Prehospital haemostatic dressings for trauma: a systematic review

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 449-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam J Boulton ◽  
Christopher T Lewis ◽  
David N Naumann ◽  
Mark J Midwinter
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Safety Data ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Prehospital Treatment ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Randomised Controlled

BackgroundHaemorrhage is a major cause of mortality and morbidity following both military and civilian trauma. Haemostatic dressings may offer effective haemorrhage control as part of prehospital treatment.AimTo conduct a systematic review of the clinical literature to assess the prehospital use of haemostatic dressings in controlling traumatic haemorrhage, and determine whether any haemostatic dressings are clinically superior.MethodsMEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched using predetermined criteria. The reference lists of all returned review articles were screened for eligible studies. Two authors independently undertook the search, performed data extraction, and risk of bias and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation quality assessments. Meta-analysis could not be undertaken due to study and clinical heterogeneity.ResultsOur search yielded 470 studies, of which 17 met eligibility criteria, and included 809 patients (469 military and 340 civilian). There were 15 observational studies, 1 case report and 1 randomised controlled trial. Indications for prehospital haemostatic dressing use, wound location, mechanism of injury, and source of bleeding were variable. Seven different haemostatic dressings were reported with QuikClot Combat Gauze being the most frequently applied (420 applications). Cessation of bleeding ranged from 67% to 100%, with a median of 90.5%. Adverse events were only reported with QuikClot granules, resulting in burns. No adverse events were reported with QuikClot Combat Gauze use in three studies. Seven of the 17 studies did not report safety data. All studies were at risk of bias and assessed of ‘very low’ to ‘moderate’ quality.ConclusionsHaemostatic dressings offer effective prehospital treatment for traumatic haemorrhage. QuikClot Combat Gauze may be justified as the optimal agent due to the volume of clinical data and its safety profile, but there is a lack of high-quality clinical evidence, and randomised controlled trials are warranted.Level of evidenceSystematic review, level IV.

scholarly journals Real-world comparative effectiveness of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine versus FOLFIRINOX in advanced pancreatic cancer: a systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 175883591985036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Gabriela Chiorean ◽  
Winson Y. Cheung ◽  
Guido Giordano ◽  
George Kim ◽  
Salah-Eddin Al-Batran
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Real World ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Safety Data ◽  
Advanced Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
First Line ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Grade 3

Background: No clinical trial has directly compared nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine (nab-P/G) with FOLFIRINOX (fluorouracil/leucovorin/oxaliplatin/irinotecan) in metastatic or advanced pancreatic cancer (mPC or aPC). We conducted a systematic review of real-world studies comparing these regimens in the first-line setting. Methods: Embase and MEDLINE databases through 22 January 2019, and Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium 2019 abstracts were searched for real-world, retrospective studies comparing first-line nab-P/G versus FOLFIRINOX in mPC or aPC that met specific parameters. Studies with radiotherapy were excluded. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: Of 818 records initially identified, 35 were duplicates and 749 did not meet the eligibility criteria, mostly because they were either not comparative ( n = 356) or not first line ( n = 245). The remaining 34 studies (21 mPC; 13 aPC) assessed >6915 patients who received nab-P/G or FOLFIRINOX. In the studies identified, the median overall survival (OS) reached 14.4 and 15.9 months with nab-P/G and FOLFIRINOX, respectively, and median progression-free survival reached 8.5 and 11.7 months, respectively. Safety data were reported in 14 studies (2205 patients), including 8 single-institutional studies. In most single-institutional studies that reported safety data, rates were higher with FOLFIRINOX versus nab-P/G for grade 3/4 neutropenia (five of six studies) and febrile neutropenia (all three studies), while rates of grade 3/4 peripheral neuropathy were higher with nab-P/G in four of seven studies. Conclusions: Although FOLFIRINOX was associated with slightly longer median OS in more studies, the differences, when available, were not statistically significant. Therefore, a randomized, controlled trial is warranted. Toxicity profile differences represent key considerations for treatment decisions.

scholarly journals What works to promote walking at the population level? A systematic review

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
pp. 807-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlie Foster ◽  
Paul Kelly ◽  
Hamish A B Reid ◽  
Nia Roberts ◽  
Elaine M Murtagh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mass Media ◽  
English Language ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Community Initiatives ◽  
School Based ◽  
Randomised Controlled

