Current evidence suggests that home telehealth has the potential to reduce costs, but its impact from a societal perspective remains uncertain until higher quality studies become available.

Results were highly sensitive to patient characteristics. Rivaroxaban and dabigatran 110 mg were unlikely to be cost-effective. For different characteristics, apixaban or dabigatran 150 mg were optimal. Thus, the choice between these two options may come down to the price of apixaban and further evidence on the impact of major and minor bleeds with dabigatran.

ObjectiveTo examine the comparative efficacy and safety of antithrombotic treatments (apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban and vitamin K antagonists (VKA) at a standard adjusted dose (target international normalised ratio 2.0–3.0), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), ASA and clopidogrel) for non-valvular atrial fibrillation and among subpopulations.DesignSystematic review and network meta-analysis.Data sourcesA systematic literature search strategy was designed and carried out using MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials and the grey literature including the websites of regulatory agencies and health technology assessment organisations for trials published in English from 1988 to January 2014.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesRandomised controlled trials were selected for inclusion if they were published in English, included at least one antithrombotic treatment and involved patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation eligible to receive anticoagulant therapy.ResultsFor stroke or systemic embolism, dabigatran 150 mg and apixaban twice daily were associated with reductions relative to standard adjusted dose VKA, whereas low-dose ASA and the combination of clopidogrel plus low-dose ASA were associated with increases. Absolute risk reductions ranged from 6 fewer events per 1000 patients treated for dabigatran 150 mg twice daily to 15 more events for clopidogrel plus ASA. For major bleeding, edoxaban 30 mg daily, apixaban, edoxaban 60 mg daily and dabigatran 110 mg twice daily were associated with reductions compared to standard adjusted dose VKA. Absolute risk reductions with these agents ranged from 18 fewer per 1000 patients treated each year for edoxaban 30 mg daily to 24 more for medium dose ASA.ConclusionsCompared with standard adjusted dose VKA, new oral anticoagulants were associated with modest reductions in the absolute risk of stroke and major bleeding. People on antiplatelet drugs experienced more strokes compared with anticoagulant drugs without any reduction in bleeding risk. To fully elucidate the comparative benefits and harms of antithrombotic agents across the various subpopulations, rigorously conducted comparative studies or network meta-regression analyses of patient-level data are required.Systematic review registration numberPROSPERO registry—CRD42012002721.

Rasburicase was administered at a fixed dose of 3 mg to treat 287 episodes of elevated serum uric acid levels (>7 mg/dL) in 247 adult patients with hematological malignancies. The median total dose of 36 μg/kg (range: 18-65) was a fraction of the recommended total pediatric dose of 0.75-1.0 mg/kg. The median change in uric acid levels at 24 h was -4.1 mg/dL (range: -12 to +1) and -45% (range: -95 to +9). Uric acid levels normalized at 24 h in 72% of patients. There was no relationship between the weight-based dose and uric acid decline. The only predictor of success was the baseline uric acid; the failure rate was 84% with baseline level >12 mg/dL and 18% if it was ≤ 12. Uric acid levels continued to decline beyond 24 h in most patients without additional treatment. Serum creatinine remained stable over 24 h, and declined over 48 h and 7 days. There was no relationship between the extent of reduction in uric acid levels and serum creatinine. We conclude that a single 3-mg dose of rasburicase, used with close monitoring, is sufficient to treat most adults with uric acid levels up to 12 mg/dL.