Showing papers by "Ingram Olkin published in 2011"

Inequalities: Theory of Majorization and Its Applications

Abstract: Introduction.- Doubly Stochastic Matrices.- Schur-Convex Functions.- Equivalent Conditions for Majorization.- Preservation and Generation of Majorization.- Rearrangements and Majorization.- Combinatorial Analysis.- Geometric Inequalities.- Matrix Theory.- Numerical Analysis.- Stochastic Majorizations.- Probabilistic, Statistical, and Other Applications.- Additional Statistical Applications.- Orderings Extending Majorization.- Multivariate Majorization.- Convex Functions and Some Classical Inequalities.- Stochastic Ordering.- Total Positivity.- Matrix Factorizations, Compounds, Direct Products, and M-Matrices.- Extremal Representations of Matrix Functions.

Systematic Review: Benefits and Harms of In-Hospital Use of Recombinant Factor VIIa for Off-Label Indications

Abstract: Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is an expensive and potent procoagulant. Intravenous use of rFVIIa was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999 for patients with Hemophilia A or B and antibody inhibitors against standard factor replacements. Recently its use has expanded beyond these approved indications to encompass a wide range of in-hospital off-label applications. Off-label drug use refers to any application that deviates from FDA approved use. The FDA drug approval process mandates that randomized clinical trials demonstrate efficacy and safety. Once approval is given, however, physicians are free to use the drug for other indications. While off-label use is legal and allows for rapid adoption of some therapies, the available evidence supporting it usually falls short of the rigor that accompanies FDA review. While the resulting uncertainty may be acceptable, concerns increase when off-label use is applied to conditions that are clinically distinct from approved indications or it is frequent, costly, or associated with important side-effects or harms. Increasing off-label use of rFVIIa for hospitalized patients has occurred despite concerns regarding efficacy and safety, including evidence suggesting an increased rate of thromboembolic events (1–5). Our comparative effectiveness review evaluates the benefits and harms of in-hospital off-label rFVIIa use in adults for the selected indications of intracranial hemorrhage, cardiac surgery, trauma, liver transplantation, and prostatectomy.