ObjectiveInterventions to promote walking have focused on individual or group-based approaches, often via the randomised controlled trial design. Walking can also be promoted using population health approaches. We systematically reviewed the effectiveness of population approaches to promote walking among individuals and populations.DesignA systematic review.Data sources10 electronic databases searched from January 1990 to March 2017.Eligibility criteriaEligibility criteria include pre-experimental and postexperimental studies of the effects of population interventions to change walking, and the effects must have been compared with a ‘no intervention’, or comparison group/area/population, or variation in exposure; duration of ≥12 months of follow up; participants in free-living populations; and English-language articles.Results12 studies were identified from mostly urban high-income countries (one focusing on using tax, incentivising the loss of parking spaces; and one using policy only, permitting off-leash dogs in city parks). Five studies used mass media with either environment (n=2) or community (n=3) approaches. Four studies used environmental changes that were combined with policies. One study had scaled up school-based approaches to promote safe routes to schools. We found mass media, community initiatives and environmental change approaches increased walking (range from 9 to 75 min/week).

scholarly journals A systematic review of performance-enhancing pharmacologicals and biotechnologies in the Army

2017 ◽  
Vol 164 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Ko ◽  
KE Hunter ◽  
AM Scott ◽  
M Ayson ◽  
ML Willson
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Biotechnological Products ◽  
Army Personnel ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Clinical Trials Registry ◽  
Performance Results

IntroductionIn 2015, the Australian Army commissioned a systematic review to assess the evidence on effectiveness and safety of pharmacological and biotechnological products for cognitive enhancement specifically in Army personnel.MethodsSearches for studies examining biotechnological and pharmacological products in Army populations were conducted in December 2015. Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched without date or language restrictions. WHO’s International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched to identify ongoing trials. Studies meeting inclusion criteria were evaluated for risk of bias using Cochrane’s Risk of Bias tool. Due to heterogeneity of findings, meta-analysis could not be conducted. Findings were synthesised narratively and by vote-counting method.ResultsSixteen pharmacological enhancement products were evaluated in 22 randomised controlled trials (RCTs), involving 1284 personnel. Only three of the studies were published since 2010. The interventions evaluated were varied, including supplements (eg, carbohydrate), stimulants (eg, caffeine) and hormones (eg, melatonin). Generally, caffeine provided an improvement in performance compared with placebo on 5/7 reported cognitive outcomes, followed by levothyroxine (four cognitive outcomes) and prazosin (three cognitive outcomes). Performance results were mixed (finding an improvement and no effect in comparison to placebo) for caffeine and melatonin on two outcomes. No evidence was found pertaining to biotechnological products. Studies rarely reported safety outcomes (eg, adverse events and addiction).ConclusionFindings from this review need to be interpreted with considerable caution. Future studies should include outcomes such as acute and long-term adverse events, and should evaluate cognitive performance using cognitive tests that are specific to the Army population.

scholarly journals Effects of cosmetic and other camouflage interventions on appearance-related and psychological outcomes among adults with visible differences in appearance: a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e046634
Author(s):  
Shadi Gholizadeh ◽  
Danielle B Rice ◽  
Andrea Carboni-Jiménez ◽  
Linda Kwakkenbos ◽  
Jill Boruff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Psychological Outcomes ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Poor Reporting

ObjectiveVisible differences in appearance are associated with poor social and psychological outcomes. Effectiveness of non-surgical cosmetic and other camouflage interventions is poorly understood. The objective was to evaluate effects of cosmetic and other camouflage interventions on appearance-related outcomes, general psychological outcomes and adverse effects for adults with visible appearance differences.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesMEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), PsycINFO (Ovid) CINAHL and Cochrane Central databases searched from inception to 24 October 2020. Two reviewers independently reviewed titles and abstracts and full texts.Eligibility criteriaRandomised controlled trials in any language on non-surgical cosmetic or other camouflage interventions that reported appearance-related outcomes, general psychological outcomes or adverse effects for adults with visible appearance differences.Data extraction and synthesisTwo reviewers independently extracted data, assessed intervention reporting using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist, and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Outcomes included appearance-related outcomes, general psychological outcomes (eg, depression, anxiety) and adverse effects.ResultsOne head-to-head trial and five trials with waiting list or routine care comparators were included. All had unclear or high risk of bias in at least five of seven domains. Effect sizes could not be determined for most outcomes due to poor reporting. Between-group statistically significant differences were not reported for any appearance-related outcomes and for only 5 of 25 (20%) other psychological outcomes. Given heterogeneity of populations and interventions, poor reporting and high risk of bias, quantitative synthesis was not possible.ConclusionsConclusions about effectiveness of non-surgical cosmetic or other camouflage interventions could not be drawn. Well-designed and conducted trials are needed. Without such evidence, clinicians or other qualified individuals should engage with patients interested in cosmetic interventions in shared decision making, outlining potential benefits and harms, and the lack of evidence to inform decisions.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018103421.

