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European Review For Medical and... Jul 2023The optimal time to start renal replacement therapy (RRT) for acute kidney injury (AKI) remains controversial. We aim to compare the effects of early vs. delayed RRT... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Early strategy vs. late initiation of renal replacement therapy in adult patients with acute kidney injury: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
OBJECTIVE
The optimal time to start renal replacement therapy (RRT) for acute kidney injury (AKI) remains controversial. We aim to compare the effects of early vs. delayed RRT initiation on clinical outcomes in adult patients with AKI.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the International Clinical Trial registry platform were systematically searched from inception to 7 August 2022. The review included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing early and delayed initiation of RRT in AKI patients. The selected primary outcomes were short-term and long-term mortality. Secondary outcomes included RRT dependency, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, hospital length of stay, mechanical ventilator-free days, vasoactive agents-free days, RRT-free days, and adverse events.
RESULTS
Overall, 15 RCTs, including 5,625 patients, were analyzed. Early RRT showed no survival benefit when compared to the delayed therapy (28-or 30-day mortality: RR, 1.01, 95% CI: 0.94-1.08, p = 0.87; 60-day mortality: RR, 0.87, 95% CI: 0.71-1.06, p = 0.16; 90-day mortality: RR, 1.00, 95% CI: 0.88-1.13, p = 0.97; in-hospital mortality: RR, 1.05, 95% CI: 0.88-1.24, p = 0.58; ICU mortality: RR, 1.00, 95% CI: 0.91-1.10, p = 0.98). The delayed RRT did not lead to a higher risk of RRT dependency, ICU, or hospital length of stay than the early RRT. Similarly, early initiation of RRT did not lead to longer ventilator-free, vasoactive agent-free, and RRT-free days. However, early RRT initiation was associated with more adverse events.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggested that early RRT initiation was not associated with survival benefits or better clinical outcomes and increased the risk of RRT-associated adverse events. Current evidence does not support the use of early RRT for AKI patients without urgent indications.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Time-to-Treatment; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Renal Replacement Therapy; Acute Kidney Injury; Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy; Intensive Care Units
PubMed: 37458646
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202307_32959 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2021Vitamin D (VitD) is an important pleiotropic hormone for organ systems. Studies have focused on the level of VitD, especially that of 25-hydroxyvitamin D...
Vitamin D (VitD) is an important pleiotropic hormone for organ systems. Studies have focused on the level of VitD, especially that of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH)-VitD), in patients after cardiac surgery and the relationship between VitD deficiency and adverse outcomes, but the results have been inconsistent. We carried out a meta-analysis to evaluate differences in the 25-(OH)-VitD level before and after cardiac surgery, and evaluated the predictive value of 25-(OH)-VitD level in the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Studies related to VitD level and cardiac surgery were searched from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from inception to October 2020. We applied the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to assess the risk of a bias in individual studies. We examined the heterogeneity and publication bias and performed subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses. Fifteen studies were included in our analysis. The 25-(OH)-VitD level was significantly lower immediately after surgery [stand mean difference (SMD), 0.69; 95%CI (0.1, 1.28), = 0.023] and 24-h after surgery [0.84; (0.47, 1.21), 0.000] compared with that before surgery. A higher prevalence of 25-(OH)-VitD deficiency was recorded 24 h after surgery [RR, 0.59; 95%CI (0.47, 0.73), = 0.00]. Pooled results demonstrated a significant relationship between the preoperative 25-(OH)-VitD level and vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) [SMD, -3.71; 95%CI (-6.32, -1.10); = 0.005], and patients with 25-(OH)-VitD deficiency revealed a comparatively poor prognosis and severe condition after cardiac surgery [-0.80; (-1.41, -0.19), 0.01]. However, 25-(OH)-VitD deficiency was not associated with the duration of stay in the intensive care unit. Cardiac surgery would leads to deficiency of 25-(OH)-VitD. And the preoperative and postoperative levels of 25-(OH)-VitD are associated with adverse events, which is eligible to work as an indicator to demonstrate clinical outcomes.
PubMed: 34869636
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.734504 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2022With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing numbers of cases of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) have been reported worldwide;... (Review)
Review
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Temporally Related to COVID-19 in Children From Latin America and the Caribbean Region: A Systematic Review With a Meta-Analysis of Data From Regional Surveillance Systems.
BACKGROUND
With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing numbers of cases of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) have been reported worldwide; however, it is unclear whether this syndrome has a differential pattern in children from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, and outcome characteristics of patients with MIS-C in LAC countries.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted in the main electronic databases and scientific meetings from March 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. Available reports on epidemiological surveillance of countries in the region during the same period were analyzed.
