Could oral rivaroxaban replace fondaparinux injections for superficial vein thrombosis? This 2017 appraisal of SURPRISE examines its non-inferiority design, composite outcomes, bleeding and generalisability, asking how convenience should be weighed against uncertainty about benefits and harms.
The rise and SURPRISE of the DOACs. St.Emlyn’s Read More
An accessible 2017 introduction to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis explains why PrEP matters to emergency clinicians and patients. It discusses the evidence available then, sexual-health follow-up and the limits of protection, with access and prescribing details reflecting that period.
Are you PrEP-d for your Saturday night? St.Emlyn’s Read More
Does icatibant help ACE inhibitor-associated angioedema? This 2017 review contrasts an encouraging small trial with a larger placebo-controlled study that found no faster recovery, while explaining why its results cannot settle treatment for immediately life-threatening cases.
Icatibant for ACE inhibitor induced angioedema Read More
Anand Swaminathan revisits his SMACCDub argument for considering thrombolysis in selected patients with submassive pulmonary embolism. This 2017 opinion piece weighs possible functional benefits against major bleeding, emphasising patient selection, shared decisions and the uncertainty in the evidence available then.
A sceptical 2017 appraisal of a systematic review of intravenous thrombolysis for acute stroke. The post examines functional outcomes, bleeding and mortality, showing how interpretation of benefits and harms fuels disagreement; it presents the author’s historical critique rather than current treatment guidance.
JC: Kicking against the prick: Systematic Review of stroke thrombolysis Read More
Could selected patients with uncomplicated appendicitis receive antibiotics without a hospital admission? This 2016 appraisal examines a small pilot trial, questioning its mixed treatment comparison, restrictive eligibility and what feasibility findings can establish before a larger, more definitive study.
JC: Does every appendicitis need admission? St.Emlyn’s Read More
Does low-molecular-weight heparin prevent symptomatic clots after lower-limb casting? This 2016 review of POT-CAST examines a trial that found no statistically significant reduction, while discussing patient selection, low event numbers and the unresolved question of benefit in higher-risk groups.
JC: Clots in Pots gets Top Spot. Thromboprophylaxis at St.Emlyn’s Read More
How convincing were the early results for andexanet alfa in major bleeding associated with factor Xa inhibitors? This 2016 appraisal examines an interim report, distinguishing laboratory reversal from clinical haemostasis and questioning whether limited, unblinded data could establish effectiveness and safety.
JC: Reversal of DOACs with Andexanet Alfa. St.Emlyn’s Read More
