Effect of intensive versus standard blood pressure control on major adverse cardiac events and serious adverse events: A bivariate analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: Intensive blood pressure (BP) lowering may offer protective effects against major adverse cardiac event (MACE) but is also associated with a greater risk of a serious adverse event (SAE). The risk-benefit profile of intensive versus standard BP control has not been comprehensively assessed. Methods: Four studies were identified from a systematic literature search for randomized controlled trials comparing intensive versus standard BP lowering that reported both MACE and SAE endpoints. A previously described statistical approach was applied to characterize the efficacy-safety tradeoff of BP control. The bivariate outcome was computed to quantitatively assess the net clinical benefit (NCB) of intensive BP lowering as compared to standard treatment, with positive values indicating increased risks and negative values indicating decreased risks. Results: Data from the SPRINT trial demonstrated that intensive strategy was superior in MACE but inferior in SAE, thereby eroding the NCB (bivariate outcome: 0.33% [?0.50% to 1.21%]). Intensive strategy from the SPS3 trial fulfilled non-inferiority in both MACE and SAE but did not reach a favorable NCB (?1.31% [?2.25% to 0.01%]). The ACCORD trial suggested that intensive strategy was non-inferior in MACE but inferior in SAE (?0.19% [?0.79% to 1.37%]). Results from the VALISH trial were inconclusive for SAE but suggested non-inferiority in MACE (?1.19% [?3.24% to 0.68%]). Conclusions: Compared to the standard blood pressure target, pooled data from randomized controlled trials suggest that intensive strategy did not achieve a net clinical benefit when weighing the benefit of MACE reduction against the risk of SAE under the bivariate framework.Abbreviations: Blood pressure (BP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), major adverse cardiac event (MACE), net clinical benefit (NCB), serious adverse event (SAE), systolic blood pressure (SBP).     

Emergency cricothyroidotomy: an observational study to estimate optimal incision position and length

Background

A vertical incision is recommended for cricothyroidotomy when the anatomy is impalpable, but no evidence-based guideline exists regarding optimum site or length. The Difficult Airway Society guidelines, which are based on expert opinion, recommend an 80–100 mm vertical caudad to cephalad incision in the extended neck position. However, the guidelines do not advise the incision commencement point. We sought to determine the minimum incision length and commencement point above the suprasternal notch required to ensure that the cricothyroid membrane would be accessible within its margins.

Abdominal stab wound injury in children: Do we need a different approach?

Background

Penetrating stab wounds in children are relatively rare and no clear recommendations for the optimal evaluation have been devised. An acceptable traditional approach to the patient with an abdominal stab wound who does not require urgent surgery is selective nonoperative management and serial exams. The use of routine computed tomography remains an actively utilized investigation for these patients at many institutions.

Treatment consensus for management of polymyositis and dermatomyositis among rheumatologists,neurologists and dermatologists

Although rheumatologists, neurologists and dermatologists see patients with polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM), their management appears to vary depending on the physician's specialty. The aim of the present study was to establish the treatment consensus among specialists of the three fields to standardize the patient care. We formed a research team supported by a grant from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan. Clinical questions (CQ) on the management of PM and DM were raised. A published work search on CQ was performed primarily using PubMed. Using the nominal group technique, qualified studies and results in the published work were evaluated and discussed to reach consensus recommendations. They were sent out to the Japan College of Rheumatology, Japanese Society of Neurology and Japanese Dermatological Association for their approval. We reached a consensus in 23 CQ and made recommendations and a decision tree for management was proposed. They were officially approved by the three scientific societies. In conclusion, a multidisciplinary treatment consensus for the management of PM and DM was established for the first time.     

唐方教授脏腑辨证治疗小儿急性咳嗽经验

小儿急性咳嗽作为儿科常见病,因小儿脏腑娇嫩、形气未充,具有发病急骤、传变迅速的病理特点,故易出现各种变证,建立完善的小儿急性咳嗽诊治体系就显得尤为重要。因咳嗽病程不同,病邪部位有异,辨证论治之法亦有不同,唐方教授通过多年临床实践归纳和总结出小儿咳嗽从"肺胃肝三脏"治疗理论。该理论以脏腑辨证为基础,具有紧抓主症、用药考究、灵活加减的特点。临床用药加减则依据肺主宣发肃降,故多予炙麻黄、桔梗开宣肺气,予桑白皮、葶苈子降气止咳,且小儿生理特点为"脾常不足",故而过量进食之后,损伤脾胃,造成肺胃热盛同病,胃多气多血之腑,故予红景天、地龙、牡丹皮活血凉血清热。通过对临床医案的分析,进一步阐释从"肺胃肝三脏"治疗理论,从而为小儿咳嗽的临床诊治工作提供有益借鉴。