scholarly journals Effects of low-level light therapy on dentin hypersensitivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiyi Shan ◽  
Juanjuan Ji ◽  
Colman McGrath ◽  
Min Gu ◽  
Yanqi Yang
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Light Therapy ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Dentin Hypersensitivity ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Low Level Light Therapy ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Objective To investigate the treatment efficacy of low-level light therapy on dentin hypersensitivity. Materials and methods Following the PRISMA guideline, six electronic databases supplemented with bibliographies were searched till December 2020. Two reviewers performed the screenings independently with a reliability assessment. Studies fulfilling the pre-registered eligibility criteria were included for risk-of-bias assessment and data synthesis. Results Thirty-five articles ultimately informed this systematic review based on the eligibility criteria and underwent risk-of-bias assessment (ĸ = 0.86). Quantitative results were deduced by meta-analysis of 20 randomised controlled trials: LLLT showed favourable outcomes compared to placebos for immediate (SMD: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.47 to 1.70), interim (SMD: 1.32, 95% CI: 0.41 to 2.23), and persistent efficacies (SMD: 2.86, 95% CI: 1.98 to 3.74). However, substantial heterogeneity existed among included studies (I2: 64–95%). Regarding comparisons with other desensitising strategies, LLLT showed no significant benefits in DH alleviation over others except fluorides for interim efficacy (SMD: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.52) and persistent efficacy (SMD: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.86). Conclusions This systematic review shows that LLLT has positive immediate, interim, and persistent DH-treatment efficacies compared with placebo. No superior treatment effects of LLLT were observed except fluoride agent use. Further studies are warranted—RCTs with low risk of bias, consistent technical settings, comprehensive assessments, and long follow-up periods. Clinical relevance This systematic review bridges a critical research gap by analysing clinical evidence in the DH-alleviating efficacy of LLLT in comparison with placebo and other in-office desensitising strategies.

scholarly journals Saline in Acute Bronchiolitis RCT and Economic evaluation: hypertonic saline in acute bronchiolitis – randomised controlled trial and systematic review

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (66) ◽  
pp. 1-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark L Everard ◽  
Daniel Hind ◽  
Kelechi Ugonna ◽  
Jennifer Freeman ◽  
Mike Bradburn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
Technology Assessment ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Acute Bronchiolitis ◽  
Randomised Controlled

BackgroundAcute bronchiolitis is the most common cause of hospitalisation in infancy. Supportive care and oxygen are the cornerstones of management. A Cochrane review concluded that the use of nebulised 3% hypertonic saline (HS) may significantly reduce the duration of hospitalisation.ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that HS reduces the time to when infants were assessed as being fit for discharge, defined as in air with saturations of > 92% for 6 hours, by 25%.DesignParallel-group, pragmatic randomised controlled trial, cost–utility analysis and systematic review.SettingTen UK hospitals.ParticipantsInfants with acute bronchiolitis requiring oxygen therapy were allocated within 4 hours of admission.InterventionsSupportive care with oxygen as required, minimal handling and fluid administration as appropriate to the severity of the disease, 3% nebulised HS every ± 6 hours.Main outcome measuresThe trial primary outcome was time until the infant met objective discharge criteria. Secondary end points included time to discharge and adverse events. The costs analysed related to length of stay (LoS), readmissions, nebulised saline and other NHS resource use. Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated using an existing utility decrement derived for hospitalisation in children, together with the time spent in hospital in the trial.Data sourcesWe searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and other databases from inception or from 2010 onwards, searched ClinicalTrials.gov and other registries and hand-searchedChest,PaediatricsandJournal of Paediatricsto January 2015.Review methodsWe included randomised/quasi-randomised trials which compared HS versus saline (± adjunct treatment) or no treatment. We used a fixed-effects model to combine mean differences for LoS and assessed statistical heterogeneity using theI2statistic.ResultsThe trial randomised 158 infants to HS (n = 141 analysed) and 159 to standard care (n = 149 analysed). There was no difference between the two arms in the time to being declared fit for discharge [median 76.6 vs. 75.9 hours, hazard ratio (HR) 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75 to 1.20] or to actual discharge (median 88.5 vs. 88.7 hours, HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.23). There was no difference in adverse events. One infant developed bradycardia with desaturation associated with HS. Mean hospital costs were £2595 and £2727 for the control and intervention groups, respectively (p = 0.657). Incremental QALYs were 0.0000175 (p = 0.757). An incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £7.6M per QALY gained was not appreciably altered by sensitivity analyses. The systematic review comprised 15 trials (n = 1922) including our own. HS reduced the mean LoS by –0.36 days (95% CI –0.50 to –0.22 days). High levels of heterogeneity (I2 = 78%) indicate that the result should be treated cautiously.ConclusionsIn this trial, HS had no clinical benefit on LoS or readiness for discharge and was not a cost-effective treatment for acute bronchiolitis. Claims that HS achieves small reductions in LoS must be treated with scepticism.Future workWell-powered randomised controlled trials of high-flow oxygen are needed.Study registrationThis study is registered as NCT01469845 and CRD42014007569.Funding detailsThis project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme and will be published in full inHealth Technology Assessment; Vol. 19, No. 66. See the HTA programme website for further project information.

