Endothelial dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease: insights from a flow-mediated dilation study.

Background: The use of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) as a surrogate indicator for the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) remains largely unknown. We assessed FMD at the brachial artery in 89 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Methods And Results: Patients were classified in groups 0 to 3 according to the number of diseased vessels and the SYNTAX score was calculated.

A retrospective analysis of hospitalized patients with documented deep-venous thrombosis and their risk of pulmonary embolism.

The question of when and how intensively patients with deep-venous thrombosis (DVT) can ambulate remains scarcely underlined. The authors evaluated the evolution of DVT by comparing bed rest and mobilization and using all variables potentially relevant to a risk/benefit evaluation in 252 patients. The end points were the progression of the thrombotic disease and the incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) at 30 days.

Altered serum inhibin b levels in adolescents with varicocele.

Background/purpose: Different studies have evaluated testicular hormonal dysfunction in adolescent varicocele but with variable results. Recently, inhibin B has been proposed as a marker for spermatogenesis and Sertoli cell function. The aim of the present study was to study in a homogeneous cohort of adolescents inhibin B and other hormones to detect whether untreated varicocele may be associated with any modifications of these factors.

A comparison of Power Doppler with conventional sonographic imaging for the evaluation of renal artery stenosis.

Background: Power Doppler (PD) has improved diagnostic capabilities of vascular sonography, mainly because it is independent from the angle of insonation. We evaluated this technique in a prospective comparison with conventional imaging, consisting in Duplex and Color Doppler, for the evaluation of Renal Artery (RA) stenosis.

Methods: Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of PD and conventional imaging were assessed in a blinded fashion on eighteen patients, 9 with angiographic evidence of unilateral RA stenosis (hypertensive patients) and 9 with angiographically normal arteries (control group).

Ischaemic stroke in young people: a prospective and long-term follow-up study.

Background: A few studies have comprehensively assessed the epidemiology, aetiology, prognosis, and secondary prevention of ischaemic stroke in young adults. To gain further information on this field, we have prospectively studied a hospital-based series of young adults with a first-ever episode of cerebral ischaemia (CI).

Methods: Sixty consecutive patients aged 17-45 with ischaemic stroke (55 patients) or transient ischaemic attack within 24 h before hospital admission were recruited and investigated by a standardized rigorous protocol.

Endothelial functions in pathophysiology of thrombosis and fibrinolysis: late spontaneous recanalization of an occluded internal carotid artery--a case report.

The use of oral contraceptives is a potential cause of ischemic stroke in young women. The risk of stroke is higher when contraceptives contain high levels of estrogens. A thrombotic occlusion of the right internal carotid artery, seen on ultrasound, developed in a patient who was taking high-dose estrogen contraception.