Search results for "Randomized controlled"
showing 10 items of 2220 documents
Finding atrial fibrillation in stroke patients: Randomized evaluation of enhanced and prolonged Holter monitoring—Find-AFRANDOMISED —rationale and de…
2014
Background Detecting paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with ischemic strokes presenting in sinus rhythm is challenging because episodes are often short, occur randomly, and are frequently asymptomatic. If AF is detected, recurrent thromboembolism can be prevented efficiently by oral anticoagulation. Numerous uncontrolled studies using various electrocardiogram (ECG) devices have established that prolonged ECG monitoring increases the yield of AF detection, but most established procedures are time-consuming and costly. The few randomized trials are mostly limited to cryptogenic strokes. The optimal method, duration, and patient selection remain unclear. Repeated prolonged conti…
Polymyalgia rheumatica and vertebral fractures: a 1-year pilot controlled study
2010
No data exist about the possibility that vertebral fracture in PMR patients could be independent of steroid therapy. For this reason, we aimed to investigate this topic by a case cohort study with a 1-year follow-up for each patient. We selected ten consecutive patients who experienced vertebral fractures (VF-group) during the first month of 1-year follow-up period and without any other significant associated condition. As a control group we studied ten control patients, without vertebral fractures and with a follow-up of 1 year, randomly selected among a larger group of patients affected by polymyalgia rheumatica. The following data were analysed: eritrosedimention rate (ESR), visual analo…
Second asymptomatic carotid surgery trial (ACST-2): a randomised comparison of carotid artery stenting versus carotid endarterectomy.
2021
Summary Background Among asymptomatic patients with severe carotid artery stenosis but no recent stroke or transient cerebral ischaemia, either carotid artery stenting (CAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can restore patency and reduce long-term stroke risks. However, from recent national registry data, each option causes about 1% procedural risk of disabling stroke or death. Comparison of their long-term protective effects requires large-scale randomised evidence. Methods ACST-2 is an international multicentre randomised trial of CAS versus CEA among asymptomatic patients with severe stenosis thought to require intervention, interpreted with all other relevant trials. Patients were eligib…
Shoulder function after extracorporal shock wave therapy for calcific tendinitis.
1998
We report a controlled, prospective study that explored the effect of extracorporal shock waves of low- versus high-energy density in patients with chronic shoulder pain and calcific tendinitis. We assigned at random 100 patients who had had calcific tendinitis for more than 12 months to 2 groups to receive shock wave therapy either of a low- or high-energy density. Group 1 received 1500 impulses of 0.06 mJ/mm2, whereas group 2 received 1500 impulses of 0.28 mJ/mm2. Unlike group 1, in which the shock wave application could be performed without local anesthesia, all patients in group 2 required brachial plexus anesthesia. The patients were reviewed at 6 and 24 weeks. Partial or complete disi…
Outcomes of a routine invasive strategy in elderly patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction from 2005 to 2014: results from the P…
2019
Background Elderly patients (≥75 years old) with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) represent a large subgroup of all cases. They are rarely included in randomized trials because of comorbidities and concerns about complications. Furthermore, invasive treatments are used less frequently in this patient group. The aim of this study was to analyze trends in invasive procedures and outcomes in elderly patients with NSTEMI from 2005 to 2014. Patients and methods We analyzed 68 978 elderly patients with NSTEMI enrolled in the prospective, nationwide Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes from 2005 to 2014. Results Elderly patients accounted for 34.9% of all patients wit…
Effects of Myofascial Release in Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
2017
Double-blind, randomized parallel sham-controlled trial with concealed allocation and intention-to treat analysis.To investigate the effects of an isolate myofascial release (MFR) protocol on pain, disability, and fear-avoidance beliefs in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).MFR is a form of manual medicine widely used by physiotherapists in the management of different musculoskeletal pathologies. Up to this moment, no previous studies have reported the effects of an isolated MFR treatment in patients with CLBP.Fifty-four participants, with nonspecific CLBP, were randomized to MFR group (n = 27) receiving four sessions of myofascial treatment, each lasting 40 minutes, and to control …
Comparison of two teaching methods for cardiac arrhythmia interpretation among nursing students.
2014
Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to compare the six-stage method (SSM) for instructing primary cardiac arrhythmias interpretation to students without basic electrocardiogram (ECG) knowledge with a descriptive teaching method in a single educational intervention. Methods This is a randomized trial. Following a brief instructional session, undergraduate nursing students, assigned to group A (SSM) and group B (descriptive teaching method), undertook a written test in cardiac rhythm recognition, immediately after the educational intervention (initial exam). Participants were also examined with an unannounced retention test (final exam), one month after instruction. Altogether 134 students…
Effect of a Strategy of Comprehensive Vasodilation vs Usual Care on Mortality and Heart Failure Rehospitalization Among Patients With Acute Heart Fai…
2019
Importance Short-term infusions of single vasodilators, usually given in a fixed dose, have not improved outcomes in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Objective To evaluate the effect of a strategy that emphasized early intensive and sustained vasodilation using individualized up-titrated doses of established vasodilators in patients with AHF. Design, Setting, and Participants Randomized, open-label blinded-end-point trial enrolling 788 patients hospitalized for AHF with dyspnea, increased plasma concentrations of natriuretic peptides, systolic blood pressure of at least 100 mm Hg, and plan for treatment in a general ward in 10 tertiary and secondary hospitals in Switzerland, Bulgari…
Pulmonary embolism: risk assessment and management.
2012
Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) poses a significant burden on health and survival. Its severity ranges from asymptomatic, incidentally discovered subsegmental thrombi to massive, pressor-dependent PE complicated by cardiogenic shock and multisystem organ failure. Rapid and accurate risk stratification is therefore of paramount importance to ensure the highest quality of care. This article critically reviews currently available and emerging tools for risk-stratifying acute PE, and particularly for distinguishing between elevated (intermediate) and low risk among normotensive patients. We focus on the potential value of risk assessment strategies for optimizing severity-adjusted management. Apa…
Surgical management of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes in age-related macular degeneration by macular relocation: experiences of an early-s…
2009
The MARAN (Macular Relocation in Age-related Neovascular disease) trial was planned to assess the effectiveness of full macular relocation (MR) in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Randomised, prospective, controlled clinical trial.Patients suffering from visual loss because of AMD were randomised to either surgery or a control group receiving standard treatment (observation or photodynamic therapy (PDT)). The primary end point was the change of visual acuity (VA) (ETDRS) 52 weeks after randomisation compared with initial VA, and secondary end points included reading performance, contrast sensitivity, stability of fixation, eye-specific quality of life, and th…