scholarly journals Comparative Effectiveness of Pharmacological Interventions for Covid-19: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franco De Crescenzo ◽  
Laura Amato ◽  
Fabio Cruciani ◽  
Luke P Moynihan ◽  
Gian Loreto D’Alò ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Pharmacological Intervention ◽  
Pharmacological Interventions ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Background: Several pharmacological interventions are now under investigation for the treatment of Covid-19, and the evidence is evolving rapidly. Our aim is to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of these drugs.Methods and Findings: We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis searching Medline, Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Covid-19 register, international trial registers, medRxiv, bioRxiv, and arXiv up to December 10, 2020. We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing any pharmacological intervention for Covid-19 against any drugs, placebo or standard care (SC). Data extracted from published reports were assessed for risk of bias in accordance with the Cochrane tool, and using the GRADE framework. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs). We estimated summary risk ratio (RR) using pairwise and network meta-analysis with random effects (Prospero, number CRD42020176914). We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis searching Medline, Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Covid-19 register, international trial registers, medRxiv, bioRxiv, and arXiv up to December 10, 2020. We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing any pharmacological intervention for Covid-19 against any drugs, placebo or standard care (SC). Data extracted from published reports were assessed for risk of bias in accordance with the Cochrane tool, and using the GRADE framework. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs). We estimated summary risk ratio (RR) using pairwise and network meta-analysis with random effects (Prospero, number CRD42020176914). We included 96 RCTs, comprising of 34,501 patients. The network meta-analysis showed in terms of all-cause mortality, when compared to SC or placebo, only corticosteroids significantly reduced the mortality rate (RR 0.90, 95%CI 0.83, 0.97; moderate certainty of evidence). Corticosteroids significantly reduced the mortality rate also when compared to hydroxychloroquine (RR 0.83, 95%CI 0.74, 0.94; moderate certainty of evidence). Remdesivir proved to be better in terms of SAEs when compared to SC or placebo (RR 0.75, 95%CI 0.63, 0.89; high certainty of evidence) and plasma (RR 0.57, 95%CI 0.34, 0.94; high certainty of evidence). The combination of lopinavir and ritonavir proved to reduce SAEs when compared to plasma (RR 0.49, 95%CI 0.25, 0.95; high certainty of evidence). Most of the RCTs were at unclear risk of bias (42 of 96), one third were at high risk of bias (34 of 96) and 20 were at low risk of bias. Certainty of evidence ranged from high to very low.Conclusion: At present, corticosteroids reduced all-cause mortality in patients with Covid-19, with a moderate certainty of evidence. Remdesivir appeared to be a safer option than SC or placebo, while plasma was associated with safety concerns. These preliminary evidence-based observations should guide clinical practice until more data are made public.

