Abstract

OBJECTIVE Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a preventable condition and the main cause of maternal death worldwide. Evidence on the effectiveness of misoprostol in the prevention of PPH has been generated from both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized studies (NRS). This study aimed to compare the results of RCTs and NRS, and to compare Classical and Bayesian approaches of combining the results of RCTs and NRS on the use of misoprostol versus placebo in the prevention of PPH. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for appropriate studies. We pooled estimates of effects from RCTs and NRS seperately, using random-effects models, then merged them using classical and Bayesian random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS A total of 34 studies (20 RCTs and 14 NRS) involving 74 204 participants were identified. The summary odds ratio (OR) from RCTs for the use of misoprostol in the prevention of PPH was 0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59 to 0.80). The summary OR from NRS was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.36 to 0.63). Classical and Bayesian approaches of combining the two study designs both showed benefit of misoprostol in preventing PPH, with similar effects. CONCLUSIONS Both RCTs and NRS show comparable significant benefit for the use of misoprostol in the prevention of PPH.

Abstract

Risk assessment models (RAMs) for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding in hospitalized medical patients inform appropriate use of thromboprophylaxis. Our aim was to use a novel approach for selecting risk factors for VTE and bleeding to be included in RAMs. First, we used the results of a systematic review of all candidate factors. Second, we used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to assess the certainty of the evidence for the identified factors. Third, we using a structured approach to select factors to develop the RAMs, by building on clinical and methodological expertise. The expert panel made judgments on whether to include, potentially include, or exclude risk factors, according to domains of the GRADE approach and the Delphi method. The VTE RAM included age >60 years, previous VTE, acute infections, immobility, acute paresis, active malignancy, critical illness, and known thrombophilia. The bleeding RAM included age >=65 years, renal failure, thrombocytopenia, active gastroduodenal ulcers, hepatic disease, recent bleeding, and critical illness. We identified acute infection as a factor that was not considered in widely used RAMs. Also, we identified factors that require further research to confirm or refute their importance in a VTE RAM (eg, D-dimer). We excluded autoimmune disease which is included in the IMPROVE (International Medical Prevention Registry on Venous Thromboembolism) bleeding RAM. Our results also suggest that sex, malignancy, and use of central venous catheters (factors in the IMPROVE bleeding RAM) require further research. In conclusion, our study presents a novel approach to systematically identifying and assessing risk factors to be included or further explored during RAM development.

Abstract

Many predictors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding in hospitalized medical patients may exist but until now systematic reviews and assessments of the certainty of the evidence do not exist. We conducted a systematic review to identify prognostic factors for VTE and bleeding in hospitalized medical patients and searched Medline and EMBASE from inception to May 2018. We considered studies that identified potential prognostic factors for VTE and bleeding in hospitalized adult medical patients. Reviewers extracted data in duplicate and independently and assessed the certainty of the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Of 69,410 citations, we included 17 studies; 14 that reported on VTE and identified 29 candidate prognostic factors and three that reported on bleeding and identified 17 candidate factors. For VTE, moderate certainty evidence shows a probable association with older age, elevated CRP, D-dimer, fibrinogen levels, heart rate, thrombocytosis, leukocytosis, fever, leg edema, lower Barthel Index score, immobility, paresis, previous history of VTE, thrombophilia, malignancy, critical illness and infections. For bleeding, moderate certainty evidence shows a probable association with older age, sex, anemia, obesity, low hemoglobin, gastroduodenal ulcers, rehospitalization, critical illness, thrombocytopenia, blood dyscrasias, hepatic disease, renal failure, antithrombotic medication and central venous catheter (CVC). Elevated CRP, a lower Barthel Index, history of malignancy and elevated heart rate are not included in most VTE risk assessment models (RAMs). This study informs risk prediction in the management of hospitalized medical patients for VTE and bleeding, related research and guidelines for VTE prevention.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Open carpal tunnel release is commonly performed with the use of a tourniquet. The combination of local anesthetic and epinephrine with a pneumatic tourniquet helps provide clear visualization during decompression of the median nerve. There has been a rapid expansion of literature challenging the use of tourniquets in open carpal tunnel release. Consequently, the local anesthesia/no tourniquet approach has become increasingly popular. The authors evaluated the outcomes of awake open carpal tunnel release with and without a tourniquet. METHODS The authors attempted to identify all relevant studies, regardless of language or publication status. A systematic database search for relevant studies was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBSCO, and CENTRAL. Included studies compared patients undergoing awake open carpal tunnel release with and without an arm or forearm tourniquet. RESULTS Eight studies evaluating 765 patients and 866 hands were included. Open carpal tunnel release with the wide awake, local anesthesia, no tourniquet approach resulted in a 2.14 point reduction on the visual analog scale (95% CI, 1.30 to 2.98; p < 0.001). The procedure was 1.82 minutes faster with the use of a tourniquet (95% CI, -3.26 to -0.39; p = 0.01). There were no significant differences between groups in intraoperative blood loss, surgeon perceived difficulty, and complications. CONCLUSION This systematic review found that tourniquet use causes significantly more pain with no significant clinical benefit as compared with using a wide awake, no tourniquet approach in carpal tunnel decompression.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Fluid resuscitation is the cornerstone of sepsis treatment. However, whether balanced or unbalanced crystalloids or natural or synthetic colloids confer a survival advantage is unclear. PURPOSE To examine the effect of different resuscitative fluids on mortality in patients with sepsis. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, EMBASE, ACP Journal Club, CINAHL, HealthSTAR, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials through March 2014. STUDY SELECTION Randomized trials that evaluated different resuscitative fluids in adult patients with sepsis or septic shock and death. No language restrictions were applied. DATA EXTRACTION Two reviewers extracted data on study characteristics, methods, and outcomes. Risk of bias for individual studies and quality of evidence were assessed. DATA SYNTHESIS 14 studies (18916 patients) were included with 15 direct comparisons. Network meta-analysis at the 4-node level showed higher mortality with starches than with crystalloids (high confidence) and lower mortality with albumin than with crystalloids (moderate confidence) or starches (moderate confidence). Network meta-analysis at the 6-node level showed lower mortality with albumin than with saline (moderate confidence) and low-molecular-weight starch (low confidence) and with balanced crystalloids than with saline (low confidence) and low- and high-molecular-weight starches (moderate confidence). LIMITATIONS These trials were heterogeneous in case mix, fluids evaluated, duration of fluid exposure, and risk of bias. Imprecise estimates for several comparisons in this network meta-analysis contribute to low confidence in most estimates of effect. CONCLUSION Among patients with sepsis, resuscitation with balanced crystalloids or albumin compared with other fluids seems to be associated with reduced mortality. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE The Hamilton Chapter of the Canadian Intensive Care Foundation and the Critical Care Medicine Residency Program and Critical Care Division Alternate Funding Plan at McMaster University.