0
selected
-
1.
Convalescent Plasma Therapy for COVID-19 in Ambulatory vs Hospitalized Patients: Efficacy and Risk of Thromboembolism
Li PY, Yu P, Li A, Khalid F, Laureano ML, Crowther MA
Research and practice in thrombosis and haemostasis. 2023;:100068
Abstract
BACKGROUND While early evidence concluded a lack of clinical benefit of convalescent plasma therapy (CPT) in COVID-19 management, recent trials demonstrate the therapeutic potential of CPT in ambulatory care. CPT may also potentiate thromboembolic events given the presence of coagulation factors and the prothrombotic state of COVID-19. OBJECTIVE The present study aims to assess and compare the clinical efficacy and the risk of venous/arterial thromboembolism (VTE, ATE) of CPT in ambulatory vs hospitalized COVID-19 patients. METHODS MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched from December 2019 to December 2022 for randomized controlled trials that investigated the use of CPT against placebo or standard of care in adult COVID-19 patients. The primary outcome was non-mortality disease progression. Secondary outcomes include VTE, ATE, 28-day mortality, clinical improvement, length of hospitalization (LOH), sepsis/fever, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). RESULTS Twenty randomized controlled trials, with 21340 patients, were included. CPT significantly reduced non-mortality disease progression in ambulatory patients (OR 0.72, 0.56-0.92, P = 0.009) but not in hospitalized patients (1.03, 0.94-1.12, P = 0.58). The risk of VTE and ATE did not differ between the CPT and the control group (1.15, 0.81 to 1.64, P = 0.44; 1.01, 0.37 to 2.79, P = 0.98). No conclusive differences between CPT and control were noted in 28-day mortality, clinical improvement, LOH, risk of sepsis/fever, and MACE. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, treatment of COVID-19 with CPT prevents the progression of COVID-19 in the ambulatory care. It is not associated with an increased risk of VTE, ATE, or other adverse events.
-
2.
Iron chelation therapy in patients with low- to intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Yang S, Zhang MC, Leong R, Mbuagbaw L, Crowther M, Li A
British journal of haematology. 2021
-
-
-
Editor's Choice
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (12 studies, n= 3,396).
Intervention
Iron chelation therapy (ICT).
Comparison
No iron chelation therapy.
Outcome
Nine studies reported a consistently longer median overall survival on patients receiving ICT compared to those not receiving iron chelation therapy. Meta-analysis of observational studies showed that ICT was associated with an overall lower risk of mortality. Five studies indicated decreased risk while two indicated increased risk of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) progression with ICT. Two studies showed a smaller percentage of deaths caused by AML progression, while three studies showed a larger percentage with ICT. In five studies, ICT decreased risk of cardiac injury.
-
3.
The efficacy and safety of thrombopoietin receptor agonists in patients with chronic liver disease undergoing elective procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Lindquist I, Olson SR, Li A, Al-Samkari H, Jou JH, McCarty OJT, Shatzel JJ
Platelets. 2021;:1-7
Abstract
Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) can mitigate preprocedural thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) however their effects on procedural outcomes is unclear. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to better define the efficacy, thrombotic risk and bleeding mitigation associated with the use of preoperative TPO-RAs in patients with CLD. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials to assess the use of preprocedural TPO-RAs in patients with CLD, searching MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane library database. Six publications comprising eight randomized trials (1229 patients; 717 received TPO-RAs, 512 received placebo) and three unique TPO-RAs were retrieved. The majority of the included procedures were endoscopic. TPO-RAs were significantly more likely to result in a preoperative platelet count greater than 50 x 10(9)/L (72.1% vs 15.6%, RR 4.8, 95% CI 3.6-6.4 p < .00001. NNT 1.8) and reduced the incidence of platelet transfusions (22.5% vs 67.8%, RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.3-0.4 p < .00001. NNT 2.2). Total periprocedural bleeding was decreased in patients who received TPO-RAs (11.6% vs 15.6%, RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.5-0.9 p = .01. NNT 24.7) and there was no increase in the rate of thrombosis (2.2% vs 1.8% RR 1.25, 95% CI 0.6-2.9 p = .60. NNH 211.1). In patients with CLD the use of preprocedural TPO-RAs resulted in significant increased platelet counts, and decreased the incidence of platelet transfusions as compared to placebo. TPO use likewise decreased the incidence of total periprocedural bleeding without increasing the rate of thrombosis.