Gelatin tannate for acute diarrhoea and gastroenteritis in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
pp. archdischild-2018-316385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan D Florez ◽  
Javier M Sierra ◽  
Laura F Niño-Serna
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Acute Diarrhoea ◽  
Stool Frequency ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Randomised Controlled

ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness and safety of gelatin tannate (GT) for reducing the duration of the acute diarrhoea and gastroenteritis (ADG) in children.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesMEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, LILACS and grey literature, published from inception to October 2018. No language restrictions.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesRandomised controlled trials in children with ADG, comparing GT with placebo.ResultsOf 797 titles identified, we included three studies (276 children). We performed a random effects model meta-analysis for the main outcome (diarrhoea duration). We did not find significant differences between GT and placebo for diarrhoea duration (mean difference (MD)=−15.85 hours; 95% CI −42.24 to 14.82, I2=92%; three studies), stool frequency at day 2 (MD=0.11 stools/day; 95% CI −0.39 to 0.62: I2=26%; two studies), diarrhoea at day 3 (risk ratio [RR]=0.46; 95% CI 0.06 to 3.47: I2=73%; two studies), vomiting (RR=1.31; 95% CI 0.95 to 1.80: I2=0%; two studies) or adverse events (RR=0.86; 95% CI 0.27 to 2.66: I2=0%; two studies). Most common adverse events included abdominal pain and nausea.ConclusionThe effect of GT was no different to placebo for mean diarrhoea duration (low certainty on the evidence) and stool frequency at day 2 (high certainty) and for the presence of diarrhoea at day 3 (very low certainty) of vomiting (moderate certainty) and of adverse events (low certainty).PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018087902.

scholarly journals Adverse events associated with administration of vasopressor medications through a peripheral intravenous catheter: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Critical Care ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria S. Owen ◽  
Brianna K. Rosgen ◽  
Stephana J. Cherak ◽  
Andre Ferland ◽  
Henry T. Stelfox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Prevalence Studies ◽  
Incidence Proportion ◽  
Subgroup Analyses

Abstract Background It is unclear whether vasopressors can be safely administered through a peripheral intravenous (PIV). Systematic review and meta-analysis methodology was used to examine the incidence of local anatomic adverse events associated with PIV vasopressor administration in patients of any age cared for in any acute care environment. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Central Register of controlled trials, and the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects were searched without restriction from inception to October 2019. References of included studies and related reviews, as well as relevant conference proceedings were also searched. Studies were included if they were: (1) cohort, quasi-experimental, or randomized controlled trial study design; (2) conducted in humans of any age or clinical setting; and (3) reported on local anatomic adverse events associated with PIV vasopressor administration. Risk of bias was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials or the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for prevalence studies where appropriate. Incidence estimates were pooled using random effects meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were used to explore sources of heterogeneity. Results Twenty-three studies were included in the systematic review, of which 16 and 7 described adults and children, respectively. Meta-analysis from 11 adult studies including 16,055 patients demonstrated a pooled incidence proportion of adverse events associated with PIV vasopressor administration as 1.8% (95% CI 0.1–4.8%, I2 = 93.7%). In children, meta-analysis from four studies and 388 patients demonstrated a pooled incidence proportion of adverse events as 3.3% (95% CI 0.0–10.1%, I2 = 82.4%). Subgroup analyses did not detect any statistically significant effects associated with stratification based on differences in clinical location, risk of bias or design between studies, PIV location and size, or vasopressor type or duration. Most studies had high or some concern for risk of bias. Conclusion The incidence of adverse events associated with PIV vasopressor administration is low. Additional research is required to examine the effects of PIV location and size, vasopressor type and dose, and patient characteristics on the safety of PIV vasopressor administration.

Acupuncture in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwan Leung Chia ◽  
Rex Pui Kin Lam ◽  
Chung Kwun Lam ◽  
Sik Hon Tsui
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trials ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Assessment Development ◽  
Bibliographic Search ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Introduction A comprehensive review of both English and Chinese language literature to inform acupuncture practice in emergency department (ED) settings is lacking. Accordingly, we aimed to conduct a systematic review of English and Chinese randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture use in the ED. Methods Four English databases (Embase, PubMed, AMED and CENTRAL) and two Chinese databases (CNKI and Wanfang) were systematically searched using the keywords ‘acupuncture’ and ‘emergency department’, followed by a bibliographic search of references. The data were extracted and assessed by two independent authors. RCTs were selected based on pre-defined criteria. Data were extracted and a risk of bias assessment was performed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The quality of evidence was rated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results In total, 1461 articles were screened and six RCTs involving 651 patients were included. For various acute pain conditions, acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture, more effective than intravenous morphine, comparable to conventional ED treatment, and superior to standard ED care alone when used on an adjuvant basis; however, the overall level of evidence was low. Studies that applied acupuncture in hypertension and cardiac arrest were deemed to be at high risk of bias, and the level of evidence for these outcomes was very low. No major adverse events were reported in the included studies. Conclusion There is a lack of high-quality evidence to support the use of acupuncture in the ED. Multicentre RCTs with rigorous designs are warranted.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document