European heart journal
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European heart journal · Sep 2015
Review Meta AnalysisEndovascular therapy for acute ischaemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.
Evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating possible benefits of endovascular therapy (EVT) for acute ischaemic stroke has shown conflicting results. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to systematically examine clinical outcomes in RCTs comparing the use of intravenous (IV) fibrinolysis alone to IV fibrinolysis plus EVT, for the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke. ⋯ In centres with advanced systems of stroke care, EVT significantly improved functional outcomes (without compromising safety) in patients with acute ischaemic stroke due to anterior circulation, large artery occlusion, compared with standard therapy.
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European heart journal · Sep 2015
Review Meta Analysis Comparative StudyAnticoagulant vs. antiplatelet therapy in patients with cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale: an individual participant data meta-analysis.
The preferred antithrombotic strategy for secondary prevention in patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) is unknown. We pooled multiple observational studies and used propensity score-based methods to estimate the comparative effectiveness of oral anticoagulation (OAC) compared with antiplatelet therapy (APT). ⋯ We did not find a statistically significant difference comparing OAC with APT; our results justify randomized trials comparing different antithrombotic approaches in these patients.