Residual pulmonary vascular obstruction and recurrence after acute pulmonary embolism: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data

BackgroundIn patients with a first, unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE), the optimal duration of anticoagulant therapy (AT) is controversial due to tightly balanced risks and benefits of indefinite anticoagulation. The objective of this study is to assess among patients with a first acute pulmonary embolism (PE) who received ≥3 months of AT and thereafter had a planar lung scan, whether residual pulmonary vascular obstruction (RPVO) is associated with VTE recurrence after discontinuation of AT.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a systematic review with a meta-analysis of individual participant data of contemporary studies evaluating the prognostic significance of RPVO in patients with a first acute PE. We will search from inception to 24 January 2018, PubMed, Medline, Embase and Cochrane’s Central Registry for Randomized Controlled Trials, CENTRAL for randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies. Two reviewers will conduct all screening and data collection independently. The methodological quality and risk of bias of eligible studies will be carefully and rigorously assessed using the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of Interventions tool. The primary objective will be to assess the relationship between RPVO on ventilation–perfusion scan after completion of at least 3 months of AT after an acute PE event, and the risk of an objectively confirmed symptomatic recurrent VTE (including deep vein thrombosis or PE) or death due to PE. The secondary objectives will include the assessment of the optimal RPVO cut-off and the risk of recurrent VTE, as well as the relationship between the relative change in RPVO between PE diagnosis and at discontinuation of AT (≥3 months) and risk of recurrent VTE.Ethics and disseminationThis study of secondary data does not require ethics approval. It will be presented internationally and published in the peer-reviewed literature.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017081080.

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Tolerability of duloxetine in the elderly and in adults: a protocol and preliminary results of a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials

10.21203/rs.3.rs-29775/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jean-Charles ROY ◽

Chloé Rousseau ◽

Alexis Jutel ◽

Florian Naudet ◽

Gabriel Robert

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Adverse Events ◽

Elderly Population ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Individual Participant Data ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Individual Participant

Abstract Background. Duloxetine is an antidepressant which benefits from a wide range of approval in elderly population while its safety of use in elderly population, compared to younger adults, is not clearly assessed. A comparison of tolerability of duloxetine between elderly and younger adults would help to rule on this issue. Methods and Design. This protocol outlines a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data (IPD) of all double-blind randomized controlled trials comparing the number of serious adverse events among individuals taking duloxetine in comparison to placebo between participants at least 65 years and younger adults in conditions approved by the European Medical Agency (EMA) and the Food Drug Administration (FDA). Secondarily, will be compared the number of any adverse events, clinical efficacy and quality of life between elderly and younger adults under duloxetine, in comparison to placebo. Relevant studies were selected on ClinicalTrials.gov, Clinicaltrialsregister.eu, data sharing platforms, FDA and EMA websites, and from systematic reviews and meta-analyses of duloxetine on PubMed, following Cochrane’s recommendations. Sponsors and authors from eligible studies were invited to share IPD on data sharing platform or directly with our research team. As data cannot be aggregate into a unique database, a two step-approach meta-analysis will be undertaken. Qualitative results from available data. 77 eligible randomized controlled trials were identified, representing 25303 participants. From online available data, 35 trials were assessed as being at an overall low risk of bias, 31 trials at an unclear risk of bias and 1 at high risk of bias. Evaluation of risk of bias was not feasible for 10 studies. Conclusion. This study would represent the first meta-analysis investigating the safety of duloxetine in elderly population across all conditions approved by European and American regulatory authorities with an overall low risk of bias. Registration. PROSPERO: 2019 CRD42019130488.

