Lancet
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Review Meta Analysis
Outcomes associated with drug-eluting and bare-metal stents: a collaborative network meta-analysis.
Whether the two drug-eluting stents approved by the US Food and Drug Administration-a sirolimus-eluting stent and a paclitaxel-eluting stent-are associated with increased risks of death, myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis compared with bare-metal stents is uncertain. Our aim was to compare the safety and effectiveness of these stents. ⋯ The risks of mortality associated with drug-eluting and bare-metal stents are similar. Sirolimus-eluting stents seem to be clinically better than bare-metal and paclitaxel-eluting stents.
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Review Meta Analysis
Antiplatelet agents for prevention of pre-eclampsia: a meta-analysis of individual patient data.
Pre-eclampsia is a major cause of mortality and morbidity during pregnancy and childbirth. Antiplatelet agents, especially low-dose aspirin, might prevent or delay pre-eclampsia, and thereby improve outcome. Our aim was to assess the use of antiplatelet agents for the primary prevention of pre-eclampsia, and to explore which women are likely to benefit most. ⋯ Antiplatelet agents during pregnancy are associated with moderate but consistent reductions in the relative risk of pre-eclampsia, of birth before 34 weeks' gestation, and of having a pregnancy with a serious adverse outcome.
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Several trials have been done to assess treatment of premenopausal breast cancer with luteinising-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists, but results have been inconclusive, especially for patients with hormone-receptor-positive cancer. ⋯ LHRH agonists provide an additional class of agents for treatment of premenopausal women with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Optimum duration of use is unknown.
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Review Meta Analysis
Hyperfractionated or accelerated radiotherapy in head and neck cancer: a meta-analysis.
Several trials have studied the role of unconventional fractionated radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, but the effect of such treatment on survival is not clear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess whether this type of radiotherapy could improve survival. ⋯ Altered fractionated radiotherapy improves survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Comparison of the different types of altered radiotherapy suggests that hyperfractionation has the greatest benefit.
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Review Meta Analysis
Effect of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) on mortality in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema: a meta-analysis.
Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel ventilation, has been shown to reduce the need for invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. We assessed additional benefits of NIPPV in a meta-analysis. ⋯ In patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, CPAP and bilevel ventilation reduces the need for subsequent mechanical ventilation. Compared with standard therapy, CPAP reduces mortality; our results also suggest a trend towards reduced mortality after bilevel NIPPV.