The New England journal of medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Effect of enalapril on mortality and the development of heart failure in asymptomatic patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fractions.
It is not known whether the treatment of patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction reduces mortality and morbidity. We studied the effect of an angiotensin-converting--enzyme inhibitor, enalapril, on total mortality and mortality from cardiovascular causes, the development of heart failure, and hospitalization for heart failure among patients with ejection fractions of 0.35 or less who were not receiving drug treatment for heart failure. ⋯ The angiotensin-converting--enzyme inhibitor enalapril significantly reduced the incidence of heart failure and the rate of related hospitalizations, as compared with the rates in the group given placebo, among patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. There was also a trend toward fewer deaths due to cardiovascular causes among the patients who received enalapril.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
A controlled trial in intensive care units of selective decontamination of the digestive tract with nonabsorbable antibiotics. The French Study Group on Selective Decontamination of the Digestive Tract.
Selective decontamination of the digestive tract with topical nonabsorbable antibiotics has been reported to prevent nosocomial infections in patients receiving mechanical ventilation, and the procedure is used widely in Europe. However, it is unclear whether selective decontamination improves survival. ⋯ Selective decontamination of the digestive tract does not improve survival among patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit, although it substantially increases the cost of their care.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of amphotericin B with fluconazole in the treatment of acute AIDS-associated cryptococcal meningitis. The NIAID Mycoses Study Group and the AIDS Clinical Trials Group.
Intravenous amphotericin B, with or without flucytosine, is usually standard therapy for cryptococcal meningitis in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Fluconazole, an oral triazole agent, represents a promising new approach to the treatment of cryptococcal disease. ⋯ Fluconazole is an effective alternative to amphotericin B as primary treatment of cryptococcal meningitis in patients with AIDS. Single-drug therapy with either drug is most effective in patients who are at low risk for treatment failure. The optimal therapy for patients at high risk remains to be determined.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
A controlled trial of synthetic surfactant in infants weighing 1250 g or more with respiratory distress syndrome. The American Exosurf Neonatal Study Group I, and the Canadian Exosurf Neonatal Study Group.
Surfactant-replacement therapy is now recognized as a life-saving and safe intervention in small premature infants, but there is little evidence concerning its risks and benefits in larger premature infants. ⋯ In infants weighing at least 1250 g at birth who have respiratory distress syndrome, treatment with two doses of synthetic surfactant improves survival and reduces perinatal morbidity.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Effect of oral milrinone on mortality in severe chronic heart failure. The PROMISE Study Research Group.
Milrinone, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, enhances cardiac contractility by increasing intracellular levels of cyclic AMP, but the long-term effect of this type of positive inotropic agent on the survival of patients with chronic heart failure has not been determined. ⋯ Our findings indicate that despite its beneficial hemodynamic actions, long-term therapy with oral milrinone increases the morbidity and mortality of patients with severe chronic heart failure. The mechanism by which the drug exerts its deleterious effects is unknown.