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Direct Oral Anticoagulant Versus Low Molecular Weight Heparin for the Treatment of Cancer-Associated Thromboembolism: 2021 Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2021-150696 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 668-668

Author(s):

Corinne Frere ◽

Dominique Farge ◽

Deborah Schrag ◽

Pedro H. Prata ◽

Jean M. Connors

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Major Bleeding ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Low Molecular Weight ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Recurrent Vte

Abstract Introduction: International clinical practice guidelines (ITAC, ASCO, NCCN and ASH) have progressively endorsed direct factor Xa inhibitors (edoxaban, rivaroxaban and apixaban) as an alternative to monotherapy with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer patients. The results from new randomized controlled trials (RCT) which assessed the efficacy and the safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) compared to LMWH for the treatment of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) were released during the past months. We therefore performed an updated meta-analysis of all publicly available data from RCT comparing DOAC with LMWH for the treatment of CAT. Methods: Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and conference proceedings from all languages were searched up to August 2, 2021. Search strategy, study selection, data extraction and statistical analysis were performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The primary efficacy outcome was recurrent VTE, and the primary safety outcome was major bleeding. Secondary outcomes included clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (CRNMB), and all-cause mortality. Risk of bias was assessed by using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool in randomized controlled trials version 2.0. Pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using the Mantel-Haenszel method of Der Simonian and Laird within a random-effect model. Heterogeneity of effect size across studies was assessed using the I 2 statistic. Publication bias was assessed by visual inspection of funnel plots. All the statistical analyses were performed with the RevMan 5.3 software. Results: Six RCT comparing the efficacy and safety of DOAC versus LMWH, which enrolled a total of 3,690 cancer patients with acute VTE (1850 randomized to the DOAC arms and 1840 randomized to the LMWH arms), were included in the pooled analysis. Main study characteristics are summarized in Table 1. During a follow-up of 3 to 6 months under anticoagulant treatment, recurrent VTE occurred in 99 of 1,850 (5.3%) patients receiving DOACs versus 152 of 1,840 (8.3%) patients receiving LMWH. The risk of recurrent VTE was significantly lower with DOAC than with LMWH (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.52-0.85, p = 0.001, I 2 = 0%, Figure 1A). Major bleeding occurred in 78 (4.2%) patients with CAT treated with DOAC versus 65 (3.5%) patients treated with LMWH. The risk of major bleeding was non significantly higher with DOAC (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.85-1.70, p = 0.31, I 2= 7%, Figure 1B). CRNMB was more frequent in cancer patients receiving DOAC compared to those receiving LMWH (10.3% versus 6.3%, RR 1.63, 95% CI 1.25-2.11, p = 0.0003, I²= 6%, Figure 1C). The rates of all-cause mortality did not differ between the two groups (23.6% in the DOAC arms versus 23.3% in the LMWH arms, RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.89-1.16, p = 0.80, I² = 13%, Figure 1D). Conclusions: In this August 2021 meta-analysis of 3,690 patients treated for CAT, DOAC significantly reduced the risk of recurrent VTE compared with LMWH, without increasing the risk of major bleeding. However, as previously highlighted, the use of DOAC was associated with an increased risk of CRNMB. Our results provide additional evidence for the use of DOAC as a safe and effective first-line option for the treatment of CAT in patients who are not at high risk of bleeding. These findings may increase the level of certainty for the evidence used in the national or international clinical practice guidelines supporting the use of DOAC in cancer patients with CAT. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Connors: CSL Behring: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria; Alnylam: Consultancy; takeda: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Abbott: Consultancy.

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Relationship between total plasma homocysteine and the risk of aneurysms – a meta-analysis

VASA ◽

10.1024/0301-1526/a000891 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Hanji Zhang ◽

Dexin Yin ◽

Yue Zhao ◽

Yezhou Li ◽

Dejiang Yao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Single Species ◽

Total Plasma ◽

Control Groups ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Randomized Controlled Studies ◽

The Difference ◽

The Relationship ◽

Healthy Participants

Summary: Our meta-analysis focused on the relationship between homocysteine (Hcy) level and the incidence of aneurysms and looked at the relationship between smoking, hypertension and aneurysms. A systematic literature search of Pubmed, Web of Science, and Embase databases (up to March 31, 2020) resulted in the identification of 19 studies, including 2,629 aneurysm patients and 6,497 healthy participants. Combined analysis of the included studies showed that number of smoking, hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) in aneurysm patients was higher than that in the control groups, and the total plasma Hcy level in aneurysm patients was also higher. These findings suggest that smoking, hypertension and HHcy may be risk factors for the development and progression of aneurysms. Although the heterogeneity of meta-analysis was significant, it was found that the heterogeneity might come from the difference between race and disease species through subgroup analysis. Large-scale randomized controlled studies of single species and single disease species are needed in the future to supplement the accuracy of the results.