RESULTS
Of the 464 relevant studies identified, 23 were included with 592 patients with MIS-C from LAC. Mean age was 6.6 years (IQR, 6-7.4 years); 60% were male. The most common clinical manifestations were fever, rash, and conjunctival injection; 59% showed Kawasaki disease. Pool proportion of shock was 52%. A total of 47% of patients were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), 23% required mechanical ventilation, and 74% required vasoactive drugs. Intravenous gamma globulin alone was administered in 87% of patients, and in combination with steroids in 60% of cases. Length of hospital stay was 10 days (IQR, 9-10) and PICU stay 5.75 (IQR, 5-6). Overall case fatality ratio was 4% and for those hospitalized in the PICU it was 7%.
CONCLUSION
Limited information was available on the clinical outcomes. Improvements in the surveillance system are required to obtain a better epidemiologic overview in the region.
PubMed: 35547540
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.881765 -
Endoscopy International Open Nov 2019Guidelines recommend use of ligation and vasoactive drugs as first-line therapy and as grade A evidence for acute variceal bleeding (AVB), although Western studies... (Review)
Review
Guidelines recommend use of ligation and vasoactive drugs as first-line therapy and as grade A evidence for acute variceal bleeding (AVB), although Western studies about this issue are lacking. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic treatments for AVB in patients with cirrhosis. Trials that included patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, use of portocaval shunts or esophageal resection, balloon tamponade as first bleeding control measure, or that received placebo or elective treatment in one study arm were excluded. A total of 8382 publications were searched, of which 36 RCTs with 3593 patients were included. Ligation was associated with a significant improvement in bleeding control (relative risk [RR] 1.08; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.02 - 1.15) when compared to sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy combined with vasoactive drugs showed higher efficacy in active bleeding control compared to sclerotherapy alone (RR 1.17; 95 % CI 1.10 - 1.25). The combination of ligation and vasoactive drugs was not superior to ligation alone in terms of overall rebleeding (RR 2.21; 95 %CI 0.55 - 8.92) and in-hospital mortality (RR 1.97; 95 %CI 0.78 - 4.97). Other treatments did not generate meta-analysis. This study showed that ligation is superior to sclerotherapy, although with moderate heterogeneity. The combination of sclerotherapy and vasoactive drugs was more effective than sclerotherapy alone. Although current guidelines recommend combined use of ligation with vasoactive drugs in treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding, this study failed to demonstrate the superiority of this combined treatment.
PubMed: 31673624
DOI: 10.1055/a-0901-7146 -
Pediatrics Jan 2022Cardiovascular dysfunction is associated with poor outcomes in critically ill children.
CONTEXT
Cardiovascular dysfunction is associated with poor outcomes in critically ill children.
OBJECTIVE
We aim to derive an evidence-informed, consensus-based definition of cardiovascular dysfunction in critically ill children.
DATA SOURCES
Electronic searches of PubMed and Embase were conducted from January 1992 to January 2020 using medical subject heading terms and text words to define concepts of cardiovascular dysfunction, pediatric critical illness, and outcomes of interest.
STUDY SELECTION
Studies were included if they evaluated critically ill children with cardiovascular dysfunction and assessment and/or scoring tools to screen for cardiovascular dysfunction and assessed mortality, functional status, organ-specific, or other patient-centered outcomes. Studies of adults, premature infants (≤36 weeks gestational age), animals, reviews and/or commentaries, case series (sample size ≤10), and non-English-language studies were excluded. Studies of children with cyanotic congenital heart disease or cardiovascular dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass were excluded.
DATA EXTRACTION
Data were abstracted from each eligible study into a standard data extraction form, along with risk-of-bias assessment by a task force member.
RESULTS
Cardiovascular dysfunction was defined by 9 elements, including 4 which indicate severe cardiovascular dysfunction. Cardiopulmonary arrest (>5 minutes) or mechanical circulatory support independently define severe cardiovascular dysfunction, whereas tachycardia, hypotension, vasoactive-inotropic score, lactate, troponin I, central venous oxygen saturation, and echocardiographic estimation of left ventricular ejection fraction were included in any combination. There was expert agreement (>80%) on the definition.
LIMITATIONS
All included studies were observational and many were retrospective.
CONCLUSIONS
The Pediatric Organ Dysfunction Information Update Mandate panel propose this evidence-informed definition of cardiovascular dysfunction.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Cardiovascular System; Child; Critical Illness; Humans; Multiple Organ Failure; Organ Dysfunction Scores
PubMed: 34970677
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2021-052888F -
BMJ Paediatrics Open 2021In this review, we discuss some important aspects of paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 (PIMS-TS), a new syndrome that is... (Review)
Review
Paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 (PIMS-TS): a narrative review and the viewpoint of the Latin American Society of Pediatric Intensive Care (SLACIP) Sepsis Committee.
