Minerva anestesiologica
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Minerva anestesiologica · Jul 2014
Review Meta AnalysisEffect of epinephrine on survival after cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The use of epinephrine is currently recommended as a treatment option for patients with cardiac arrest. The primary objective of this systematic review was to determine if epinephrine use during cardiac arrest is associated with improved survival to hospital discharge. MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and Biological Abstracts (BIOSIS Previews), and bibliographies of previous systematic reviews. ⋯ But epinephrine was associated with decreased survival in observational-A studies (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.48; P<0.01; I2=0.00%). Epinephrine use during cardiac arrest is not associated with improved survival to hospital discharge. Observational studies with a lower-risk for bias suggest that it may be associated with decreased survival.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Jul 2014
Review Meta AnalysisEffectiveness of oral chlorhexidine on nosocomial pneumonia, causative microorganisms and mortality in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials to explore the effectiveness of oral chlorhexidine on nosocomial pneumonia, causative bacteria, and mortality. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials were searched for randomized trials in critically ill patients receiving oral chlorhexidine. Odds ratios (OR) were pooled with the random effects model. ⋯ Mortality was not affected. This review indicates that in critically ill, mainly surgical, patients, oral chlorhexidine reduces nosocomial pneumonia, ventilator-associated pneumonia, nosocomial pneumonia due to Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and due to "normal" flora, without affecting mortality. Further studies should explore the efficacy of oral chlorhexidine in non-surgical critically ill population.
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Minerva anestesiologica · May 2014
Review Meta AnalysisEfficacy and safety of gabapentin for treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common type of neuropathic pain occurring after resolution of herpes zoster rash. Although gabapentin is a widely used treatment, some disagreements exist about its efficacy and safety. Meta-analysis was performed to better evaluate the efficacy and safety of gabapentin for management of PHN. ⋯ This meta-analysis indicates that gabapentin is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with PHN.
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Minerva anestesiologica · May 2014
Review Meta AnalysisHigh volume hemofiltration in critically ill Patients - a systematic review and Meta-analysis.
High volume hemofiltration (HVHF) has been proposed as method for blood purification, especially under the condition of systemic inflammatory syndromes. Our goal was to evaluate the effects of HVHF in critically ill patients. ⋯ No clear overall beneficial effect of HVHF or PHVHF compared to standard volume hemofiltration can be detected.
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Minerva anestesiologica · May 2014
Review Meta AnalysisWhat is the clinical significance of pulmonary hypertension in acute respiratory distress syndrome? A review.
Elevated pulmonary arterial pressures appear to be a prominent feature of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Current clinical guidelines for the management of ARDS do not specifically address treatment of pulmonary hypertension or associated right ventricular dysfunction because the clinical significance of this entity remains unclear. ⋯ While studies of pulmonary vasodilator therapies have not shown a mortality benefit in ARDS, such trials have targeted improved oxygenation rather than improved pulmonary hemodynamics so that the possible contribution of improved right ventricular function to better outcomes has not been directly tested in large trials. Future studies are needed to determine if treatment of pulmonary hypertension and associated right ventricular dysfunction will affect mortality in patients with ARDS.