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Diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance angiography for acute pulmonary embolism - a systematic review and meta-analysis

VASA ◽

10.1024/0301-1526/a000509 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 149-154 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jie Li ◽

Lei Feng ◽

Jiangbo Li ◽

Jian Tang

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Embolism ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance Angiography ◽

Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Acute Pulmonary Embolism ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Likelihood Ratios ◽

Summary Receiver Operating Characteristic ◽

Acute Pe ◽

Limited Sensitivity

Abstract. Background: The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted that included studies from January 2000 to August 2015 using the electronic databases PubMed, Embase and Springer link. The summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve, sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratios (PLR), negative likelihood ratios (NLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) as well as the 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of MRA for acute PE. Meta-disc software version 1.4 was used to analyze the data. Results: Five studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity (86 %, 95 % CI: 81 % to 90 %) and specificity (99 %, 95 % CI: 98 % to 100 %) demonstrated that MRA diagnosis had limited sensitivity and high specificity in the detection of acute PE. The pooled estimate of PLR (41.64, 95 % CI: 17.97 to 96.48) and NLR (0.17, 95 % CI: 0.11 to 0.27) provided evidence for the low missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis rates of MRA for acute PE. The high diagnostic accuracy of MRA for acute PE was demonstrated by the overall DOR (456.51, 95 % CI: 178.38 - 1168.31) and SROC curves (AUC = 0.9902 ± 0.0061). Conclusions: MRA can be used for the diagnosis of acute PE. However, due to limited sensitivity, MRA cannot be used as a stand-alone test to exclude acute PE.

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Adjuvant Transarterial Chemoembolization Following Curative-Intent Hepatectomy Versus Hepatectomy Alone for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13122984 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 2984

Author(s):

Stepan M. Esagian ◽

Christos D. Kakos ◽

Emmanouil Giorgakis ◽

Lyle Burdine ◽

J. Camilo Barreto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Transarterial Chemoembolization ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Curative Intent ◽

Randomized Controlled

The role of adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing hepatectomy is currently unclear. We performed a systematic review of the literature using the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Random-effects meta-analysis was carried out to compare the overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients with resectable HCC undergoing hepatectomy followed by adjuvant TACE vs. hepatectomy alone in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. Meta-regression analyses were performed to explore the effect of hepatitis B viral status, microvascular invasion, type of resection (anatomic vs. parenchymal-sparing), and tumor size on the outcomes. Ten eligible RCTs, reporting on 1216 patients in total, were identified. The combination of hepatectomy and adjuvant TACE was associated with superior OS (hazard ratio (HR): 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52 to 0.85; p < 0.001) and RFS (HR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.56 to 0.88; p < 0.001) compared to hepatectomy alone. There were significant concerns regarding the risk of bias in most of the included studies. Overall, adjuvant TACE may be associated with an oncologic benefit in select HCC patients. However, the applicability of these findings may be limited to Eastern Asian populations, due to the geographically restricted sample. High-quality multinational RCTs, as well as predictive tools to optimize patient selection, are necessary before adjuvant TACE can be routinely implemented into standard practice. PROSPERO Registration ID: CRD42021245758.

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Efficacy and moderators of efficacy of trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapies in children and adolescents: protocol for an individual participant data meta-analysis from randomised trials

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047212 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e047212

Author(s):

Anke de Haan ◽

Caitlin Hitchcock ◽

Richard Meiser-Stedman ◽

Markus A Landolt ◽

Isla Kuhn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Children And Adolescents ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Behavioural Therapy ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Randomised Trials ◽

