Abstract

Background: Protamine can decrease the risk of hemorrhage during carotid recanalization. However, it may cause severe side effects. There is no consensus on the safety and efficacy of protamine during surgery. Thus, we conduct a comprehensive review and meta-analysis to compare the differences between the protamine and the no-protamine group. Method: We systematically obtained literature from Medline, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and PubMed electronic databases. All four databases were scanned from 1937 when protamine was first adopted as a heparin antagonist until February 2021. The reference lists of identified studies were manually checked to determine other eligible studies that qualify. The articles were included in this meta-analysis as long as they met the criteria of PICOS; conference or commentary articles, letters, case report or series, and animal observation were excluded from this study. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale and Cochrane Collaboration's tool are used to assess the risk of bias of each included observational study and RCT, respectively. Stata version 12.0 statistical software (StataCorp LP, College Station, Texas) was adopted as statistical software. When I (2) < 50%, we consider that the data have no obvious heterogeneity, and we conduct a meta-analysis using the fixed-effect model. Otherwise, the random-effect model was performed. Result: A total of 11 studies, consisting of 94,618 participants, are included in this study. Our analysis found that the rate of wound hematoma had a significant difference among protamine and no-protamine patients (OR = 0.268, 95% CI = 0.093 to 0.774, p = 0.015). Furthermore, the incidence of hematoma requiring re-operation (0.7%) was significantly lower than that of patients without protamine (1.8%). However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of stroke, wound hematoma with hypertension, transient ischemic attacks (TIA), myocardial infarction (MI), and death. Conclusion: Among included participants undergoing recanalization, the use of protamine is effective in reducing hematoma without increasing the risk of having other complications. Besides, more evidence-based performance is needed to supplement this opinion due to inherent limitations.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES Platelet-rich concentrates, namely platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), have recently shown potential roles in accelerating orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) and reducing treatment duration. Our study aims to systematically evaluate the effect of platelet-rich concentrates on OTM. MATERIALS AND METHODS An electronic search of 11 databases, followed by a hand search of reference lists of eligible studies and related reviews, was conducted up to January 2022. Randomized controlled trials investigating OTM of patients with platelet-rich concentrates were included. Risk of bias was assessed by version 2 of Cochrane tool (RoB 2) for assessing risk of bias in randomized trials. RESULTS Among 715 records initially identified, 9 studies were included, of which 3 used PRP and the other 6 applied PRF. 7 studies supported a positive relationship between platelet-rich concentrates and OTM, but the other 2 studies reported a null and a negative effect of PRF, respectively. The overall qualities of evidence were moderate to high. CONCLUSIONS Platelet-rich concentrates as PRP and PRF seem to be effective in accelerating OTM at early stages, while their long-term efficacy remains controversial. Repeated application of platelet concentrates may increase the accelerated stability of OTM.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Immunotherapy has been shown to reduce relapses in patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disorder (MOG-AD); however, the superiority of specific treatments remains unclear. AIM: To identify the efficacy and tolerability of different treatments for MOG-AD. METHODS Systematic search in Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to March 1, 2021, were performed. Published articles including patients with MOG-AD and reporting the efficacy or tolerability of two or more types of treatment in preventing relapses were included. Reported outcomes including incidence of relapse, annualized relapse rate (ARR), and side effects were extracted. Network meta-analysis with a random-effect model within a Bayesian framework was conducted. Between group comparisons were estimated using Odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% credible intervals (CrI). RESULTS Twelve studies that compared the efficacy of 10 different treatments in preventing MOG-AD relapse, including 735 patients, were analyzed. In terms of incidence of relapse, intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), oral corticosteroids (OC), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), azathioprine (AZA), and rituximab (RTX) were all significantly more effective than no treatment (ORs ranged from 0.075 to 0.34). On the contrary, disease-modifying therapy (DMT) (OR=1.3, 95% CrI: 0.31 to 5.0) and tacrolimus (TAC) (OR=5.9, 95% CrI: 0.19 to 310) would increase the incidence of relapse. Compared with DMT, IVIG significantly reduced the ARR (MD=-0.85, 95% CrI: -1.7 to -0.098). AZA, MMF, OC and RTX showed a trend to decrease ARR, but those results did not reach significant differences. The combined results for relapse rate and adverse events, as well as ARR and adverse events showed that IVIG and OC were the most effective and tolerable therapies. CONCLUSIONS Whilst DMT should be avoided, IVIG and OC may be suited as first-line therapies for patients with MOG-AD. RTX, MMF, and AZA present suitable alternatives.

