trials are underway, its effectiveness in treating COVID-19 is unclear.

President Donald Trump has said when combined with the antibiotic azithromycin, the drug could be “one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine,” and pushed for its immediate use. Officials in the Trump administration, like Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, have said additional studies are still necessary.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that patients in a Texas City nursing home who had tested positive for COVID-19 were being treated with the drug. The Texas Tribune first reported Monday night that DSHS had distributed the drug from a supply of donated tablets from Amneal Pharmaceuticals. Agency spokesman Chris Van Deusen confirmed that in an interview Tuesday.

Diana Brodeur, a spokeswoman for John Peter Smith Hospital, confirmed in an email Tuesday afternoon that the hospital recently received a shipment of the drug, that it’s available in the hospital pharmacy and that it has been prescribed to COVID-19 patients.

“Physicians at JPS have prescribed hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, though it is not appropriate for all COVID patients. It is only one of many drugs that may be prescribed for COVID-19 patients, depending on their clinical severity,” Brodeur wrote.

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