Objective To systematically evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of raltitrexed plus cisplatin in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) when compared with other chemotherapy regimens. Methods We electronically searched PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library and Chinese Biomedicine Database to March, 2007. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs were identified, and Revman 4.2.10 was applied for statistical analyses. Results One RCT involving 250 patients was included, which compared raltitrexed plus cisplatin versus cisplatin alone in the treatment of MPM. In the intention-to-treat population, the median survival time was statistically longer in the raltitrexed plus cisplatin group as compared to cisplatin alone group. (11.4 versus 8.8 months, P=0.048). The incidence of grade 3/4 toxicities was similar between the two groups. Conclusion The current evidence available showed that, the combination of raltitrexed and cisplatin may prolong the survival time for MPM patients, with a low incidence of grade 3/4 toxicities. However, more high-quality RCTs are required to further define its clinical effectiveness.
Objective To formulate an evidence-based treatment plan for a patient with malignant pleural mesothelioma.Methods Based on an adequate assessment of the patient’s condition and using the principle of PICO, we searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2007), PubMed (1996 to February 2007) and EMbase (1974 to February 2007) to identify the best available clinical evidence. Results Five randomized controlled trials, 4 systematic reviews and 1 health economic evaluation were included. According to the current evidence, as well as the patient’s clinical condition and preference, 5 cycles of raltitrexed plus cisplatin were given to the patient along with thoracic drainage and other symptomatic treatment. And the follow-up after 4 months indicated that this treatment plan was appropriate for the patient. Conclusion Evidence-based approaches helped us to prepare the most appropriate chemotherapy plan for this patient and will help improve the therapeutic results for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Objective To study the sedative effects and safety of dexmedetomidine and midazolamfor acute exacerbate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( AECOPD) underwentmechanical ventilation.Methods 68 AECOPD patients underwentmechanical ventilation were enrolled and randomly divided into adexmedetomidine group ( n =34) and a midazolam group ( n = 34) by acute physiology and chronic healthevaluation Ⅱ ( APACHEⅡ) score. The patients in the dexmedetomidine group were given a loading dose( 1 μg/kg) and then maintained with 0. 2-0. 8 mg·kg- 1 ·h- 1 . The patients in the midazolam group weregiven a loading dose ( 0. 05 mg/kg) and then maintained with 0. 06-0. 2 mg· kg- 1 · h- 1 . Sedation levelwas assessed by Ramsay score and maintained a Ramsay score of 3-4. The sedation onset time, disablesedatives wake time, duration of mechanical ventilation, extubation success rate, ICU length of stay, and 28days mortality after admission to the ICU were compared between two groups. And calmer respiratorydepression, circulatory and delirium adverse reactions incidence were also compared. Results Thedifferences in patients’age, gender, and APACHEⅡ score between two groups were not significant ( P gt;0. 05) . Compared with the midazolam group, the dexmedetomidine group had more rapid onset of sedation[ ( 49. 80 ±8. 20) s vs. ( 107. 55 ±19. 65) s, P lt;0. 01] , shorter wake-up time [ ( 18. 90 ±2. 30) min vs. ( 40. 82 ±19. 85) min, P lt;0. 01] , shorter duration of mechanical ventilation [ ( 4. 9 ±1. 6) d vs. ( 7. 8 ±2. 5) d,P lt;0. 01] , higher successful extubation rate ( 79. 41% vs. 58. 82% , P lt;0. 01) , and shorter ICUlength of stay[ ( 6. 5 ±2. 5) d vs. ( 9. 6 ±3. 4) d, P lt;0. 05] . Dexmedetomidine had lower respiratory depression rate, littleeffects on hemodynamics, lower occurrence and short duration of delirium. Conclusion It is highlyrecommended that dexmedetomidine be used for sedation in AECOPD patients with mechanical ventilation.