Therapeutics
An invasive strategy reduced death, myocardial infarction, and readmissions in unstable coronary artery disease Wallentin L, Lagerqvist B, Husted S, et al, for the FRISC II Investigators. Outcome at 1 year after an invasive compared with a non-invasive strategy in unstable coronary-artery disease: the FRISC II invasive randomised trial. Lancet 2000 Jul 1;356:9–16
Review: no convincing difference exists between unfractionated and low molecular heparin in acute coronary syndrome Eikelboom JW, Anand SS, Malmberg K, et al. Unfractionated heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin in acute coronary syndrome without ST elevation: a meta-analysis. Lancet 2000 Jun 3;355:1936–42
Routine stenting improved outcomes and had similar costs to that of balloon angioplasty with provisional stenting Weaver WD, Reisman MA, Griffin JJ, et al, for the OPUS-1 Investigators. Optimum percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty compared with routine stent strategy trial (OPUS-1): a randomised trial. Lancet 2000 Jun 24;355:2199–203
Review: stroke centers need administrative support, protocols, multidisciplinary staff, and access to hospital services Alberts MJ, Hademenos G, Latchaw RE, et al, for the Brain Attack Coalition. Recommendations for the establishment of primary stroke centers. JAMA 2000 Jun 21;283:3102–9
Review: photodynamic therapy prevents visual loss in neovascular age related macular degeneration Wormald R, Evans J, Smeeth L. Photodynamic therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(2):CD0020301, latest version 22 Feb 2000.
Review: corticosteroids do not improve visual acuity in acute monosymptomatic optic neuritis over the long term Kaufman DI, Trobe JD, Eggenberger ER, et al. Practice parameter: the role of corticosteroids in the management of acute monosymptomatic optic neuritis. Report of the quality standards subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology 2000 Jun 13;54:2039–44
Review: pentoxifylline alone or as an adjunct to compression therapy improves healing in venous leg ulcersJull AB, Waters J, Arroll B. Oral pentoxifylline for treatment of venous leg ulcers. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(2):CD001733, latest version 18 Feb 2000.
Low dose aspirin reduced DVT and pulmonary embolism but increased postoperative bleeding requiring transfusions in hip surgery patients Pulmonary Embolism Prevention (PEP) Trial Collaborative Group. Prevention of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis with low dose aspirin: pulmonary embolism prevention (PEP) trial. Lancet 2000 Apr 15;355:1295–302
Non-invasive ventilation reduced deaths and the need for intubation in acute on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Plant PK, Owen JL, Elliott MW. Early use of non-invasive ventilation for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on general respiratory wards: a multi centre randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2000 Jun 3;355:1931–5
Mechanical ventilation with a lower tidal volume decreased mortality in the acute respiratory distress syndrome Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network. Ventilation with lower tidal volumes as compared with traditional tidal volumes for acute lung injury and the acute respiratory distress syndrome. N Engl J Med 2000 May 4;342:1301–8
A diet low in fat and high in fibre, fruits, and vegetables did not reduce the recurrence of colorectal adenomas Schatzkin A, Lanza E, Corle D, et al, and the Polyp Prevention Trial Study Group. Lack of effect of a low-fat, high-fiber diet on the recurrence of colorectal adenomas. N Engl J Med 2000 Apr 20;342:1149–55
A high fibre cereal supplement did not prevent the recurrence of colorectal adenomas Alberts DS, Martínez ME, Roe DJ, et al, and the Phoenix Colon Cancer Prevention Physicians' Network. Lack of effect of a high-fiber cereal supplement on the recurrence of colorectal adenomas. N Engl J Med 2000 Apr 20;342:1156– 62
