Abstract | BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group trials register, Medline (from 1965), Embase (from 1981), ISI (from 1981) and the Ottawa stroke trials registry. We contacted drug companies. SELECTION CRITERIA: DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria. Trial quality was assessed. MAIN RESULTS: Five trials were included. Four trials tested pentoxifylline in 763 people, and one tested propentofylline in 30 people. No trials of pentifylline were found. Early death (within four weeks) occurred in 34 of 408 patients given a methylxanthine drug compared with 49 of 385 given placebo (odds ratio 0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.41 to 1.02). This non-significant trend to less deaths was due mainly to one pentoxifylline trial that found a highly significant reduction in early deaths. Two trials reported early death or disability and found a non-significant reduction (odds ratio 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.20 to 1.20). Late death (beyond four weeks) was reported in the propentofylline trial involving 30 patients, with no difference between treatment and placebo (odds ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.13 to 3.68). Data for neurological impairment and disability were not in a form suitable for analysis. Data on quality of life, stroke recurrence, thromboembolism and bleeding were not reported. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There is not enough evidence to assess the effectiveness and safety of methylxanthines after acute ischaemic stroke.
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Authors | P M Bath, F J Bath, K Asplund |
Journal | The Cochrane database of systematic reviews
(Cochrane Database Syst Rev)
Issue 2
Pg. CD000162
( 2000)
ISSN: 1469-493X [Electronic] England |
PMID | 10796310
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review, Systematic Review)
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Chemical References |
- Neuroprotective Agents
- Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
- Vasodilator Agents
- Xanthines
- propentofylline
- pentifylline
- Theobromine
- Pentoxifylline
|
Topics |
- Brain Ischemia
(drug therapy)
- Humans
- Neuroprotective Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Pentoxifylline
(therapeutic use)
- Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
(therapeutic use)
- Stroke
(drug therapy)
- Theobromine
(analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
- Vasodilator Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Xanthines
(therapeutic use)
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