Abstract

Few studies have examined the postoperative hemorrhage rate of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated by embolization prior to stereotactic radiosurgery. The objective of this analysis was to compare the postoperative hemorrhage rate between AVMs treated with and those treated without preradiosurgery embolization. A systematic search of the PubMed and Embase databases was performed with no restriction on the publication period. Based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we included studies with sufficient baseline and outcome data. The analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) 2.0. Eleven studies comprising 2591 patients were eligible for analysis. There was no significant difference in the postoperative hemorrhage rate between patients who had undergone embolization followed by SRS and those who had undergone SRS alone (OR 1.140, 95% CI 0.851-1.526, p = 0.38). The obliteration rate was significantly lower in the E + SRS group than in the SRS group (OR 0.586, 95% CI 0.398-0.863, p = 0.007). No significant difference in permanent neurological deficits was identified between patients who had undergone embolization followed by SRS and those who had undergone SRS alone (OR 1.175, 95% CI 0.626-2.206, p = 0.616). Available data suggested that preradiosurgery embolization did not reduce the postoperative hemorrhage rate and resulted in a significantly lower obliteration rate than treatment with SRS alone.

Abstract

RATIONALE Iron deficiency, in the absence of anaemia, is common in patients with idiopathic and heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and is associated with a worse clinical outcome. Oral iron absorption may be impeded by elevated circulating hepcidin levels. The safety and benefit of parenteral iron replacement in this patient population is unclear. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the safety and efficacy of parenteral iron replacement in pulmonary arterial hypertension. METHODS In two randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled 12 week crossover studies, 39 patients in Europe received a single infusion of ferric carboxymaltose (Ferinject®) 1000 mg (or 15 mg/kg if weight < 66.7Kg) or saline as placebo and 17 patients in China received iron dextran (Cosmofer®) 20 mg iron/kg body weight or saline placebo. All patients had idiopathic or heritable PAH and iron deficiency at entry as defined by: a serum ferritin < 37 µg/l or iron < 10.3 µmol/l or transferrin saturations < 16.4%. RESULTS Both iron treatments were well tolerated and improved iron status. Analysed separately and combined, there was no effect on any measure of exercise capacity (using cardiopulmonary exercise testing or 6 minute walk test) or cardio-pulmonary haemodynamics, as assessed by right heart catheterisation, cardiac magnetic resonance or plasma NT-proBNP, at 12 weeks. CONCLUSION Iron repletion by administration of a slow release iron preparation as a single infusion to PAH patients with iron deficiency without overt anaemia was well tolerated but provided no significant clinical benefit at 12 weeks. Clinical trial registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01447628).

Abstract

Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery has a lot of complications, especially hemorrhage, which can be controlled via tranexamic acid (TXA). The guidelines endorse the integration of TXA interventions in the management of TKA-induced complications. However, uncertainty surrounds the effects of different TXA therapies. This frequentist model network meta-analysis (NMA) aims to compare hemorrhage control and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) rate of different TXA therapies in TKA. Methods: Articles were searched with the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from 1966 to October 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing different TXA therapies, or with placebo in patients with TKA were included. Two investigators independently conducted article retrievals and data collection. The outcome was total blood loss and DVT rate. Effect size measures were mean differences (MDs), or odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We conducted a random-effects NMA using a frequentist approach to estimate relative effects for all comparisons and rank treatments according to the mean rank and surface under the cumulative ranking curve values. All analyses were performed in Stata software or R software. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42020202404. Results: We identified 1 754 citations and included 81 studies with data for 9 987 patients with TKA. Overall, all TXA therapies were superior to placebo for total blood loss in TKA. Of all TXA therapies, M therapy (IV/IV infusion + oral TXA > 3g) was most effective for total blood loss (MD=-688.48, -1084.04--328.93), followed by F therapy (IV TXA ≥ 15 mg/kg or 1 g three times). TXA therapies in this study are not associated with the increase of DVT risk. Conclusions: TXA therapies in this study are effective and safe for the treatment of TKA-induced complications. M therapy (IV/IV infusion + oral TXA > 3 g) may be the most effective TXA therapy for hemorrhage control. TXA therapies in this study do not increase DVT risk. Considering hemorrhage control and DVT rate simultaneously, F therapy (IV TXA ≥ 15 mg/kg or 1 g three times) may be suggested to apply for TKA, and this study may provide a crucial clue to future TXA use.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Although proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used in the prevention of gastric bleeding caused by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), there is no consensus on the optimal regimen for these patients. Therefore, we aim to investigate whether intermittent use of low-dose PPI is sufficient to prevent post-ESD bleeding. METHODS This multicenter, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial was conducted at 9 hospitals in China. Consecutive eligible patients with a diagnosis of gastric mucosal lesions after ESD treatment were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either intermittent low-dose or continuous high-dose PPIs treatment. After three days, all patients administered orally esomeprazole 40 mg once a day for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was post-ESD bleeding within 7 days. Analysis was done according to the intention-to-treat principle with the non-inferiority margin (Δ) of 5%. RESULTS 526 consecutive patients were assessed for eligibility from 30 September 2017 to 30 July 2019, of whom 414 were randomly assigned to low-dose (n = 209) or high-dose (n = 205) esomeprazole treatment group without dropouts within7 days. The total post-ESD bleeding is occurred in 13 (6.2 %, 95 % CI 3.3-9.6) of 209 within 7 days in the intermittent low-dose group, and 12 (5.9 %, 95 % CI 2.9-9.3) of 205 in the continuous high-dose group. The absolute risk reduction (ARR) was 0.4 % (-4.2, 4.9). One month after ESD, There are 44 patients (21.1 %, 95 % CI 15.8, 26.8) and 39 patients (19.0 % 95 % CI 13.7, 24.4) in scar stage respectively in low-dose group and high-dose group (P = 0.875).The hospital costs in the low-dose PPI group was lower than high -dose group (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION The intermittent use of low-dose PPIs is sufficient to prevent post-ESD bleeding. It might be applied in clinical practice to prevent post-ESD bleeding and reduce the costs related to PPIs.

