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The role of low molecular weight heparin on recurrent pregnancy loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Jiang, F, Hu, X, Jiang, K, Pi, H, He, Q, Chen, X
Taiwanese journal of obstetrics & gynecology. 2021;(1):1-8
Abstract
To assess the roles of the low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The relevant studies of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved, and the systematic evaluation was conducted. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases were searched by using keywords, including low-molecular-weight heparin or LMWH, and recurrent miscarriage or recurrent pregnancy loss in pregnant women from their earliest data to February 2020. Two investigators independently evaluated eligibility. Risk ratios (RRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were determined. To pool the results, this meta-analysis was performed using random-effect model due to the high heterogeneity among these eight studies. A total of eight RCTs involving 1854 participants were included in the meta-analysis involving 963 patients with RPL who were prescribed LMWH (enoxaparin, tinzaparin, or dalteparin) alone and 891 patients who were treated with no LMWH interventions (placebo, folic acid or non-treatment) were compared. Pooled data from the remaining eight RCTs showed the differences between intervention groups and control groups. Compared with control groups, LMWH had significantly improved live births (RR,1.19; 95%CI, 1.03 to 1.38; P = 0.02), and reduced miscarriage rates (RR, 0.62; 95%CI, 0.43 to 0.91; P = 0.01). The study suggested that LMWH could improve the live births and reduce the miscarriage rates of RPL. Therefore, LMWH might be a good treatment choice for women with unexplained PRL.
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Design of a prospective patient-level pooled analysis of two parallel trials of empagliflozin in patients with established heart failure.
Packer, M, Butler, J, Filippatos, G, Zannad, F, Ferreira, JP, Zeller, C, Brueckmann, M, Jamal, W, Pocock, SJ, Anker, SD, et al
European journal of heart failure. 2020;(12):2393-2398
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Abstract
AIM: The EMPEROR-Reduced trial demonstrated that empagliflozin reduced the combined risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure in patients with a reduced ejection fraction, and the EMPEROR-Preserved trial is currently evaluating the effect of the drug on the same endpoint in patients with an ejection fraction >40%. However, neither the trial was designed to have adequate statistical power to evaluate the effects of empagliflozin and dapagliflozin on major adverse renal outcomes or on mortality. Herein we describe the design of a prospective individual patient-level pooled analysis of two large-scale trials with empagliflozin (EMPEROR-Reduced and EMPEROR-Preserved) in patients with heart failure across the spectrum of ejection fraction. METHODS The trials were carried out in parallel using the same administrative structure and committees, randomization procedure, schedule of study visits and adjudication criteria and similar groups of investigators and case report forms. The two component trials specified the same primary and key secondary endpoints and used an identical hierarchical testing procedure, which included a pooled analysis of the two trials as a key component of the hierarchy. Consequently, the pooled analysis has been prospectively assigned a false positive error rate, which is conditional on one or both trials first achieving success on their primary and one or both key secondary endpoints. The pooled analysis has its own statistical plan with its own endpoints, and this plan was finalized before either trial had begun recruitment of patients into either study. The primary endpoint of the pooled analysis is a composite of serious adverse renal outcomes, defined by chronic dialysis, renal transplantation and a profound or sustained decrease in glomerular filtration rate. All-cause and cardiovascular mortality are specified as secondary endpoints. CONCLUSION The planned pooled analysis has an unusually high degree of statistical rigour that will allow it to address important questions that cannot be fully addressed by the individual trials.
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Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Medication Prescription in Primary Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Zhao, M, Woodward, M, Vaartjes, I, Millett, ERC, Klipstein-Grobusch, K, Hyun, K, Carcel, C, Peters, SAE
Journal of the American Heart Association. 2020;(11):e014742
Abstract
Background Sex differences in the management of cardiovascular disease have been reported in secondary care. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis of systematically investigated sex differences in cardiovascular medication prescription among patients at high risk or with established cardiovascular disease in primary care. Methods and Results PubMed and Embase were searched between 2000 and 2019 for observational studies reporting on the sex-specific prevalence of aspirin, statins, and antihypertensive medication prescription, including beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and diuretics, in primary care. Random effects meta-analysis was used to obtain pooled women-to-men prevalence ratios for each cardiovascular medication prescription. Metaregression models assessed the impact of age and year on the findings. A total of 43 studies were included, involving 2 264 600 participants (28% women) worldwide. Participants' mean age ranged from 51 to 76 years. The pooled prevalence of cardiovascular medication prescription for women was 41% for aspirin, 60% for statins, and 68% for any antihypertensive medications. Corresponding rates for men were 56%, 63%, and 69% respectively. The pooled women-to-men prevalence ratios were 0.81 (95% CI, 0.72-0.92) for aspirin, 0.90 (95% CI, 0.85-0.95) for statins, and 1.01 (95% CI, 0.95-1.08) for any antihypertensive medications. Women were less likely to be prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (0.85; 95% CI, 0.81-0.89) but more likely with diuretics (1.27; 95% CI, 1.17-1.37). Mean age, mean age difference between the sexes, and year of study had no significant impact on findings. Conclusions Sex differences in the prescription of cardiovascular medication exist among patients at high risk or with established cardiovascular disease in primary care, with a lower prevalence of aspirin, statins, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors prescription in women and a lower prevalence of diuretics prescription in men.
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Effects of the Antianginal Drugs Ranolazine, Nicorandil, and Ivabradine on Coronary Microvascular Function in Patients With Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Zhu, H, Xu, X, Fang, X, Zheng, J, Zhao, Q, Chen, T, Huang, J
Clinical therapeutics. 2019;(10):2137-2152.e12
Abstract
PURPOSE The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of the antianginal drugs ranolazine, nicorandil, and ivabradine on coronary microvascular function. METHODS Electronic scientific databases were searched for randomized trials investigating the effects of antianginal drugs on coronary microvascular function. Primary outcomes were changes in the coronary flow reserve (CFR), index of microvascular resistance (IMR), and myocardial perfusion reserve index (MPRI). The secondary outcome was the Seattle Angina Questionnaire scores. The standardized mean difference or weighted mean difference (WMD) (95% CI) served as a summary statistic. FINDINGS The antianginal drugs ranolazine, nicorandil, and ivabradine did not increase the CFR compared with the control drugs (standardized mean difference, 0.39; 95% CI, -0.08 to 0.85; P = 0.10). Ranolazine did not increase the global MPRI compared with the control drugs (weighted mean difference [WMD], 0.11; 95% CI, -0.06 to 0.29; P = 0.21). However, in the subgroups with a baseline CFR <2.5 or a global MPRI <2, ranolazine increased the global MPRI (WMD, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.27; P < 0.0001). In addition, the subendocardial midventricular MPRI (mid-subendocardial MPRI) was improved after ranolazine treatment (WMD, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.20; P = 0.007). Moreover, nicorandil significantly reduced the IMR compared with the control drugs (WMD, -7.63; 95% CI, -11.82 to -3.44; P = 0.0004). In addition, ranolazine and ivabradine improved 3 of the 5 Seattle Angina Questionnaire scores. IMPLICATIONS Ranolazine improved the global MPRI in patients with definite coronary microvascular dysfunction and the mid-subendocardial MPRI with suspicious coronary microvascular dysfunction, and nicorandil reduced the IMR. In addition, ranolazine and ivabradine reduced angina. Moreover, it is possible that the IMR and mid-subendocardial MPRI are more sensitive than the CFR and global MPRI for evaluating coronary microvascular function.