Chest
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Comparative Study
A new safe and stable spiral wire needle for thoracoscopic resection of lung nodules.
To show the safety and stability of a spiral wire needle (Somatex; Rietzneuendorf, Germany) in the detection and subsequent thoracoscopic resection of subpleural and/or small nodules of the lung. ⋯ Although our initial experience is limited, the use of this spiral wire needle has been shown to be extremely advantageous in identifying subpleural and/or small nodules of the lung, even sparing the classic third thoracoscopic access for their resection. The presence of a wire needle with a spiral terminal portion (which is placed firmly inside the lung parenchyma) is very useful for the thoracoscopic resection of pulmonary nodules.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Extended evaluation of recombinant human activated protein C United States Trial (ENHANCE US): a single-arm, phase 3B, multicenter study of drotrecogin alfa (activated) in severe sepsis.
To gather additional 28-day all-cause mortality and safety data among adult patients with severe sepsis who were treated with drotrecogin alfa (activated). ⋯ Despite the limitations associated with comparisons across trials, this study provides confirmatory evidence of the efficacy and safety of drotrecogin alfa (activated) documented in the PROWESS trial.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Acute respiratory illness in patients with COPD and the effectiveness of influenza vaccination: a randomized controlled study.
To determine the effectiveness of influenza vaccination on influenza-related acute respiratory illness (ARI) and overall ARI in patients with COPD, and its relationship to the degree of airflow obstruction. ⋯ Influenza vaccination is highly effective in the prevention of influenza-related ARI regardless of the severity of COPD. Influenza vaccination does not prevent other ARIs unrelated to influenza. The effectiveness of influenza vaccination in the prevention of overall ARI in patients with COPD will depend on how much the proportion of influenza-related ARI contributes to the incidence of total ARI. Influenza vaccination should be recommended to all patients with COPD.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Cardiovascular effects of beta-agonists in patients with asthma and COPD: a meta-analysis.
beta-Adrenergic agonists exert physiologic effects that are the opposite of those of beta-blockers. beta-Blockers are known to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiac disease. beta(2)-Agonist use in patients with obstructive airway disease has been associated with an increased risk for myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrest, and acute cardiac death. ⋯ beta(2)-Agonist use in patients with obstructive airway disease increases the risk for adverse cardiovascular events. The initiation of treatment increases heart rate and reduces potassium concentrations compared to placebo. It could be through these mechanisms, and other effects of beta-adrenergic stimulation, that beta(2)-agonists may precipitate ischemia, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden death.