The New England journal of medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction.
In a controlled trial of streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction, 512 of 2338 patients at 11 European centers were stratified according to clinical severity. Three hundred fifteen patients allocated to medium-risk and high-risk groups were randomized to a 24-hour infusion of streptokinase or glucose. There were no essential differences in the severity of illness in the two groups before infusion. ⋯ The treatment was generally well tolerated. We tolerated. We conclude that streptokinase given under the conditions of this trial -- to medium-risk patients admitted to a coronary-care unit within 12 hours of onset of symptoms -- reduces mortality at six months. (N Engl J Med 301:797-802, 1979)
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The chemotherapy of plasma-cell myeloma and the incidence of acute leukemia.
Previously untreated patients with myeloma were randomized to initial treatment with melphalan and prednisone (and to cyclophosphamide or carmustine if relapse or progression occurred)(Group A, 125 patients), melphalan, cyclophosphamide, carmustine and prednisone in alternating (Group B, 123 patients) or concurrent (Group C, 116 patients) schedules. The groups were similar with respect to known prognostic factors. Response rates and survival were also similar. ⋯ Myelomas producing only gamma chains have a poorer prognosis (P greater than 0.001) than IgG, IgA, or kappa myeloma. Acute leukemia has developed in 14 patients. The actuarial risk of developing acute leukemia, has increased rapidly to 17.4 per cent at 50 months.