First Line ◽

Cognitive Behavioural ◽

Individual Participant ◽

Behavioural Therapies ◽

First Line Treatment

IntroductionTrauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapies are the first-line treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents. Nevertheless, open questions remain with respect to efficacy: why does this first-line treatment not work for everyone? For whom does it work best? Individual clinical trials often do not provide sufficient statistical power to examine and substantiate moderating factors. To overcome the issue of limited power, an individual participant data meta-analysis of randomised trials evaluating forms of trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy in children and adolescents aged 6–18 years will be conducted.Methods and analysisWe will update the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guideline literature search from 2018 with an electronic search in the databases PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and CINAHL with the terms (trauma* OR stress*) AND (cognitive therap* OR psychotherap*) AND (trial* OR review*). Electronic searches will be supplemented by a comprehensive grey literature search in archives and trial registries. Only randomised trials that used any manualised psychological treatment—that is a trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy for children and adolescents—will be included. The primary outcome variable will be child-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) post-treatment. Proxy-reports (teacher, parent and caregiver) will be analysed separately. Secondary outcomes will include follow-up assessments of PTSS, PTSD diagnosis and symptoms of comorbid disorders such as depression, anxiety-related and externalising problems. Random-effects models applying restricted maximum likelihood estimation will be used for all analyses. We will use the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool to measure risk of bias.Ethics and disseminationContributing study authors need to have permission to share anonymised data. Contributing studies will be required to remove patient identifiers before providing their data. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at international conferences.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019151954.

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Effects of Supervised Multimodal Exercise Interventions on Cancer-Related Fatigue: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2015/328636 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

José Francisco Meneses-Echávez ◽

Emilio González-Jiménez ◽

Robinson Ramírez-Vélez

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Exercise Interventions ◽

Training Interventions ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Cancer Related Fatigue

Objective. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most common and devastating problem in cancer patients even after successful treatment. This study aimed to determine the effects of supervised multimodal exercise interventions on cancer-related fatigue through a systematic review and meta-analysis.Design. A systematic review was conducted to determine the effectiveness of multimodal exercise interventions on CRF. Databases of PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE, and OVID were searched between January and March 2014 to retrieve randomized controlled trials. Risk of bias was evaluated using the PEDro scale.Results. Nine studiesn=772were included in both systematic review and meta-analysis. Multimodal interventions including aerobic exercise, resistance training, and stretching improved CRF symptoms (SMD=-0.23; 95% CI: −0.37 to −0.09;P=0.001). These effects were also significant in patients undergoing chemotherapyP<0.0001. Nonsignificant differences were found for resistance training interventionsP=0.30. Slight evidence of publication bias was observedP=0.04. The studies had a low risk of bias (PEDro scale mean score of 6.4 (standard deviation (SD) ± 1.0)).Conclusion. Supervised multimodal exercise interventions including aerobic, resistance, and stretching exercises are effective in controlling CRF. These findings suggest that these exercise protocols should be included as a crucial part of the rehabilitation programs for cancer survivors and patients during anticancer treatments.

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Therapies for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

The Open Ophthalmology Journal ◽

10.2174/1874364101711010346 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 346-354 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kannan Sridharan ◽

Gowri Sivaramakrishnan

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Meibomian Gland ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Present Review ◽

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Schirmer’S Test ◽

Randomized Controlled

Introduction: Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is a common, often overlooked, chronic condition affecting eyes for which various therapies are being evaluated. Considering the absence of a systematic review and meta-analysis, the present review was carried out. Methods: An appropriate search strategy eligibility criteria were framed and electronic databases were scrutinized for appropriate literature. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) enrolling patients diagnosed with MGD were included. Outcome measures were Tear Break Up Time (TBUT), Schirmer’s test, Meibomian Gland (MG) secretion score, MG plugging score, OSDI and SPEED. Cochrane’s tool was used to assess the risk of bias and Forest plot were generated either with fixed or random effects model, with Standardized Mean Difference (SMD). Results: TBUTs, Schirmer’s test and OSDI scores for systemic antimicrobials with placebo were 1.58 [1.33, 1.83], 2.93 [0.78, 5.09] and -3.58 [-4.28, -2.89] respectively. No quantitative synthesis was attempted for either mebiomian plugging or meibomian secretion scores and no significant changes were observed with any other outcome parameter. Conclusion: Only the systemic antimicrobials were found to improve the clinical features of meibomian gland dysfunction. Varying effects of different therapeutic agents (heat therapies, omega-3-fatty acids and castor oil) were identified for MGD but the risk of bias pertaining to randomization and allocation concealment was found to be associated with most of the current RCTs. More high quality evidence is required to confirm the findings of the present review.

