Mayo Clinic Health Matters

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COVID-19 trials pause over safety concerns Oct 21, 2020

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The race to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments continues, with multiple clinical trials now in the final stages of testing. While the research is moving rapidly, it’s not without challenges. Two different trials were paused recently over potential safety concerns.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, discusses current COVID-19 clinical trials. Dr. Poland also covers the possibility of reinfection with COVID-19, and the importance of getting a flu vaccination to protect yourself from influenza during the pandemic.
Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland.

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Clinical trial for ductal carcinoma in situ vaccine Oct 20, 2020

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Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is an early form of a non-invasive breast cancer that begins as abnormal cells inside the milk ducts in the breast. It typically doesn't show signs or symptoms and it's estimated that up to 40% of cases eventually become invasive if not treated.

The current standard treatment is to perform a lumpectomy or a mastectomy in more extreme cases. Clinical trials are underway to determine if some patients with ductal carcinoma in situ might be able to avoid surgery.

"In addition to considering proton therapy to target the cancer, Mayo Clinic is conducting a clinical trial that involves a vaccine that could boost immunity against the HER2 receptor," says Dr. Amy Degnim, a surgeon with the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center. "HER2 is a protein that in some cases is on the outside of cancer cells and for women with ductal carcinoma in situ, these receptors are present in about 50% to 60% of the cases."

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast Dr. Degnim, and one of her patients, Helen Gagoud, discuss receiving a ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosis and determining treatment, as well as the hopeful vaccine research at Mayo Clinic.

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US coronavirus map — what do the trends mean for you? Oct 19, 2020

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As cases of COVID-19 rise in many areas of the U.S., it's important for people to have up-to-date information to protect themselves and their loved ones. Mayo Clinic has a tracking tool that features the latest COVID-19 data for every county in all 50 states, and Washington, D.C. The tool also features Mayo Clinic insight on how to assess risk and plan accordingly.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Henry Ting, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist and health services researcher, discusses the COVID-19 tracking tool and other COVID-19 resources available from Mayo Clinic.

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Mixed reality — where virtual reality and real life meet in the operating room Oct 18, 2020

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Mayo Clinic recently performed the first-ever shoulder arthroplasty procedure that used mixed reality technology in the United States. This technology provides surgeons with a 3D holographic view of the patient's preoperative plan, allowing the surgeon to visualize, rotate and interact with a surgical plan during the procedure.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Joaquin Sanchez-Sotelo, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, explains how mixed reality technology helps put the surgical plan into action.

Dr. Sanchez-Sotelo and Mayo Clinic have a financial interest in Wright Medical Group N.V., which developed the mixed reality technology.

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COVID Activity Rehabilitation Program Oct 17, 2020

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After COVID-19 patients have recovered from the infection, some continue to have lingering effects from the disease, known as post-COVID syndrome. To help these patients, Mayo Clinic has launched the COVID-19 Activity Rehabilitation Program. This program takes a multidisciplinary approach, including specialists in occupational medicine, pulmonary medicine, psychiatry and infectious diseases to treat persistent symptoms and help patients return to daily activities and work.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn, a Mayo Clinic preventive, occupational and aerospace medicine specialist who leads the program, discusses the symptoms of post-COVID syndrome and explains how the COVID-19 Activity Rehabilitation Program helps people return to normal activity.

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COVID-19 lung damage could lead to a transplant Oct 16, 2020

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Severe lung damage has been a serious outcome for COVID-19 patients who survive and face recovery from the disease.

"As we know, lungs are one of the major organs that are involved with COVID infection," says Dr. Sadia Shah, a Mayo Clinic transplant pulmonologist and critical care physician. "In severe cases, the patient's lungs can be significantly inflamed from the disease, leading to pneumonia and scarring of the lungs, also known as pulmonary fibrosis." She says that, in the future, these are the patients who may need a lung transplant.

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Shah talks about COVID-19 lung damage, the speculation there will be an increased need for lung transplants, and what improvements are being made in the field of lung transplantation.

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Proper training can reduce the risk of ACL injury Oct 15, 2020

Show notes

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the key ligaments that help stabilize the knee joint. The ACL connects your thighbone, or femur, to your shinbone, or tibia. It's most commonly torn during sports that involve sudden stops and changes in direction, such as basketball, soccer, tennis and volleyball.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Matthew Crowe, an orthopedic surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Florida, discusses ACL injury treatment options, including surgery and how proper training can reduce the risk of ACL injury.

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FDA sets stricter standards for COVID-19 vaccine development Oct 14, 2020

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In an effort to reassure the public about the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine, the Food and Drug Administration has set stricter standardsfor COVID-19 vaccine development. These standards include following phase 3 clinical trial participants for at least two months, and having at least five severe COVID-19 cases in the placebo group. The agency's requirements are designed to ensure that there is adequate safety data on any vaccine before it is authorized for emergency use.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, discusses vaccine development standards and shares concerns about the second wave of COVID-19 infections.
Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland.

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Increased alcohol use during the pandemic Oct 12, 2020

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According to an article in the journal JAMA Network Open, American adults report they are drinking 14% more often during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the research didn't determine why drinking frequency has increased, health experts worry that people are turning to alcohol to cope with the stress, anxiety, and isolation caused by the pandemic.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Victor Karpyak, a Mayo Clinic psychiatrist and addiction researcher, discusses alcohol use and the warning signs that drinking may be a problem.

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Kids and sports during COVID-19 Oct 11, 2020

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Children benefit from social interaction, and participating in sports activities is one way to spend time with peers. It's a chance to exercise and learn socialization skills.

"But most sports require close contact, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, this is creating a dilemma," says Dr. David Soma, a Mayo Clinic pediatrician.

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Soma discusses risks and benefits of youth sports during the pandemic and offers suggestions to minimize the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

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