The New England journal of medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Ticagrelor with or without Aspirin in High-Risk Patients after PCI.
Monotherapy with a P2Y12 inhibitor after a minimum period of dual antiplatelet therapy is an emerging approach to reduce the risk of bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). ⋯ Among high-risk patients who underwent PCI and completed 3 months of dual antiplatelet therapy, ticagrelor monotherapy was associated with a lower incidence of clinically relevant bleeding than ticagrelor plus aspirin, with no higher risk of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. (Funded by AstraZeneca; TWILIGHT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02270242.).
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Prevention of Early Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia after Cardiac Arrest.
Patients who are treated with targeted temperature management after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with shockable rhythm are at increased risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia. The benefit of preventive short-term antibiotic therapy has not been shown. ⋯ A 2-day course of antibiotic therapy with amoxicillin-clavulanate in patients receiving a 32-to-34°C targeted temperature management strategy after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with initial shockable rhythm resulted in a lower incidence of early ventilator-associated pneumonia than placebo. No significant between-group differences were observed for other key clinical variables, such as ventilator-free days and mortality at day 28. (Funded by the French Ministry of Health; ANTHARTIC ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02186951.).
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Trial of Apremilast for Oral Ulcers in Behçet's Syndrome.
The small-molecule phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor apremilast modulates cytokines that are up-regulated in Behçet's syndrome. In a phase 2 trial involving patients with Behçet's syndrome, apremilast reduced the incidence and severity of oral ulcers. Data on the efficacy and safety of apremilast in patients with Behçet's syndrome who had active oral ulcers and had not previously received biologic agents are limited. ⋯ In patients with oral ulcers associated with Behçet's syndrome, apremilast resulted in a greater reduction in the number of oral ulcers than placebo but was associated with adverse events, including diarrhea, nausea, and headache. (Funded by Celgene; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02307513.).
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Trial of Satralizumab in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder.
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system and is associated with autoantibodies to anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgG) in approximately two thirds of patients. Interleukin-6 is involved in the pathogenesis of the disorder. Satralizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the interleukin-6 receptor. The efficacy of satralizumab added to immunosuppressant treatment in patients with NMOSD is unclear. ⋯ Among patients with NMOSD, satralizumab added to immunosuppressant treatment led to a lower risk of relapse than placebo but did not differ from placebo in its effect on pain or fatigue. (Funded by Chugai Pharmaceutical; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02028884.).
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Dapagliflozin in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction.
In patients with type 2 diabetes, inhibitors of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) reduce the risk of a first hospitalization for heart failure, possibly through glucose-independent mechanisms. More data are needed regarding the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with established heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction, regardless of the presence or absence of type 2 diabetes. ⋯ Among patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction, the risk of worsening heart failure or death from cardiovascular causes was lower among those who received dapagliflozin than among those who received placebo, regardless of the presence or absence of diabetes. (Funded by AstraZeneca; DAPA-HF ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03036124.).