Lancet
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Efficacy of ISA247 in plaque psoriasis: a randomised, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III study.
The use of systemic calcineurin inhibitors for the treatment of patients with psoriasis is limited by toxicity, particularly nephrotoxicity. ISA247, a novel inhibitor, was effective and well tolerated in a phase II study of patients with plaque psoriasis. Therefore its efficacy was assessed in this phase III study. ⋯ ISA247 was safe and effective in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe psoriasis during 24 weeks, with the highest dose providing the best efficacy. The strong correlation between ISA247 concentrations and efficacy might allow for accurate dosing of patients compared with existing calcineurin inhibitors.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism by multidetector CT alone or combined with venous ultrasonography of the leg: a randomised non-inferiority trial.
Multislice CT (MSCT) combined with D-dimer measurement can safely exclude pulmonary embolism in patients with a low or intermediate clinical probability of this disease. We compared this combination with a strategy in which both a negative venous ultrasonography of the leg and MSCT were needed to exclude pulmonary embolism. ⋯ The strategy combining D-dimer and MSCT is as safe as the strategy using D-dimer followed by venous compression ultrasonography of the leg and MSCT for exclusion of pulmonary embolism. An ultrasound could be of use in patients with a contraindication to CT.
-
Intracoronary stenting can improve procedural success and reduce restenosis compared with balloon angioplasty in patients with acute coronary syndromes, but can also increase the rate of thrombotic complications including stent thrombosis. The TRITON-TIMI 38 trial has shown that prasugrel-a novel, potent thienopyridine-can reduce ischaemic events compared with standard clopidogrel therapy. We assessed the rate, outcomes, and prevention of ischaemic events in patients treated with prasugrel or clopidogrel with stents in the TRITON-TIMI 38 study. ⋯ Intensive antiplatelet therapy with prasugrel resulted in fewer ischaemic outcomes including stent thrombosis than with standard clopidogrel. These findings were statistically robust irrespective of stent type, and the data affirm the importance of intensive platelet inhibition in patients with intracoronary stents.