Endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke improves and maintains function in the very elderly: A multicentre propensity score matched analysis.

Introduction: The very elderly (⩾80 years) are under-represented in randomised endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) clinical trials for acute ischaemic stroke. Rates of independent outcome in this group are generally lower than the less-old patients but the comparisons may be biased by an imbalance of non-age related baseline characteristics, treatment related metrics and medical risk factors.

Patients And Methods: We compared outcomes between very elderly (⩾80) and the less-old (<80 years) using retrospective data from consecutive patients receiving EVT from four comprehensive stroke centres in New Zealand and Australia.

Cannabis in Palliative Care: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence.

Context: Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life in patients with incurable illness. Medicinal cannabis (MC) has been used in the palliative care setting to address multiple symptoms in patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the full scope of available literature investigating the effects and potential harms of MC on symptom management and quality of life in palliative care.

Dose-response relationship of ICS/fast-onset LABA as reliever therapy in asthma.

Background And Objective: The dose-response relationship of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/fast-onset long acting beta agonist (LABA) reliever therapy has not been formally addressed. The objective of this retrospective analysis is to ascertain from the available evidence whether ICS/fast-onset LABA administered as reliever therapy has a different dose-response relationship than maintenance fixed dose ICS/fast-onset LABA therapy in reducing risk of severe exacerbations.

Methods: A systematic literature review was undertaken to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which randomised treatments included either i) budesonide/formoterol reliever monotherapy versus budesonide/formoterol fixed dose maintenance with short acting beta agonist (SABA) reliever therapy, or ii) budesonide/formoterol reliever therapy in addition to budesonide/formoterol maintenance versus higher fixed dose maintenance budesonide/formoterol with SABA as reliever therapy.