title: Iron chelators for acute stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stroke is a serious public health problem that causes morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Iron chelators are potential neuroprotective drugs to treat patients with both hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the administration of iron chelators in patients with acute stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (May 2012), the Chinese Stroke Trials Register (May 2012), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1950 to May 2012), EMBASE (1980 to May 2012), Science Citation Index (1980 to May 2012) and three Chinese databases. In an effort to identify further published, unpublished and ongoing trials we searched ongoing trials registers, checked reference lists, and contacted authors and pharmaceutical companies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included published and unpublished randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of iron chelator versus no iron chelator or placebo for the treatment of acute stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two review authors independently screened search results to identify the full texts of potentially relevant studies for inclusion. From the results of the screened searches two review authors independently selected trials meeting the inclusion criteria, with no disagreement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found no completed RCTs eligible for inclusion in the review. We identified one ongoing RCT but no data were available.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is insufficient evidence to support or refute the use of iron chelators for the treatment of acute stroke. Further RCTs are required to assess the effect of iron chelators in people with acute stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Junpeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hao
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents