Current medical research and opinion
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Review Comparative Study
A systematic review of the efficacy and safety outcomes of anti-VEGF agents used for treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration: comparison of ranibizumab and bevacizumab.
To systematically review ocular and systemic events in treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibodies, ranibizumab and bevacizumab, and to provide a detailed perspective of their differences on clinical use, efficacy and safety. ⋯ In contrast to ranibizumab, current safety data for bevacizumab are incomplete and not yet robust. If the medical community remains committed to using intravitreal bevacizumab, it is critical to establish that it has an acceptable safety profile, supported by evidence-based medicine. Considerable further research is warranted to achieve this.
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Depression is common in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular adverse events. We aimed to explore the prognostic role of mild depression on cardiovascular mortality and compare its prognostic value with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with stable CAD. ⋯ Mild depression is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and is a better predictor than CRP levels in patients with stable CAD.
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Contrast induced acute kidney injury is an important complication after cardiac (invasive) procedures and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. The aim of the current article is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge regarding contrast induced acute kidney injury. ⋯ Currently, only adequate hydration, with saline, is uniformly accepted as a beneficial prophylactic strategy. Furthermore promising results have also been reported for several other prophylactic strategies. These results, however, need to be confirmed in future trials.
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This article provides a short but comprehensive pharmacotherapeutic update of adjunctive therapy with lacosamide for partial-onset seizures in adult patients. ⋯ The evidence on lacosamide was limited and studies suffered from a number of methodological limitations. Lacosamide appears to be a safe, efficacious and cost-effective adjunctive therapy for partial-onset epileptic seizures in adult patients. However, these results need to be validated by studies that explore the impact of lacosamide in real-life clinical practice.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Thorough QT study of the effects of vildagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor, on cardiac repolarization and conduction in healthy volunteers.
This randomized, double-blind study evaluated the effects of vildagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor for treating type 2 diabetes, on cardiac repolarization and conduction. ⋯ Vildagliptin did not prolong QT interval or affect cardiac conduction at the highest daily therapeutic dose or a fourfold higher dose.