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Efficacy of Acupuncture for Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The American Journal of Chinese Medicine ◽

10.1142/s0192415x21500543 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Sung-A Kim ◽

Sook-Hyun Lee ◽

Jang-Hoon Kim ◽

Maurits van den Noort ◽

Peggy Bosch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Methodological Quality ◽

Quality Index ◽

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ◽

Acupuncture Treatment ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Sham Acupuncture ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Pharmacological Treatments ◽

Medical Databases ◽

Randomized Controlled

Patients with insomnia frequently use acupuncture as an alternative treatment to pharmacotherapy globally. The aim of this paper is to assess the effect of acupuncture on insomnia. Seven medical databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CNKI, RISS, NDSL, and OASIS, were used to identify studies published through July 09, 2020. Twenty-four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this qualitative review comparing acupuncture to either pharmacotherapy or sham-acupuncture therapy. Methodological quality was assessed, using the Cochrane risk of bias (ROB). In the subsequent quantitative meta-analysis of studies comparing acupuncture versus pharmacotherapy, fifteen RCTs demonstrated that acupuncture had a significant effect on patients with insomnia as assessed by the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) (RR: –0.74; 95% CI: –1.07 to –0.40; [Formula: see text] ¡0.0001; [Formula: see text] = 89%; [Formula: see text] = 1475). A subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant effect after weeks 1 and 2, but six studies found that acupuncture had a significant effect insomnia at week 3 (RR: –0.97; 95% CI: –1.65 to –0.28; [Formula: see text] = 0.006; [Formula: see text] = 91%; [Formula: see text] = 463) and nine studies demonstrated a significant effect at week 4 (RR: –0.70; 95% CI: –1.15 to –0.25; [Formula: see text] = 0.002; [Formula: see text] = 85%; [Formula: see text] = 594). These results suggest that insomnia patients may experience significant improvement in symptoms after more than three weeks of acupuncture treatment compared to pharmacological treatments.

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Abstract 12901: Novel Oral Anticoagulants Are Associated With Decreased Recurrence of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Cancer: An Updated Meta-Analysis

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.142.suppl_3.12901 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽

Author(s):

Sunil Upadhaya ◽

Seetharamprasad Madala ◽

Sunil Badami

Keyword(s):

Venous Thromboembolism ◽

Major Bleeding ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Novel Oral Anticoagulants ◽

P Value ◽

Patients With Cancer ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Recurrent Vte

Introduction: Patients with cancer are at high risk for recurrent thromboembolic phenomenon. Use of novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) for treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in such patients is controversial. We conducted this updated meta-analysis to evaluate the pooled efficacy and safety of NOAC in patients with cancer. Methods: We did systematic search of PubMed and Cochrane library databases for randomized controlled trials comparing NOAC with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for VTE treatment in cancer patients till April 2020. The efficacy outcomes were recurrent VTE and all-cause mortality rates, and the primary safety outcome was incidence of major bleeding rate. Results: Four randomized controlled studies comparing NOAC with LMWH (1446 patients in NOAC group and 1448 patients in LMWH group) were included in our study. Use of NOAC lead to significant reduction in recurrent VTE rate (odds ratio (OR): 0.55 [0.36-0.84], I 2 = 45 %, p value = 0.006) (Figure 1). However, we did not find any significant difference in rate of major bleeding (OR: 1.30 [0.76-2.23], I 2 = 35%, p value = 0.34) (Figure 2) and all-cause mortality (OR: 1 [0.80 - 1.26], I 2 = 33%, p value = 0.98). Conclusions: This updated meta-analysis showed comparatively lower pooled recurrent VTE rate in patient being treated with NOAC, whereas similar rates of major bleeding and all-cause death. NOAC are more efficacious and has similar safety profile compared with LMWH.

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