Intensive Blood Pressure Control After Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Optimal clinical outcome with successful recanalization from endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) requires optimal blood pressure (BP) management. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the intensive BP target (< 140 mm Hg) versus the standard BP target (< 180 mm Hg) after EVT for acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) obtained from PubMed, Embase Cochrane, Scopus, and WOS until September 7th, 2023. We used the fixed-effect model to report dichotomous outcomes using risk ratio (RR) and continuous outcomes using mean difference (MD), with a 95% confidence interval (CI). PROSPERO ID: CRD42023463206. RESULTS: We included four RCTs with 1559 patients. There was no difference between intensive BP and standard BP targets regarding the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) change after 24 h [MD: 0.44 with 95% CI (0.0, 0.87), P = 0.05]. However, the intensive BP target was significantly associated with a decreased risk of excellent neurological recovery (mRS ≤ 1) [RR: 0.87 with 95% CI (0.76, 0.99), P = 0.03], functional independence (mRS ≤ 2) [RR: 0.81 with 95% CI (0.73, 0.90), P = 0.0001] and independent ambulation (mRS ≤ 3) [RR: 0.85 with 95% CI (0.79, 0.92), P < 0.0001]. CONCLUSIONS: An intensive BP target after EVT is associated with worse neurological recovery and significantly decreased rates of functional independence and independent ambulation compared to the standard BP target. Therefore, the intensive BP target should be avoided after EVT for acute ischemic stroke.

The efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin epicardial fat injection to prevent postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is prevalent in about 30% to 60% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery, leading to worse outcomes. Botulinum toxin type A (BTX) epicardial injection has been proposed to prevent POAF by impairing cholinergic signaling. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized randomized controlled trials, which were retrieved by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Cochrane through November 23, 2022. RevMan version 5.4 was used to pool dichotomous outcomes using risk ratio (RR) and continuous outcomes using mean differences (MD) presented with the corresponding confidence interval (CI). Results: Three randomized controlled trials with 509 patients (308 in the BTX group and 205 in the placebo group) were included in the analysis. There was no difference between BTX and placebo regarding POAF incidence (RR 0.81 with 95% CI [0.65, 1.00], P = 0.05), postoperative hospital length of stay in days (MD -0.03 with 95% CI [-0.54, 0.49], P = 0.91), all-cause mortality (RR 1.64 with 95% CI [0.22, 12.17], P = 0.63), any adverse event (RR 1.03 with 95% CI [0.94, 1.12], P = 0.51), or any serious adverse event (RR 0.89 with 95% CI [0.68, 1.15], P = 0.36). Conclusion: There was no difference between the epicardial fat injection of BTX versus placebo for preventing POAF.

Once-weekly Insulin Icodec Versus Once-daily Long-acting Insulin for Type II Diabetes: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Insulin icodec is a novel basal insulin analog with once-weekly subcutaneous administration. We aim to estimate the efficacy and safety of insulin icodec vs long-acting insulin (insulin glargine and degludec) in type II diabetic patients. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which were retrieved by systematically searching PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Cochrane through May 29, 2023. We used RevMan V. 5.4 to pool dichotomous data using risk ratio (RR) and continuous data using mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Our primary outcome was glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) change. Results: We included 7 RCTs with a total of 3183 patients. Insulin icodec was associated with significantly decreased HbA1C (MD: -0.15 with 95% CI [-0.24, -0.06], P = .002) and increased percentage of time with glucose in range (TIR) (MD: 4.06 with 95% CI [2.06, 6.06], P = .0001). However, insulin icodec was associated with increased body weight (MD: 0.57 with 95% CI [0.45, 0.70], P = .00001). Also, there was no difference regarding any serious adverse events (AEs) (RR: 0.96 with 95% CI [0.76, 1.20], P = .7) or AEs leading to withdrawal (RR: 1.54 with 95% CI [0.84, 2.82], P = .16). However, insulin icodec was associated with increased any AEs incidence (RR: 1.06 with 95% CI [1.01, 1.12], P = .02). Conclusion: Insulin icodec was associated with decreased HbA1C, increased TIR, with similar hypoglycemic and serious AEs. However, it was also associated with increased body weight and the incidence of any AEs.

