Abstract

BACKGROUND Previous meta-analysis had concluded that desferrioxamine mesylate (DFO) could effectively treat intracerebral hematoma (ICH) in animal models. We hope to confirm that DFO could treat ICH patients effectively through the systemic review and meta-analysis of clinical researches. METHOD Data extraction included hematoma volume (HV), reduction of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, and relative perihematomal edema (RPHE). The standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated by fixed effects model. I-square (I(2)) statistic was used to test the heterogeneity. All p values were two-side with a significant level at 0.05. RESULTS Five randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis, which included 239 patients. At 7 days after onset, there was significant difference of RPHE development (- 1.87 (- 2.22, - 1.51) (I(2) = 0, p = 0.639)) and significant difference of HV absorption (- 0.71 (- 1.06, 0.36) (I(2) = 17.5%, p = 0.271)) between DFO and control groups. There was significant difference of reduction of NHISS scores (0.25 (0.05, 0.46) (I(2) = 0, p = 0.992)) between DFO and control groups at 30 days after onset. CONCLUSION DFO reduced HV and perihematomal edema in ICH patients at 7 days after onset and improve neurological function at 30 days after onset efficiently and safely. DFO might be a new route of improving treatment of ICH.

Abstract

AIM: We intended to provide the clinical evidence that artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to assist doctors in the diagnosis of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS Studies published in 2021 were identified after the literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) was used to perform the quality assessment of studies. Data extraction of diagnosis effect included accuracy (ACC), sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), area under curve (AUC), and Dice scores (Dices). The pooled effect with its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was calculated by the random effects model. I-Square (I (2)) was used to test heterogeneity. To check the stability of the overall results, sensitivity analysis was conducted by recalculating the pooled effect of the remaining studies after omitting the study with the highest quality or the random effects model was switched to the fixed effects model. Funnel plot was used to evaluate publication bias. To reduce heterogeneity, recalculating the pooled effect of the remaining studies after omitting the study with the lowest quality or perform subgroup analysis. RESULTS Twenty-five diagnostic tests of ICH via AI and doctors with overall high quality were included. Pooled ACC, SEN, SPE, PPV, NPV, AUC, and Dices were 0.88 (0.83∼0.93), 0.85 (0.81∼0.89), 0.90 (0.88∼0.92), 0.80 (0.75∼0.85), 0.93 (0.91∼0.95), 0.84 (0.80∼0.89), and 0.90 (0.85∼0.95), respectively. There was no publication bias. All of results were stable as revealed by sensitivity analysis and were accordant as outcomes via subgroups analysis. CONCLUSION Under the background of the fourth industrial revolution, AI might be an effective and efficient tool to assist doctors in the clinical diagnosis of ICH.

Abstract

BACKGROUND The effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for knee osteoarthritis and the effects of leukocyte-poor PRP (LP-PRP) versus leukocyte-rich PRP (LR-PRP) are still controversial. PURPOSE To assess the effectiveness of different PRP injections through a direct and indirect meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS A systematic literature search of electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE) was performed to locate randomized controlled trials published through March 2019 that compared PRP with control treatment. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize the evidence, and meta-regression analyses were conducted to determine the influence of trial characteristics. An indirect comparison was performed to assess the effects of LP-PRP and LR-PRP compared with hyaluronic acid (HA). RESULTS A total of 21 trials were included. A clinically important benefit for pain relief was seen for intra-articular PRP compared with intra-articular saline (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -1.38 [95% CI, -2.07 to -0.70]; P < .0001; I (2) = 37%) and corticosteroid solution injection (SMD = -2.47 [95% CI, -3.34 to -1.61]; P < .00001; I (2) = 47%). As a result of heterogeneity (I (2) = 89%), there was no conclusive effect compared with HA, even though the pooling effect provided clinically relevant pain relief (SMD = -0.59 [95% CI, -0.97 to -0.21]; P = .003). Indirect meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference between LR-PRP and LP-PRP. CONCLUSION PRP injections are beneficial for pain relief and functional improvement in knee osteoarthritis. Larger, randomized high-quality studies are needed to compare the effects of LP-PRP and LR-PRP.

Abstract

Background: The role of tranexamic acid (TXA) in preventing hematoma expansion (HE) in patients with acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains unclear. We aim to investigate the efficacy and safety of TXA in acute spontaneous ICH with a particular focus on subgroups. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved from CENTRAL, Clinicaltrials.gov, EMBASE, PubMed, and WHO ICTRP. The primary outcome measurement was HE. The secondary outcome measurements included 3-month poor functional outcome (PFO), 3-month mortality, and major thromboembolic events (MTE). We conducted subgroup analysis according to the CT markers of HE (standard-risk population and high-risk population) and the time from onset to randomization (>4.5 and ≤4.5 h). Results: We identified seven studies (representing five RCTs) involving 2,650 participants. Compared with placebo, TXA may reduce HE on subsequent imaging (odd ratio [OR] 0.825; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.692-0.984; p = 0.033; I(2) = 0%; GRADE moderate certainty). TXA and placebo arms did not differ in the rates of 3-month PFO, 3-month mortality, and MTE. Subgroup analysis indicated that TXA reduced the risk of HE in the high-risk population with CT markers of HE (OR 0.646; 95% CI 0.503-0.829; p = 0.001; I(2) = 0 %) and in patients who were treated within 4.5 h of symptom onset (OR 0.823; 95% CI 0.690-0.980; p = 0.029; I(2) = 0%), but this protective effect was not observed in the standard-risk population and patients who were treated over 4.5 h of symptom onset. Conclusions: Tranexamic acid (TXA) may decrease the risk of HE in patients with acute spontaneous ICH. Importantly, the decreased risk was observed in patients who were treatable within 4.5 h and with a high risk of HE, but not in those who were treatable over 4.5 h and in standard-risk population. However, PFO or mortality at 3 months did not significantly differ between patients who received TXA and those who received placebo. TXA is safe for acute spontaneous ICH without increasing MTE.

