Stroke: no clear role for glycerol

Clinical bottom line (level 1a-)

  1. Patients with an acute stroke who receive iv glycerol compared with control are not clearly less likely to die or become disabled.
Righetti et al: Cochrane Library 2000; 4 : -
Expires November 2003

The study

Systematic review of all randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials of
  • Patients: acute stroke
  • Intervention: iv glycerol compared with placebo or control
  • Outcome: death, disability, adverse effects

    Articles found in all languages using Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register, to December 1999 (search terms: detailed in text ) and searching conference proceedings and contacting some trialists.

    Selection criteria: by 2 independent reviewers
    Appraisal criteria: by 2 independent reviewers based on randomisation, type of allocation concealment, blinding, intention-to-treat analysis, follow-up
    Articles excluded if:

    11 randomised controlled trials found involving 945 patients

    The evidence

    Outcome Time to outcome CER OR
    (95% CI)    		 NNT
    (95% CI)
    death 7 days 122/463
    (26.3%)    		 0.78
    (0.58 to 1.06)     		22
    (NNT = 11 to infinity;
    NNH = 87 to infinity)
    death 3-6 months 143/389
    (36.8%)    		 0.98
    (0.73 to 1.31)     		210
    (NNT = 14 to infinity;
    NNH = 15 to infinity)
    alive but disabled 3-6 months 33/107
    (30.8%)    		 1.27
    (0.73 to 2.2)     		-19
    (NNT = 16 to infinity;
    NNH = 5 to infinity)

    Citation

    1. Righetti E, Celani MG, Cantisani T, et al: Glycerol for acute stroke (Cochrane Review). Cochrane Library 2000; 4 : -
    Search Terms: stroke in Cochrane Library
    Contributor: , November 2001
    Reviewer:

    Clinical Question.
    Patient acute stroke
    Intervention or Exposure iv glycerol
    Comparison control
    Outcome death, disability
    		•