-
4.
Does tourniquet use affect the periprosthetic bone cement penetration in total knee arthroplasty? A meta-analysis
Lu C, Song M, Chen J, Li C, Lin W, Ye G, Wu G, Li A, Cai Y, Wu H, et al
Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research. 2020;15(1):602
Abstract
BACKGROUND A tourniquet is a device commonly used to control massive hemorrhage during knee replacement surgery. However, the question remains whether the use of tourniquets affects the permeability of the bone cement around the knee prosthesis. Moreover, the long-term effects and stability of the knee prosthesis are still debatable. The aim of this study was to examine whether the use of a tourniquet increases the thickness of the cement mantle and affects the postoperative blood loss and pain during primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using meta-analysis. METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Library, MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, CNKI, and Wang Fang databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on primary TKA, from inception to November 2019. All RCTs in primary TKA with and without a tourniquet were included. The meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.2 software. RESULTS A total of eight RCTs (677 knees) were analyzed. We found no significant difference in the age and sex of the patients. The results showed that the application of tourniquet affects the thickness of the bone cement around the tibial prosthesis (WMD = 0.16, 95%CI = 0.11 to 0.21, p < 0.00001). However, in our study, there was no significant difference in postoperative blood loss between the two groups was observed (WMD = 12.07, 95%CI = - 78.63 to 102.77, p = 0.79). The use of an intraoperative tourniquet can increase the intensity of postoperative pain (WMD = 1.34, 95%, CI = 0.32 to 2.36, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Tourniquet application increases the thickness of the bone cement around the prosthesis and may thus increase the stability and durability of the prosthesis after TKA. The application of an intraoperative tourniquet can increase the intensity of postoperative pain.
-
5.
Additive effectiveness of autologous platelet-rich fibrin in the treatment of intrabony defects: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis
Li A, Yang H, Zhang J, Chen S, Wang H, Gao Y
Medicine. 2019;98(11):e14759
Abstract
BACKGROUND This meta-analysis was performed to determine the additive effectiveness of autologous platelet-rich fibrin in the treatment of intrabony defects in chronic periodontitis patients. METHODS Pertinent studies were identified by a search in Medline, EMBASE, the Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. The trials searched were evaluated for eligibility. Cochrane Collaboration's Review Manager software was used to perform the meta-analyses. RESULTS Twelve eligible clinical trials were included. Pooled data found that adjunctive platelet-rich fibrin exactly yielded a significantly superior probing depth reduction compared with open flap debridement alone (weighted mean difference, 1.01; 95% confidence interval 0.95-1.08; P < .00001). The clinical attachment level (CAL) gain after treatment for 9 months was higher in patients treated with platelet-rich fibrin plus open flap debridement group than in open flap debridement-treated patients (weighted mean difference, 1.29; 95% confidence interval 0.96- 1.61; P < .00001). Similarly, the meta-analysis demonstrated that platelet-rich fibrin was superior to single open flap debridement with respect to gingival marginal level change (weighted mean difference, 0.45; 95% confidence interval 0.31-0.58; P < .00001). Regarding the hard tissue radiographic parameters, including defect depth reduction and percentage of fill defects in bone, adjunctive platelet-rich fibrin yielded significantly superior results compared with open flap debridement alone. CONCLUSION Adjunctive use of platelet-rich fibrin with open flap debridement significantly improves fill defects when compared to open flap debridement alone. However, additional powered studies with much larger sample sizes are needed to obtain a more concrete conclusion.
-
6.
