Antiplatelet Therapy for Critically Ill Patients: A Pairwise and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis

• Published in: Shock (Augusta, Ga.) Ga.), 2018-06, Vol.49 (6), p.616-624
• Main Authors: Du, Fangbing, Jiang, Pan, He, Shengteng, Song, Dongming, Xu, Feng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1073-2322; 1540-0514
• DOI: 10.1097/SHK.0000000000001057

ABSTRACTAntiplatelet therapy is an attractive treatment option for critically ill patients. However, more evidence on the benefit of this therapy is required. We searched the PubMed and Embase databases from their inception to June 2017 for randomized controlled trials and observational studies that assess the effect of antiplatelet therapy in critically ill patients. Antiplatelet therapy resulted in significant decreases in hospital mortality (risk ratio [RR] 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68–0.97; P = 0. 025), intensive care unit (ICU) mortality (RR 0.78, 95% CI, 0.63–0.97; P = 0. 027), incidence of respiratory distress syndrome or acute lung injury (RR 0.73, 95% CI, 0.58–0.91; P = 0.006), and incidence of sepsis (RR 0.81, 95% CI, 0.68–0.97; P = 0.021). A predefined subgroup analysis according to patient type suggested that hospital mortality and ICU mortality benefits were seen only in septic patients (RR 0.71, 95% CI, 0.58–0.86; P