Abstract

BACKGROUND It is unclear which kind of interventional therapy is the best when reducing blood loss in patients prepared for total hip arthroplasty (THA). We performed this network meta-analysis to rank the best intervention arm for blood loss control in THA patients. METHODS We searched electronic databases about randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare three treatments (topical tranexamic acid (TXA), intravenous TXA, and topical fibrin sealant (FS)) versus placebo for the people prepared for THA. Traditional and network meta-analyses were performed. The quality assessment was conducted using Cochrane Collaboration's tool. The network meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 13.0 software. RESULTS Finally, a total of 32 RCTs were included in this network meta-analysis. Topical TXA, intravenous TXA, and topical FS significantly decreased the need for transfusion and total blood loss when compared with placebo. And intravenous TXA ranks the first hemostasis agent for reducing the need for transfusion and total blood loss. There was no significant difference between these three treatments (intravenous TXA, topical TXA, and topical FS) in the occurrence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). CONCLUSION Intravenous TXA may be the best way to reduce the need for transfusion and total blood loss. More direct studies that focused on topical TXA versus FS are needed in the future.

Abstract

BACKGROUND During total knee arthroplasty(TKA), tourniquet is widely used by most surgeons whereas the optimal application is still controversial. With this prospective randomized controlled study, we intend to investigate the effect of lower limb lifting and squeeze exsanguination methods on clinical outcomes in a series of TKAs. METHODS Prospectively enrolled a total of 236 TKA patients from March, 2012 to November, 2016. Of which 118 patients randomly constitute Group A with lower limb lifting exsanguination technique; and the other 118 patients comprise Group B with squeeze exsanguination method. A year's follow-up measurements were recorded in detail for analysis. RESULTS The pre-tourniquet time of Group A was significantly shorter than that in Group B (P < 0.001). Significant difference was found on skin tension blister, 3 happened in Group A and 11 happened in Group B (P = 0.031), which resulted in a difference in total complications (P = 0.039). The VAS score was significantly lower in Group A at one and seven days postoperatively, P < 0.001 and P = 0.011, respectively. No significant differences were found regarding all other clinical outcome measurements. CONCLUSION The lower limb lifting exsanguination is a safe and effective technique. Compared with squeeze exsanguination method, it could decrease the incidence of skin tension blister and alleviate early postoperative pain reaction, no additional risks occurred regarding other clinical outcomes. Thus, it might have the potentiality to be commonly utilized in TKA procedure. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: ChiCTR1800020471. Registered on 31 December 2018 Retrospectively registered.

Abstract

Patients who undergo total hip arthroplasty (THA) may experience a large amount of blood loss. The objective of our study is to include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and compare the clinical outcomes of fibrin sealant (FS) versus placebo after a THA. In October 2015, we searched the following databases: Medline, Embase, PubMed, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Web of Science, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the China Wanfang database and Google Scholar. Finally, seven studies that included 679 patients met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis indicated that the topical administration of FS was associated with a reduction of the need for transfusion compared to the control group (P = 0.05). And topical FS will reduce total blood loss after THA (P = 0.0003) and blood loss in drainage (P = 0.002). However, there was no significant difference in terms of the intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.62) and the rate of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), fever, pain, anemia, hematoma and oozing. In conclusion, the use of FS in patients who are undergoing THA may reduce perioperative blood loss and attenuate the decrease in Hb. Furthermore, FS do not decrease the intraoperative blood loss without an increase in the risk of postoperative DVT, fever, pain, anemia, hematoma and oozing.