A multicenter randomized controlled trial of endovascular therapy following imaging evaluation for ischemic stroke (DEFUSE 3).

Rationale Early reperfusion in patients experiencing acute ischemic stroke is effective in patients with large vessel occlusion. No randomized data are available regarding the safety and efficacy of endovascular therapy beyond 6 h from symptom onset. Aim The aim of the study is to demonstrate that, among patients with large vessel anterior circulation occlusion who have a favorable imaging profile on computed tomography perfusion or magnetic resonance imaging, endovascular therapy with a Food and Drug Administration 510 K-cleared mechanical thrombectomy device reduces the degree of disability three months post stroke.

DITPA (3,5-Diiodothyropropionic Acid), a thyroid hormone analog to treat heart failure: phase II trial veterans affairs cooperative study.

Background: In animal studies and a pilot trial in patients with congestive heart failure, the thyroid hormone analog 3,5 diiodothyropropionic acid (DITPA) had beneficial hemodynamic effects.

Methods And Results: This was a phase II multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of New York Heart Association class II to IV congestive heart failure patients randomized (2:1) to DITPA or placebo and treated for 6 months. The study enrolled 86 patients (n=57 to DITPA, n=29 to placebo).

Secondhand tobacco smoke in children with asthma: sources of and parental perceptions about exposure in children and parental readiness to change.

Background: Secondhand smoke triggers childhood asthma. Understanding sources of exposure, parental beliefs about exposure, and readiness to change that exposure are important for designing smoke exposure reduction interventions.

Methods: As part of screening for a clinical trial of a smoke exposure reduction intervention, 519 smoke-exposed children 3 to 12 years old with asthma provided urine specimens for cotinine testing, and their primary caregivers completed questionnaires.

Effects of 12 months of vagus nerve stimulation in treatment-resistant depression: a naturalistic study.

Background: The need for effective, long-term treatment for recurrent or chronic, treatment-resistant depression is well established.

Methods: This naturalistic follow-up describes outpatients with nonpsychotic major depressive (n = 185) or bipolar (I or II) disorder, depressed phase (n = 20) who initially received 10 weeks of active (n = 110) or sham vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) (n = 95). The initial active group received another 9 months, while the initial sham group received 12 months of VNS.