Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2004
ReviewInhaled anti-cholinergics for prolonged non-specific cough in children.
Non-specific cough is defined as non-productive cough in the absence of identifiable respiratory disease or known aetiology. It is commonly seen in paediatric practice. These children are treated with a variety of therapies including inhaled anti-cholinergic medications. ⋯ There is currently no evidence to support the use of inhaled anti-cholinergics for symptomatic control of non-specific cough in children. Further research examining the effects of this intervention is needed.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2004
ReviewHepatitis B vaccination for patients with chronic renal failure.
Chronic renal failure patients are at particular risk of hepatitis B virus infection. Early studies have demonstrated that renal failure patients benefit from vaccination; however, not all studies have consistently shown benefit. ⋯ Plasma derived vaccines are more effective than placebo in achieving hepatitis B antibodies, while no statistically significant difference was found between recombinant and plasma vaccines. No statistically significant difference of effectiveness was observed between a reinforced vaccination series versus routine vaccinations of three inoculations of recombinant vaccine.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2004
ReviewTheophylline, aminophylline, caffeine and analogues for acute ischaemic stroke.
Theophylline causes potent cerebral vasoconstriction which decreases blood flow in the non-ischaemic areas of the brain and increases collateral blood flow surrounding the ischaemic region. NOTE: This review covers an area where no active research is taking place. It will be updated if relevant information becomes available, e.g. on completion of an appropriate study. ⋯ There is not enough evidence to assess whether theophylline or its analogues, e.g. aminophylline, are safe and improve outcome in people with acute ischaemic stroke.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2004
ReviewAnticoagulants for preventing stroke in patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation and a history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack.
People with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation (NRAF) who have had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or a minor ischaemic stroke are at high risk of recurrent stroke. ⋯ The evidence suggests that anticoagulants are beneficial, without serious adverse effects, for people with NRAF and recent cerebral ischaemia.
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Treatment of cerebral sinus thrombosis with thrombolytics has been reported in cases with a deteriorating clinical course despite anticoagulant therapy. The rationale of this treatment is to promote rapid recanalisation of the occluded sinus. ⋯ There is currently no available evidence from randomised controlled trials regarding the efficacy or safety of thrombolytic therapy in dural sinus thrombosis. A randomised controlled trial is justified to test this therapy especially in patients predicted to have a poor prognosis.