BACKGROUND
In this review, we discuss some important aspects of paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 (PIMS-TS), a new syndrome that is temporally related to previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This virus has a broad spectrum of presentation that may overlap with Kawasaki disease in terms of presenting symptoms and laboratory and cardiac findings. Our objective was to review and summarise published evidence regarding the most important aspects of PIMS-TS, with special emphasis on the treatment strategies suggested for middle-income and low-income countries.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature was performed in the principal medical databases including PubMed, Embase (OVID) and Google Scholar between December 2019 and August 2020.
RESULTS
A total of 69 articles were identified in the described databases. Altogether, 13 articles met the inclusion criteria and were eligible. The most frequently described symptoms of PIMS-TS include fever (82%), shock (67%) and gastrointestinal (87%), skin (71%) and cardiac disorders (75%). In most series, it has been observed between 4 and 6 weeks after the pandemic appears in the general population. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is presented as a great systemic inflammatory response syndrome, which sometimes presents as shock requiring fluid resuscitation and vasoactive drug support (26%). Several treatment strategies have been used, including immunoglobulin, steroids, aspirin, anakinra and anticoagulation among others. These general and specific interventions should be guided by an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary team, especially in settings with limited resources.
CONCLUSIONS
PIMS-TS COVID-19 is a new type of presentation of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with an exaggerated inflammatory response and frequent--digestive and myocardial involvement. It is important to describe the clinical course and outcomes in countries with limited resources as well as establish the role of biomarkers for early diagnosis, effective therapeutic strategies and outpatient follow-up schemes.
Topics: COVID-19; Child; Critical Care; Humans; Latin America; SARS-CoV-2; Sepsis; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
PubMed: 34192188
DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000894 -
Evidence-based Complementary and... 2021Evidence for the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) on gastrointestinal function recovery after gynecological surgery is unclear. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Evidence for the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) on gastrointestinal function recovery after gynecological surgery is unclear.
OBJECTIVE
This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of EA on recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function for patients receiving gynecological surgery. Data sources: PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CINAHL), Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Weipu (CQVIP), and Wanfang databases were systematically searched from the inception dates to May 30, 2020, for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Study selection: RCTs that evaluated EA for postoperative gastrointestinal function directly related to gynecological surgery in adults aged 18 years or over. Data extraction and synthesis: paired reviewer independently extracted the data and assessed study quality. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated as the effect measure from a random effects model. Main outcomes and measures: time to first flatus (TFF), time to bowel sounds recovery (TBS), and time to first defecation (TFD) were recorded as primary outcomes; postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), motilin (MTL), gastrin (GAS), pH value of gastric mucosa (pHi), gastric mucosal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PgCO2), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and adverse event were reported as secondary outcomes.
RESULTS
We included eighteen RCTs (1117 participants). Our findings suggested that compared to the control group (CG), electroacupuncture group (EG) showed significant effects on TFF (SMD = -0.98, 95% CI: [-1.28, -0.68], < 0.00001, = 69%), TBS (SMD = -0.98, 95% CI: [-1.84, -0.12], =0.03, = 92%), and TFD (SMD = -1.23, 95% CI: [-1.59, -0.88], < 0.0001, = 0%). Moreover, the incidence of PONV at postoperative 6 h (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: [0.27, 0.64], < 0.0001, = 0%) and 24 h (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: [0.32, 0.68], < 0.0001, = 0%) was lower in the EG than that in the CG, whereas no significant difference in ratio of PONV at postoperative 48 h (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: [0.20, 1.51], =0.25, = 0%) was detected between the two groups. Meanwhile, there was a significant effect in favor of EA on the level of MTL at postoperative 6 h (SMD = -0.93, 95% CI: [-1.36, -0.61], < 0.0001, = 21%), while no significant effect was observed at postoperative 24 h (SMD = -0.43, 95% CI: [-0.89, 0.02], =0.06, = 69%) in the EG when compared to the CG. Additionally, a large significant effect on decreasing PgCO was found in the EG in comparison to the CG, but no significant effect in favor of EA on GAS, VIP, or pHi was observed. It was reported that there was one participant with pain at the needling sites and bruising, and three participants withdrew because they were not intolerant to EA.
CONCLUSIONS
EA could be a promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction after gynecological surgery, including shortening TFF and TFD, TBS, regulating MTL, and decreasing the ratio of PONV within postoperative 24h. The effects on MTL and PONV varied with different intervention points, and EA used at 30 min prior to surgery might be recommended. However, the evidence quality ranged from low to very low, and large-scale and high-quality RCTs were warranted.
PubMed: 34970326
DOI: 10.1155/2021/8329366 -
World Journal of Critical Care Medicine Dec 2020Vasoplegic shock is a challenging complication of cardiac surgery and is often resistant to conventional therapies for shock. Norepinephrine and epinephrine are...
