Drug benefit‐risk (BR) analysis is based on firm clinical evidence regarding various safety and efficacy outcomes. In this paper, we propose a new and more formal approach for constructing a supporting multi‐criteria model that fully takes into account the evidence on efficacy and adverse drug reactions. Our approach is based on the stochastic multi‐criteria acceptability analysis methodology, which allows us to compute the typical value judgments that support a decision, to quantify decision uncertainty, and to compute a comprehensive BR profile. We construct a multi‐criteria model for the therapeutic group of second‐generation antidepressants. We assess fluoxetine and venlafaxine together with placebo according to incidence of treatment response and three common adverse drug reactions by using data from a published study. Our model shows that there are clear trade‐offs among the treatment alternatives. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Repeated ST2 measurements appeared to be a strong predictor of outcome in patients with acute HF, independent of repeatedly measured NT-proBNP. Hence ST2 may be helpful in clinical practice for prognostication and treatment monitoring. (TRanslational Initiative on Unique and novel strategies for Management of Patients with Heart failure [TRIUMPH]; NTR1893).

Patients with AHF and preserved renal function are decongested better, as shown by an increase in hemoglobin. A rapid increase in hemoglobin during the first week is independently associated with a favorable outcome, despite a slight decrease in renal function.