Here are listed all critical appraisals published on the website. All of them have been developed using systematic approach and integrating Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklists.
Monoclonal antibodies against interleukin 6 are being investigated and used in COVID-19. These drugs have been found to reduce mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Tocilizumab is a known immunomodulatory drug commonly used in rheumatoid arthritis. Its purpose in covid had been looked at in this trial.
Remdesivir has a lot of attention as promising antiviral agent against COVID-19. This largest coronavirus study cast a shadow of doubt on effectiveness of remdesivir and other agents on mortality of patients with COVID-19.
In pursue of effective treatment for severe COVID-19 many different antiviral medication have been used. Combined HIV treatment lopinavir-ritonavir showed some inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-1 and therefore was trialled in new coronavirus causing COVID-19.
While the world awaits an efficient vaccine for coronavirus, many therapeutics are currently being investigated in hope to improve clinical outcomes. One of the most promising one is currently remdesivir. Wang et al. published the first randomised placebo-controlled trial of its use in severe COVID-19.
High intensity statin for secondary prevention after ischaemic stroke is standard of therapy. What should be the level of LDL and if lower levels have better outcomes is less clear. Treat Stroke to Target trial had looked into outcomes of patients after ischaemic stroke treated to higher and lower LDL target.
The Intracoronary Stenting and Antithrombotic Regimen: Rapid Early Action for Coronary Treatment (ISAR-REACT) 5 trial looked at two different strategies using ticagrelor or prasugrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing invasive evaluation.
Diabetes is a long-term condition that can have a major impact on the life of a child or young person, as well as their family or carers. The International Diabetes Closed Loop (iDCL) Trial is parallel-group, unblinded, randomized trial that reviews the effectiveness and safety of a new closed-loop system in comparison to sensor-augmented pump.
Status epilepticus is recognised neurological emergency. The Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial (ESETT) was a multi-centre, double-blinded three-arm trial that investigated use of anticonvulsive medications (levetiracetam, fosphenytoin, valproate) in benzodiazepine-resistant status epilepticus among patients older than 2 years.
Combination of clinical prediction tool and D-dimer should be used in diagnostic algorithm for most cases of suspected pulmonary embolism. Current practice use cut-off of 500 ng/ml for negative in low probability cases. Pulmonary Embolism Graduated D-Dimer (PEGeD) Study looked at the use of D-dimer adjusted to clinical probability in order to decrease the burden of diagnostic imaging in selected patients.