Latest Articles
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Meta Analysis
Traumatic aortic injury: diagnosis with contrast-enhanced thoracic CT--five-year experience at a major trauma center.
To review the literature and the authors' experience with admission contrast material-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in patients admitted after blunt trauma. ⋯ The CT finding of mediastinal hemorrhage alone is sensitive for traumatic aortic injury, but the finding of aortic injury is more specific.
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Meta Analysis
Analgesic efficacy of paracetamol and its combination with codeine and caffeine in surgical pain--a meta-analysis.
The objective of this study was to quantify the analgesic efficacy of paracetamol and its combination with codeine or caffeine through a systematic overview and meta-analysis of relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Systematic retrieval of relevant clinical trials was carried out using computerized searches, historical searches and communication with manufacturers. The results of RCTs were pooled to estimate (i) the difference in percentage improvement of total pain relief (TOTPAR%) and the sum of pain intensity difference (SPID%); (ii) the proportions of patients obtaining moderate to excellent pain relief relative to placebo (ResRR) and (iii) the ratio of patients requiring analgesic re-medication (RemRR). ⋯ In conclusion paracetamol is an effective analgesic for post-surgical pain. Caffeine adds little to the analgesic effect of paracetamol. However, there is some evidence that codeine 60 mg adds to the analgesic effects of paracetamol 600 mg, using pain relief or pain intensity scores as outcomes, but this is not necessarily translated into an increase in number of patients who obtain moderate to excellent pain relief.
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The separation of whole blood into components is the state-of-the-art in transfusion of allogeneic blood. The main reasons are the negative effects of the buffy coat and the need for FFP. Nevertheless, especially in Germany whole blood is being rejected more and more even as autologous blood. However, most of the negative effects of the buffy coat do not apply to autologous blood. Additionally, these patients usually do not develop coagulation disorders and therefore do not need plasma as a hemostatic component. On the other hand, separation into components of autologous blood leads to an increase of costs and to logistic problems that restrict autologous blood predeposit to a few institutions. Therefore, we have reviewed the literature in order to find a scientific basis for this. ⋯ Whole blood (resuspended in CPDA-1) and red cell units (stabilized in CPDA-1 or additive solutions) with a different buffy coat or leucocyte content have comparable pH values and red cell 2,3-DPG and ATP concentrations at the end of the approved storage time. The potassium load of a whole blood unit appears to be higher than red cell concentrates, but this is to some extent caused by the higher plasma content of whole blood and is not thought to be a clinically relevant problem for patients receiving only a few units. A number of studies demonstrate that dependent upon the leucocyte content of a red cell unit, leucocyte metabolites and enzymes are released and accumulate during storage. A detrimental influence on the integrity of the red cell membrane was found in several in vitro studies. Nevertheless, a significant improvement in red cell survival by leucocyte reduction was detected by only one group. Undoubtedly, nonhemolytic febrile transfusion reactions (NHFTR) are generally caused by an antibody-antigen interaction due to the transfusion of allogeneic buffy coat. On the other hand, there is some evidence that non-specific immunological mechanisms such as the release of histamine or cytokines are also capable of causing NHFTR. Thus, these reactions are expected to occur in autologous blood transfusion. However, so far, there are no data about the frequency and severity of these reactions and whether they are more likely to emerge after transfusion of blood units with a particular preparation. Blood transfusions can cause septic complications due to bacterial contamination of the transfused units. These fatal but rare complications may be reduced by pre-storage filtration of blood, but there is no indication that buffy coat reduction is effective. Three cases with septic complications have been reported after autologous transfusion, in two of which red cell concentrates (at least one was free of buffy coat) had been used. Thus, there is no justification for the conclusion that the risk of septic complications is increased by transfusion of whole blood. After all, whole blood and red cell concentrates exhibit only minor differences in relevant in vitro parameters. Hence, a higher incidence of adverse effects following the transfusion of autologous whole blood compared to autologous red cell concentrations is unlikely. Therefore, the 24 h in vivo recovery is considered to be the most valid criterion to assess the quality of red cell preparations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)
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Online J Curr Clin Trials · Jul 1996
Meta AnalysisConservative management of mechanical neck disorders. A systematic overview and meta-analysis.
This overview reports the efficacy of conservative treatments (drug therapy, manual therapy, patient education, physical medicine modalities) in reducing pain in adults with mechanical neck disorders. ⋯ Within the limits of methodologic quality, the best available evidence supports the use of manual therapies in combination with other treatments for short-term relief of neck pain. There is some support for the use of electromagnetic therapy and against the use of laser therapy. In general, other interventions have not been studied in enough detail adequately to assess efficacy or effectiveness. This overview provides the foundation for an evidence-based approach to practice. More robust design and methodology should be used in future research, in particular, the use of valid and reliable outcomes measures.
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Numerous articles have been published investigating the incidence of and risk factors for delirium after cardiac surgery. Smith and Dimsdale reviewed the literature on postcardiotomy delirium in 1987 using a meta-analysis of 44 research studies. However, doubts about their methods and results caused the authors to re-examine the literature using these 44 references as well as computerized literature searches to gather research and review papers from medical journals. ⋯ Therefore, in most cases, the results are not comparable. Only a small number of the studies that were examined fit the criteria for statistical meta-analysis. On the basis of our analysis, a tentative conclusion may be drawn that the incidence of postcardiotomy delirium has declined slightly and that no strong risk factors have yet been identified.