Chest
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Review Meta Analysis
Diagnostic accuracy and safety of semirigid thoracoscopy in exudative pleural effusions: a meta-analysis.
The usefulness of semirigid thoracoscopy in undiagnosed exudative pleural effusions (EPEs) has been variably reported in different studies. Herein, we perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the overall diagnostic yield and safety of semirigid thoracoscopy in EPE. ⋯ Semirigid thoracoscopy is an efficacious and safe procedure in diagnosis of EPE. Because of the small sample size, larger well-designed trials are required to confirm the results of this study. There is also a need for head-to-head comparison of semirigid and rigid thoracoscopy.
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Review Meta Analysis
Efficacy and tolerability of treatments for chronic cough: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Understanding the comparative effectiveness of treatments for patients with unexplained or refractory cough is important to increase awareness of proven therapies and their potential adverse effects in this unique population. ⋯ Although evidence is limited, opioid and certain nonopioid and nonanesthetic antitussives demonstrated efficacy for treating chronic cough in adults. There is a need for further studies in patients with unexplained or refractory cough as well as for more systematic study designs, assessment of patient-centered outcomes, and reporting.
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Review Meta Analysis
Short- versus long-duration antibiotic regimens for ventilator-associated pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of short- vs long-duration antibiotic regimens for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). ⋯ Short-course treatment of VAP was associated with more antibiotic-free days. No difference was found regarding mortality and relapses; however, a strong trend for fewer relapses was observed in favor of the long-course treatment, being mostly driven by one study in which the observed relapses were probably more microbiologic than clinical. Additional research is required to elucidate the issue.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Development of a novel composite stroke and bleeding risk score in patients with atrial fibrillation: The AMADEUS study.
The aim of the current analysis was to identify independent predictors of the overall clinical outcome of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), including both stroke/thromboembolism and/or major bleeding. Given the overlap between stroke and bleeding risk factors, a composite risk-stratification score for stroke/thromboembolism or bleeding could potentially be developed. ⋯ We have developed and validated two novel composite scores for stroke/thromboembolism/bleeding that offer good discriminatory and predictive performance. However, these composite risk scores did not perform better than the easier and more practical "traditional" stroke and bleeding risk scores that are currently in use, which allow greater practicality and a more personalized balancing of risks.