The efficacy and safety of new potassium binders on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor optimization in heart failure patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) has improved outcomes in patients with heart failure, including the use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, which can hinder the excretion of potassium, resulting in hyperkalaemia. New potassium binders (NPBs) can prevent this adverse effect; however, the efficacy and safety of NPB for this indication have not been fully established. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which were retrieved by systematically searching PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane through 26 April 2023. The risk of bias assessment was conducted, following Cochrane's updated Risk of Bias 2 assessment tool. We used the fixed-effects model to pool dichotomous data using risk ratio (RR) and continuous data using mean difference (MD), with a 95% confidence interval (CI) (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023426113). We included six RCTs with a total of 1432 patients. NPB was significantly associated with successful mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) optimization [RR: 1.13 with 95% CI (1.02-1.25), P = 0.02], decreased patients with MRA at less than the target dose [RR: 0.72 with 95% CI (0.57-0.90), P = 0.004], and decreased hyperkalaemic episodes [RR: 0.42 with 95% CI (0.24-0.72), P = 0.002]. However, there was no difference between NPB and placebo regarding angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)/angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitor (ANRi) optimization [RR: 1.02 with 95% CI (0.89-1.17), P = 0.76] and serum potassium change [MD: -0.31 with 95% CI (-0.61 to 0.00), P = 0.05], with an acceptable safety profile except for the increased incidence of hypokalaemia with NPB [RR: 1.57 with 95% CI (1.12-2.21), P = 0.009]. NPB has been shown to improve GDMT outcomes by enhancing MRA optimization and reducing hyperkalaemic episodes. However, there are limited data on the effects of NPB on ACEi/ARB/ANRi optimization. Future RCTs should investigate ACEi/ARB/ANRi optimization and conduct head-to-head comparisons of NPB (patiromer and sodium zirconium cyclosilicate).

The impact of abdominal compression devices on colonoscopy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: Colonoscopy is the gold standard method for colorectal cancer screening. Looping occurs in 91% of cases undergoing colonoscopy and can cause patient discomfort, prolonged cecal intubation time (CIT), and colon perforation. This meta-analysis investigates the impact of abdominal compression devices (ACD) on colonoscopy outcomes. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing randomized controlled trials (RCTs), retrieved by systematically searching: PubMed, EMBASE, WOS, SCOPUS, and Cochrane through February 2nd, 2023. Continuous and dichotomous outcomes were pooled using mean difference (MD) and risk ratio (RR) along with confidence interval (CI) using Revman. Our review protocol was prospectively published on PROSPERO with ID: CRD42023397344. RESULTS: We included eight RCTs with a total of 1,889 patients. ACD was effective to decrease CIT (MD: -2.15 with a 95% CI [-3.49, -0.80], p = .002), postural change (RR: 0.57 with 95% CI [0.49, 0.66], p = .00001), and VAS pain score (MD: -1.49 with 95% CI [-1.81, -1.17], p = .0001). However, there was no difference between ACD and control groups regarding manual compression (RR: 0.65 with 95% CI [0.42, 1.00], p = .05), complete colonoscopy rate (CCR) (RR: 1.01 with 95% CI [0.99, 1.04], p = .31), and cecal intubation length (CIL) (MD: -2.25 with 95% CI [-7.64, 3.14], p = .41). CONCLUSION: ACD during colonoscopy may enhance patient comfort by reducing CIT, pain, and postural changes. Nevertheless, additional RCTs are necessary to validate these results and determine the most suitable approach to utilize ACD for colonoscopy.

The Efficacy and Safety of Etripamil Nasal Spray for Acute Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) treatment requires medically supervised intervention. Etripamil is a novel short-acting calcium channel blocker. Its intranasal spray formulation has a rapid onset of action and shows promise for the unsupervised treatment of PSVT. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of etripamil nasal spray for the acute conversion of PSVT. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which were retrieved by systematically searching the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases through to 1 December 2022. RevMan version 5.4 software was used to pool dichotomous outcomes using risk ratio (RR) presented with the corresponding confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Three RCTs with a total of 496 participants were included in our analysis. Etripamil was effective for PSVT conversion at 15 min (RR 1.84, 95% CI 1.37-2.48), 30 min (RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.42-2.44), and 60 min (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.05-1.50) after drug administration; decreasing medical intervention-seeking (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37-0.90); and decreasing emergency room (ER) visits (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.38-0.97). However, there was no difference at 300 min (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.97-1.25) and it was associated with higher rates of adverse events (RR 3.17, 95% CI 2.15-4.69). CONCLUSION: Etripamil nasal spray was effective and well tolerated to induce PSVT termination for up to 60 min. Therefore, etripamil nasal spray constitutes a promising strategy for PSVT self-termination without medical supervision; however, further RCTs are required before endorsement in clinical practice.