Therapeutics and clinical risk management
-
Ther Clin Risk Manag · Jan 2019
The accuracy assessment of presepsin (sCD14-ST) for mortality prediction in adult patients with sepsis and a head-to-head comparison to PCT: a meta-analysis.
Objective: The soluble cluster of differentiation 14 subtype (sCD14-ST) or presepsin has recently been identified as a promising biomarker in sepsis. The present meta-analysis is performed to assess the prognostic value of presepsin in septic patients. Further, we compare the prognostic performance between presepsin and procalcitonin (PCT) in predicting all-cause mortality in these patients. ⋯ The AUROC of PCT was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.78-0.84) with a pooled SEN of 0.76 (95% CI, 0.55-0.89) and SPE of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.33-0.94). There is no statistically significant difference in the performance of pooled SEN and SPE between presepsin and PCT, with a p value of 0.39 and 0.71, respectively. Conclusions: Based on the results of this meta-analysis, both presepsin and PCT are promising biomarkers for the prognosis of mortality in sepsis.
-
Ther Clin Risk Manag · Jan 2018
ReviewA meta-analysis and systematic review evaluating the use of erythropoietin in total hip and knee arthroplasty.
The debate is still ongoing on the effectiveness and safety of erythropoietin (EPO) treatment in orthopedic surgeries. Specifically, previous studies have not compared the dynamic change of hemoglobin (Hb) levels between different transfusion methods. Besides, complications or side effects of this alternative have not been quantitatively analyzed. We conducted a meta-analysis and systemic review to evaluate the efficacy of EPO on Hb levels observed during the whole perioperative period as well as the volume of allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT), the risk of venous thromboembolism, and application frequency of ABT in hip and knee surgery. ⋯ Preoperative administration of EPO was shown to generally increase Hb levels during the whole perioperative period; however, the extent of the positive effects varies with time points. Additionally, EPO minimizes the need for transfusion significantly in patients undergoing hip or knee surgery without increasing the chance of developing thrombotic complications. Therefore, EPO offers an alternative blood management strategy in total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty.
-
Ther Clin Risk Manag · Jan 2019
A comparison of McGrath MAC, Pentax AWS, and Macintosh direct laryngoscopes for nasotracheal intubation: a randomized controlled trial.
Videolaryngoscopy in nasotracheal intubation has been reported to be better than direct laryngoscopy. The most suitable type of videolaryngoscope remains unknown. This study aimed to compare two videolaryngoscopes (McGrath MAC and Pentax AWS) with a Macintosh laryngoscope during nasotracheal intubation. ⋯ The McGrath MAC and Pentax AWS showed no benefits in intubation time or difficulty, despite better glottal views, compared to the Macintosh laryngoscope in nasotracheal intubation. Additionally, videolaryngoscopes had variable performance at different steps of nasotracheal intubation.
-
Ther Clin Risk Manag · Jan 2017
ReviewCurrent evidence for the use of C-MAC videolaryngoscope in adult airway management: a review of the literature.
The C-MAC videolaryngoscope is the first Macintosh-typed videolaryngoscope. Since the advent of its original version video Macintosh system in 1999, this device has been modified several times. A unique feature of C-MAC device is its ability to provide the 2 options of direct and video laryngoscopy with the same device. ⋯ Furthermore, the option to perform direct and video laryngoscopy with the same device makes C-MAC videolaryngoscope exceptionally useful for emergency intubation. In addition, the C-MAC videolaryngoscope is a very good tool for tracheal intubation teaching. However, tracheal intubation with C-MAC videolaryngoscope may occasionally fail and introduction of C-MAC videolaryngoscope in clinical practice must be accompanied by formal training programs in normal and difficult airway managements.
-
Ther Clin Risk Manag · Jan 2018
ReviewAngiotensin II: a new therapeutic option for vasodilatory shock.
Angiotensin II (Ang II), part of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS), is a potent vasoconstrictor and has been recently approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration in high-output shock. Though not a new drug, the recently published Angiotensin II for the Treatment of High Output Shock (ATHOS-3) trial, as well as a number of retrospective analyses have sparked renewed interest in the use of Ang II, which may have a role in treating refractory shock. ⋯ Evidence suggests that Ang II may preferentially be of benefit in acute kidney injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome, where the RAS is known to be disrupted. Additionally, there may be a role for Ang II in cardiogenic shock, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor overdose, cardiac arrest, liver failure, and in settings of extracorporeal circulation.