To measure the hearts response to the stress the patient may be connected to an electrocardiogram (ECG); in this case the test is most commonly called a cardiac stress test but is known by other names, such as exercise testing, stress testing treadmills, exercise tolerance test, stress test or stress test ECG. Alternatively a stress test may use an echocardiogram for ultrasonic imaging of the heart (in which case the test is called an echocardiography stress test or stress echo), or a gamma camera to image radioisotopes injected into the bloodstream (called a nuclear stress test). Stress echocardiography
A stress test may be accompanied by echocardiography. The echocardiography is performed both before and after the exercise so that structural differences can be compared. A resting echocardiogram is obtained prior to stress. The images obtained are similar to the ones obtained during a full surface echocardiogram, commonly referred to as transthoracic echocardiogram. The patient is subjected to stress in the form of exercise or chemically (usually dobutamine). After the target heart rate is achieved, stress echocardiogram images are obtained. The two echocardiogram images are then compared to assess for any abnormalities in wall motion of the heart. This is used to detect obstructive coronary artery disease. Cardiopulmonary exercise test
While also measuring breathing gases (e.g. O2, VO2), the test is often referred to as a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). Common indications for a cardiopulmonary exercise test is:
Evaluation of dyspnea. Work up before heart transplantation. Prognosis and risk assessment of heart failure patients.
Faricimab, sold under the brand name Vabysmo, is a monoclonal antibody used for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Faricimab is the first bispecific monoclonal antibody, to target both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2) inhibitor. By targeting these pathways, faricimab stabilizes blood vessels in the retina. It is given by intravitreal injection (injection into the eye) by an ophthalmologist.Faricimab was developed by Roche. Faricimab was approved for medical use in the United States in January 2022, and in the European Union in September 2022. Medical uses
Faricimab is indicated for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Adverse effects
The most common adverse reaction reported in people receiving faricimab include conjunctival bleeding. Contraindications
Contraindications to injection of faricimab include active infection in or around the eye, active inflammation in the eye (uveitis), and prior allergic reactions to receiving the drug (hypersensitivity). Special populations
Pregnancy
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of faricimab administration in pregnant women. Breast feeding
There is no information regarding faricimab accumulation in breast milk, the effects of the drug on the breastfed infant, or the effects of the drug on milk production. However, the drug company states that many drugs are transferred in human milk with the potential for absorption and adverse reactions in the breastfed child. Fertility
No studies on the effects of faricimab on human fertility have been conducted and it is not known whether faricimab can affect reproduction.