Platelet-rich plasma vs corticosteroids for elbow epicondylitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Li A, Wang H, Yu Z, Zhang G, Feng S, Liu L, Gao Y
Medicine. 2019;98(51):e18358
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) vs corticosteroids for treatment of patients with lateral elbow epicondylitis. METHODS A literature search was performed in EMBASE, Medline, the Cochrane Library and PubMed. Randomized controlled studies comparing PRP with corticosteroids for the treatment of epicondylitis were included. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included trials. The Cochrane Collaboration's Review Manager software was used to perform the meta-analyses. The overall effect size of each anesthetic was calculated as the weighted average of the inverse variance of the study-specific estimates. RESULTS Seven randomized controlled trials were included in this review. The data from 2 studies were unavailable for meta-analysis, and the systematic review criteria were just achieved. Local corticosteroid injection yielded a significantly superior Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score at 4 weeks (WMD, 11.90; 95% CI: 7.72 to 16.08; P < .00001; heterogeneity, chi = 0, I = 0%, P = 1.00) and 8 weeks (WMD, 6.29; 95% CI: 2.98 to 9.60; P = .0002, chi = 0, I = 0%, P = 1.00). Otherwise, it was noteworthy that a significantly lower VAS score (WMD, -2.61; 95% CI: -5.18 to -0.04; P = .05; heterogeneity, chi = 29.85, I = 97%, P < .00001) and DASH score (WMD, -7.73; 95% CI: -9.99 to -5.46; P < .00001, chi = 0.20, I = 0%, P = .66) existed in the PRP regimen than in the steroid regimen at the 24-week follow-up. More effective treatments were achieved in the PRP-treated patients than in the patients treated with corticosteroids (WMD, 3.33; 95% CI: 1.81 to 6.14; P = .000; heterogeneity, chi = 0.43, I = 0%, P = .51). CONCLUSIONS Local corticosteroid injections demonstrated favorable outcomes compared with those of local PRP treatments for lateral elbow epicondylitis during the short-term follow-up period (4 weeks and 8 weeks post-treatment). Otherwise, at the long-term follow-up (24 weeks post-treatment), PRP injections had improved pain and function more effectively than corticosteroid injections.
-
7.
Missing expectations: Windlass tourniquet use without formal training yields poor results
Dennis A, Bajani F, Schlanser V, Tatebe LC, Impens A, Ivkovic K, Li A, Pickett T, Butler C, Kaminsky M, et al
The journal of trauma and acute care surgery. 2019
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite significant attempts to educate civilians in hemorrhage control, the majority remain untrained. We sought to determine if laypersons can successfully apply one of three commercially available tourniquets; including those endorsed by the United States Military and the American College of Surgeons. METHODS Pre-clinical graduate health science students were randomly assigned a commercially-available windless tourniquet: SAM(R) XT, Combat Application Tourniquet(R) (CAT), or Special Operation Forces(R) Tactical Tourniquet (SOFT-T). Each was given up to one minute to read package instructions and asked to apply it to the HapMed(R) Leg Tourniquet Trainer. Estimated blood loss was measured until successful hemostatic pressure was achieved or simulated death occurred from exsanguination. Simulation survival, time to read instructions and stop bleeding, tourniquet pressure, and blood loss were analyzed. RESULTS Of the 150 students recruited, 55, 46, and 49 were randomized to the SAM XT, CAT, SOFT-T, respectively. Mean overall simulation survival was less than 66% (61%, 72%, 65%; p=0.55). Of survivors, all three tourniquets performed similarly in median pressure applied (319 mmHg, 315 mmHg, and 329 mmHg; p=0.54) and median time to stop bleeding (91 sec, 70 sec, 77 sec; p=0.28). There was a statistical difference in median blood loss volume favoring SOFT-T (SAM XT 686 ml, CAT 624 ml, SOFT-T 433 ml; p=0.03). All 16 participants with previous experience were able to successfully place the tourniquet compared to 81 of 131 (62%) first-time users (p=0.008). CONCLUSION No one should die of extremity hemorrhage, and civilians are our first line of defense. We demonstrate that when an untrained layperson is handed a commonly accepted tourniquet, failure is unacceptably high. Current devices are not intuitive and require training beyond the enclosed instructions. Plans to further evaluate this cohort after formal "Stop the Bleed" training are underway. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level II; Therapeutic study type.