Abstract

Objective: The magnitude of the therapeutic effects of intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on osteoarthritis (OA) is still under debate. The goal of this study that was a systematic review of randomised controlled trials of PRP injections for the treatment of OA was to elucidate the therapeutic efficacy of PRP. Methods: Electronic databases of PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE, EBSCO, ClinicalTrials.gov, and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched from inception to June 2018 for RCTs that compared PRP injections to controls in patients with OA. A random-effects approach was used to compile data and subgroups according to trial size (large trials versus small trials), patient profile (age and gender), and PRP preparation method was performed. Results: Thirty trials met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. All results had unexplained statistical heterogeneity. Patients treated with PRP compared with control showed statistically relevant pain relief and function improvement at short term (standardised mean difference [SMD] = -0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.98 to -0.27, P = 0.0006, SMD = -0.74, 95% CI: -1.11 to 0.36, P = 0.0001, respectively), medium term (SMD = -0.53, 95% CI: -0.83 to -0.23, P = 0.0006, SMD = -0.50, 95% CI: -0.75 to -0.25, P = 0.0006), and long term (SMD = -0.69, 95% CI: -1.08 to -0.30, P = 0.0006, SMD = -0.68, 95% CI: -0.1.09 to -0.27, P = 0.001, respectively). A subgroup analysis of the data from large trials and from trials composed of less than 50% female patients revealed that therapeutic effects of the treatment are insignificant. Conclusions: According to the currently available data, PRP injections are beneficial for pain relief and function improvement in patients with OA. This meta-analysis, however, demonstrated that the efficacy of PRP is related to sample size and gender composition. Thus, more randomised controlled trials of high quality and larger patient size, also including gender aspects, are required to understand this phenomenon. The translational potential of this article: The translation potential of this meta-analysis is that provided another perspective to analyse the treatment effect of PRP for OA. In future research, phenotypes subpopulation and gender difference of OA patient should be considered for PRP treatment.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE Here we tested the therapeutic efficacy of infected bone inactivation combined with transplantation of autologous platelet-rich plasma and bone marrow in chronic osteomyelitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS 64 patients with chronic osteomyelitis were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in control group received conventional antibiotic and surgical treatments, while patients in the experimental treatment group underwent infected bone inactivation combined with transplantation of autologous platelet-rich plasma and bone marrow. The X-ray, histological, and biochemical (alkaline phosphatase) changes were assessed at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS At all tested study points, X-ray and histological scores, and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly better in patients of the experimental treatment group. CONCLUSIONS Infected bone inactivation combined with transplantation of autologous platelet-rich plasma and bone marrow achieves beneficial therapeutic results in chronic osteomyelitis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To determine the safety and effectiveness of autotransfusion of shed mediastinal blood after open heart surgery. METHODS Sixty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were selected randomly to receive either nonwashed shed mediastinal blood (Group 1, n = 30) or banked blood (Group 2, n = 30). Drainage and transfusion volume were determined after the operation. Hb, RBC, HCT and PLT were detected immediately before and after the operation, as well as 24 hours and 7 days after the operation. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test. A P < 0. 05 was considered significant. RESULTS There were no significant differences in Hb, HCT, PLT or length of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (P > 0. 05). In the two groups, no significant difference in the mean blood loss was observed during 24 hours after the operation (660 +/- 300 ml in Group 1 and 655 +/- 280 ml in Group 2, P > 0. 05). In Group 1, the mean volume autotransfused was 280 +/- 160 ml, and the patients required 360 +/- 80 ml banked blood compared with 660 +/- 120 ml in Group 2. In other words, the banked blood requirement in Group 1 was 40% lower. CONCLUSIONS Autotransfusion of shed mediastinal blood after an open heart operation is safe and effective.

Abstract

This prospective study was designed to determine whether the autotransfusion of shed mediastinal blood (ATS) after open heart surgery is safe and effective. Forty-two patients undergoing cardiac operation were randomized to receive either nonwashed shed mediastinal blood (group 1; n = 22) or banked blood (group 2: n = 20). No difference in mean age (group 1: 49 +/- 11 years; group 2: 45 +/- 12 years), coronary artery bypass grafting (group 1: n = 5, 23%; group 2: n = 6, 30%), valve replacement (group 1: n = 17, 77%, group 2: n = 14, 70%), and mean preoperative hemoglobin level (group 1: 13.7 +/- 2.3, group 2: 14.4 +/- 1.6) was noted between non-ATS and ATS groups (p = not significant). The mean hemoglobin levels after operation were similar in the two groups (group 1: 11.89 +/- 1.52; group 2: 12.03 +/- 1.34). No difference in the mean blood loss 4, 6 and 24 hours after operation (group 1: 33 +/- 190, 420 +/- 340 and 550 +/- 300; group 2: 340 +/- 230, 420 +/- 280 and 670 +/- 380) was observed between the two groups. The mean volume autotransfused in group I was 380 +/- 230 ml (200 approximately 1300 ml). In group I, the patients required bank blood 1080 +/- 720, compared with 1780 +/- 1045 in group II. The bank blood requirement in group I reducted by 40%. These data demonstrate that ATS after open heart surgery is safe and effective.