BACKGROUND
Vasoplegic shock is a challenging complication of cardiac surgery and is often resistant to conventional therapies for shock. Norepinephrine and epinephrine are standards of care for vasoplegic shock, but vasopressin has increasingly been used as a primary pressor in vasoplegic shock because of its unique pharmacology and lack of inotropic activity. It remains unclear whether vasopressin has distinct benefits over standard of care for patients with vasoplegic shock.
AIM
To summarize the available literature evaluating vasopressin non-vasopressin alternatives on the clinical and patient-centered outcomes of vasoplegic shock in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients.
METHODS
This was a systematic review of vasopressin in adults (≥ 18 years) with vasoplegic shock after cardiac surgery. Randomized controlled trials, prospective cohorts, and retrospective cohorts comparing vasopressin to norepinephrine, epinephrine, methylene blue, hydroxocobalamin, or other pressors were included. The primary outcomes of interest were 30-d mortality, atrial/ventricular arrhythmias, stroke, ICU length of stay, duration of vasopressor therapy, incidence of acute kidney injury stage II-III, and mechanical ventilation for greater than 48 h.
RESULTS
A total of 1161 studies were screened for inclusion with 3 meeting inclusion criteria with a total of 708 patients. Two studies were randomized controlled trials and one was a retrospective cohort study. Primary outcomes of 30-d mortality, stroke, ventricular arrhythmias, and duration of mechanical ventilation were similar between groups. Conflicting results were observed for acute kidney injury stage II-III, atrial arrhythmias, duration of vasopressors, and ICU length of stay with higher certainty of evidence in favor of vasopressin serving a protective role for these outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Vasopressin was not found to be superior to alternative pressor therapy for any of the included outcomes. Results are limited by mixed methodologies, small overall sample size, and heterogenous populations.
PubMed: 33384951
DOI: 10.5492/wjccm.v9.i5.88 -
Journal of Integrative Neuroscience Dec 2021Vasoactive peptides constitute a heterogenous family of mediators exerting various physiological functions, mostly studied for their vasotropic effects and role as...
Vasoactive peptides constitute a heterogenous family of mediators exerting various physiological functions, mostly studied for their vasotropic effects and role as peripheral neurotransmitters/neuromodulators, mainly involved in nociceptive transmission modulation. They have been divided into vasodilatory or vasoconstrictive peptides, according to their predominant effects on vascular tone. Recent research has shown in the Central Nervous System effects as transmitters and "growth factor-like" signals. Therefore, deregulation of their signaling systems has been thought to play a role in neural cell death and in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, since these peptides can regulate neuronal stress signaling, survival cascades, synaptic plasticity. This review considers evidence about the implication of neuropeptide systems in Alzheimer's disease while focusing mainly on calcitonin gene-related peptide-alpha. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown potential implications in its pathogenesis. It has been possibly proposed as a neuroprotective agent, considering not only its pleiotropic actions on blood vessels, neurovascular coupling, energy metabolism, but also its potential actions on neuronal, glial, and immune system stress signaling, which might also derive from its structural homology to amylin. Amylin signaling is thought to be disrupted in Alzheimer's disease, and amylin itself takes part in the composition of senile plaques. Calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing systems seem more closely related to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis than other neuropeptidergic systems, and their regulation might represent an interesting mechanism in developing novel therapeutic approaches.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Animals; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; Humans; Neuroprotection
PubMed: 34997729
DOI: 10.31083/j.jin2004107 -
BMJ Open Respiratory Research Mar 2024Vasoactive drugs have exhibited clinical efficacy in addressing pulmonary arterial hypertension, manifesting a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality....
OBJECTIVES
Vasoactive drugs have exhibited clinical efficacy in addressing pulmonary arterial hypertension, manifesting a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary hypertension may complicate advanced interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) and is associated with high rates of disability, hospitalisation due to cardiac and respiratory illnesses, and mortality. Prior management hinged on treating the underlying lung disease and comorbidities. However, the INCREASE trial of inhaled treprostinil in PH-ILD has demonstrated that PH-ILD can be effectively treated with vasoactive drugs.
METHODS
This comprehensive systematic review examines the evidence for vasoactive drugs in the management of PH-ILD.
RESULTS
A total of 1442 pubblications were screened, 11 RCTs were considered for quantitative synthesis. Unfortunately, the salient studies are limited by population heterogeneity, short-term follow-up and the selection of outcomes with uncertain clinical significance.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review underscores the necessity of establishing a precision medicine-oriented strategy, directed at uncovering and addressing the intricate cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the pathophysiology of PH-ILD.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42023457482.
Topics: Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Comorbidity
PubMed: 38479818
DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2023-002161