Vanessa Karlinski Vizentin

Introduction: Azithromycin, with its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, has been explored as a potential option for preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants. Objective: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing azithromycin with placebo for the prevention of BPD in preterm infants. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Central databases were searched for studies comparing azithromycin versus placebo in preterm infants. Outcomes of interest included the composite of BPD and death, BPD, death, grade 2 or higher necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), grade 3 or 4 intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), retinopathy of prematurity (RoP), duration of mechanical ventilation, and postnatal corticosteroid requirement. Random-effects model was used to generate risk ratio (RR), mean difference (MD), and 95% confidence interval (CI) (CRD42024558752). Results: The meta-analysis included 6 RCTs including 1,360 infants (azithromycin n = 680, 50%). The composite of BPD or death (RR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.83–1.10; p = 0.53; I2 = 50.2%), BPD (RR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.83–1.15; p = 0.77; I2 = 38.1%), death (RR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.66–1.19; p = 0.41; I2 = 0%), NEC (RR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.69–1.26; p = 0.67; I2 = 0%), IVH (RR: 1.22; 95% CI: 0.89–1.68; p = 0.22; I2 = 3.5%), RoP (RR: 1.35; 95% CI: 0.43–4.28; p = 0.61; I2 = 76.3%), duration of mechanical ventilation (MD: 0.13; 95% CI: −1.35 to 1.60; p = 0.87; I2 = 0%), and postnatal corticosteroid requirement (RR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.64–1.08; p = 0.18; I2 = 34.5%) were similar between the groups. Conclusion: In preterm infants, azithromycin did not significantly change the risk of adverse clinical outcomes compared with placebo.

Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) often require long‐term oral anticoagulation (OAC), but it is unclear whether to continue or interrupt OAC during the procedure. This meta‐analysis compares clinical outcomes of continuing versus interrupting OAC during TAVI. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases were searched from inception to September 2024 for studies comparing continuation versus interruption of OAC in patients undergoing TAVI with an indication for OAC, including vitamin K antagonists and direct oral anticoagulants. Risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using a random‐effects model. Sensitivity analysis was performed using the Hartung‐Knapp‐Sidik‐Jonkman method. Three studies were included, one randomized controlled trial and two cohort studies, with 2773 patients, of whom 1314 (47.4%) continued OAC during TAVI. At a 30‐day follow‐up after TAVI, there were no significant differences between groups in all‐cause mortality (RR 0.74; 95% CI 0.45–1.20; p = 0.22), any bleeding (RR 1.08; 95% CI 0.81–1.43; p = 0.60), and major bleeding (RR 0.90; 95% CI 0.67–1.21; p = 0.48). However, the continued OAC group was associated with a lower stroke rate (RR 0.65; 95% CI 0.42–1.01; p = 0.053), also attested after a sensitivity analysis (RR 0.65; 95% CI 0.47–0.90; p < 0.03). In patients with an indication for OAC undergoing TAVI, uninterrupted anticoagulation is associated with similar thrombotic and hemorrhagic outcomes compared to interrupted OAC. Stroke risk was lower in the continued OAC group, with a significant reduction, as demonstrated in sensitivity analysis.

Levetiracetam (LEV) and carbamazepine (CBZ) are effective monotherapies for focal epilepsy in children. However, the best drug remains controversial. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing LEV and CBZ monotherapy in the management of pediatric focal epilepsy (PFE). We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until February 2024 comparing LEV and CBZ monotherapy in PFE. Statistical analysis was performed using R version 4.2.2, heterogeneity was assessed using I² statistics, and the risk of bias was evaluated using the RoB-2 tool. Risk Ratios (RR) with p < 0.05 were considered significant. The outcomes of interest were seizure freedom, any adverse events, adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation, dermatologic adverse events, and the frequency of at least one seizure, defined as the proportion of patients experiencing one or more seizures during the treatment period. Four RCTs comprising 381 children with a mean age of 7.32 to 9.28 years were included, of whom 186 (48.8%) received LEV monotherapy. There was no significant difference between groups (RR: 1.15; 95% CI 0.88–1.50; p = 0.31; I² = 90%) regarding seizure freedom. The frequency of at least one seizure (RR: 0.71; 95% CI 0.52–0.97; p = 0.03; I² = 8%) and dermatologic adverse events (RR: 0.24; 95% CI 0.09–0.64; p < 0.01; I² = 0%) were both significantly lower in the LEV group. There were no significant differences in the presence of any adverse events (RR: 0.58; 95% CI 0.33–1.01; p = 0.05; I² = 36%) or adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation (RR: 0.67; 95% CI 0.13–3.42; p = 0.63; I² = 30%).Conclusion: In monotherapy, LEV was more advantageous than CBZ for PFE, with a lower frequency of seizures and fewer dermatological adverse events. However, both drugs are equally effective in achieving seizure freedom, adverse events without specification, and those that lead to treatment discontinuation. Our findings have important implications for clinical practice and decision-making in this condition. What is Known: • Both LEV and CBZ are effective monotherapies for pediatric focal epilepsy. • The use of LEV or CBZ monotherapy for the management of children with focal epilepsy remains controversial. What is New: • No significant differences were observed between the LEV and CBZ groups in terms of overall seizure freedom, safety, and tolerance. • However, LEV resulted in a lower frequency of at least one seizure and fewer dermatological adverse events than CBZ.