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FcRn plays a major role in regulating immune homeostasis, but it is also able to transport biologics across cellular barriers. The question of whether FcRn could be an efficient transporter of biologics across the nasal epithelial barrier is of particular interest, as it would allow a less invasive strategy for the administration of biologics in comparison to subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous administrations, which are often used in clinical practice. A focused systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. It was registered on the international prospective register of systematic reviews PROSPERO, which helped in identifying articles that met the inclusion criteria. Clinical and preclinical studies involving FcRn and the nasal delivery of biologics were screened, and the risk of bias was assessed across studies using the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT). Among the 12 studies finally included in this systematic review (out of the 758 studies screened), 11 demonstrated efficient transcytosis of biologics through the nasal epithelium. Only three studies evaluated the potential toxicity of biologics' intranasal delivery, and they all showed that it was safe. This systematic review confirmed that FcRn is expressed in the nasal airway and the olfactory epithelium, and that FcRn may play a role in IgG and/or IgG-derived molecule-transcytosis across the airway epithelium. However, additional research is needed to better characterize the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of biologics after their intranasal delivery.

Several low-impact laparoscopic strategies have been developed to improve the safety of pneumoperitoneum. We conducted a systematic review to establish the current evidence base for the use of the AIRSEAL ® insufflation device for low-pressure pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic surgery. We searched the literature using several electronic databases, for studies with comparative design published in the English language from January 2010 to April 2020. The population of interest included patients with any type of health condition who underwent laparoscopic surgery using the AIRSEAL ® insufflation system or a standard CO 2 insufflator. Ten studies (four randomized clinical trials/six non-randomized clinical trials), that enrolled 1394 participants in total who underwent urology, gynaecology or abdominal surgeries, were included. Total complication rates were similar between groups. Only three studies evaluated the impact of the insufflation system on post-operative pain, and showed inconsistent benefit of AIRSEAL ® (significant decrease in pain in two studies, no difference in one). The same was observed in the two sole studies in which pain killers consumption was measured (significant decrease in morphine consumption 24 h after surgery in one study, no difference in the other). Operative duration was significantly shorter with AIRSEAL ® in three studies. For both post-operative room and total length of stay, there was no difference between groups. No studies reported economic outcomes. Current literature supports the feasibility of the AIRSEAL ® system during laparoscopic surgery but more studies are required to establish the added clinical benefit and to explore the preferences of physicians and patients.

High-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) requires hemodynamic and respiratory support along with reperfusion strategies. Recently updated European guidelines assign a low class of recommendation to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for high-risk PE. This systematic review assessed clinical outcomes after ECMO in high-risk PE. We searched electronic databases including PubMed, Embase and Web of Science from January 2000 to April 2020. Efficacy outcomes included in-hospital survival with good neurological outcome and survival at follow-up. Safety outcomes included lower limb ischemia and hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Where possible (absence of high heterogeneity), meta-analyses of outcomes were undertaken using a random-effects model. We included 16 uncontrolled case-series (533 participants). In-hospital survival with good neurological outcome ranged between 50% and 95% while overall survival at follow-up ranged from 35% to 95%, both with a major degree of heterogeneity (I 2 > 70%). The prevalence of lower limb ischemia was 8% (95% CI 3% to 15%). The prevalence of stroke (either hemorrhagic or ischemic) was 11% (95% CI 3% to 23%), with notable heterogeneity (I² = 63.35%). Based on currently available literature, it is not possible to draw definite conclusions on the usefulness of ECMO for high-risk PE. Prospective, multicenter, large-scale studies or nationwide registries are needed to best define the role of ECMO for high-risk PE. PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42019136282 .

Background: Our objective was to review economic evaluations on stent-retriever thrombectomy (SRT) added/not added to intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large-vessel occlusion (LVO)., Methods: We conducted a systematic review using several electronic databases and searching for studies published from January 2009 to September 2017., Inclusion Criteria: any publication type reporting the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of SRT in people with AIS secondary to LVO. Quality assessment was undertaken with the CHEERS and the Philips' checklists., Results: Eight original articles (four from North America/four from Europe) were included; of these, seven were model-based cost-effectiveness studies and one was a study conducted alongside a clinical trial. The perspective was the healthcare system in seven studies, and societal in one. The time horizon was lifetime (minimum 20 years) in all but two studies where it was 1 and 5 years. Overall, studies were rated of good quality (mean score 79%; range 70-90). Data sources, effectiveness outcomes and other input parameters were heterogeneous across studies. In three studies, SRT was dominant (less expensive and more effective). In five studies, SRT was more expensive and generated more quality-adjusted life years but had a high probability (79-100%) to be cost-effective at conventional thresholds., Conclusion: This review shows that SRT added/not added to IV t-PA is likely to be cost-effective or even dominant, which is consistent with the opinion from several Health Technology Assessment bodies recommending SRT. However, our findings are supported by primary studies with substantial methodological heterogeneity.