Physical activity and PDE5 inhibitors in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: results of a randomized controlled study.

Introduction: Physical activity (PhA) has proven to be a protective factor for normal erectile function in numerous epidemiological studies.

Aim: The aim of this study was to establish if PhA could have a therapeutic role in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED).

Methods: This was a randomized, open-label study.

The risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism among heterozygous carriers of factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A mutation. A systematic review of prospective studies.

Factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin G20210A mutation (PTM) are the two most common genetic polymorphisms known to predispose to a first episode of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, whether these thrombophilic abnormalities are also risk factors for recurrent VTE is unclear. We conducted a systematic review of prospective studies to assess the risk of recurrent VTE associated with heterozygous carriage of each of these mutations.

Superficial vein thrombosis: risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment.

Superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) is a very common disease even though its incidence has never been assessed properly. Until recently, the literature on this topic has been relatively poor, old, and with numerous methodologic drawbacks, probably because this disease was considered benign and trivial. However, the recent recognition of a frequent association with concomitant venous thromboembolism (VTE) (deep vein thrombosis [DVT] and pulmonary embolism [PE]) and the risk of subsequent VTE complications in patients with isolated SVT has revived interest and has encouraged new clinical research.

Incidence of arterial cardiovascular events in patients with idiopathic venous thromboembolism. A retrospective cohort study.

Recent data have shown a higher incidence of arterial events in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) of unknown origin than in those with the secondary form of disease. Whether patients with idiopathic VTE have a higher risk of subsequent arterial events than the general population is unknown. The aim was to evaluate the rates of subsequent arterial events in patients with idiopathic VTE and control subjects.

Below-knee elastic compression stockings to prevent the post-thrombotic syndrome: a randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Because only limited evidence suggests that elastic stockings prevent the post-thrombotic syndrome in patients with symptomatic deep venous thrombosis (DVT), these stockings are not widely used.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of compression elastic stockings for prevention of the post-thrombotic syndrome in patients with proximal DVT.

Design: Randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Incidence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary embolism.

Background: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTPH) is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Its incidence after pulmonary embolism and associated risk factors are not well documented.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, long-term, follow-up study to assess the incidence of symptomatic CTPH in consecutive patients with an acute episode of pulmonary embolism but without prior venous thromboembolism.

Subcutaneous adjusted-dose unfractionated heparin vs fixed-dose low-molecular-weight heparin in the initial treatment of venous thromboembolism.

Background: Few reports have addressed the value of unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low-molecular-weight heparin in treating the full spectrum of patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE), including recurrent VTE and pulmonary embolism.

Methods: In an open, multicenter clinical trial, 720 consecutive patients with acute symptomatic VTE, including 119 noncritically ill patients (16.5%) with pulmonary embolism and 102 (14.

An association between atherosclerosis and venous thrombosis.

Background: In about a third of patients with venous thromboembolism, the cause of the disorder is unexplained. In patients with atherosclerosis, activation of both platelets and blood coagulation and an increase in fibrin turnover are detectable, which may lead to thrombotic complications. Whether atherosclerosis is associated with an increased risk of venous thrombosis is unknown.

Residual venous thrombosis as a predictive factor of recurrent venous thromboembolism.

Background: The optimum duration of anticoagulant therapy after an episode of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is controversial. Contributing to the controversy is uncertainty about whether residual venous thrombosis, as assessed by repeated ultrasonography over time, increases the risk for recurrent thromboembolism.

Objective: To determine the risk for recurrent thromboembolism in patients who have persistent residual thrombosis compared with patients who have early vein recanalization.

Recurrent venous thromboembolism and bleeding complications during anticoagulant treatment in patients with cancer and venous thrombosis.

A small proportion of patients with deep vein thrombosis develop recurrent venous thromboembolic complications or bleeding during anticoagulant treatment. These complications may occur more frequently if these patients have concomitant cancer. This prospective follow-up study sought to determine whether in thrombosis patients those with cancer have a higher risk for recurrent venous thromboembolism or bleeding during anticoagulant treatment than those without cancer.

High versus low doses of unfractionated heparin for the treatment of superficial thrombophlebitis of the leg. A prospective, controlled, randomized study.

Background And Objectives: The optimal treatment of superficial thrombophlebitis of the leg is undefined. The main study objective was to assess the efficacy and safety of unmonitored high doses as compared to low doses of unfractionated heparin (UFH) for prevention of venous thromboembolic complications in patients with superficial thrombophlebitis of the thigh.

Design And Methods: Sixty consecutive patients with acute thrombophlebitis of the great saphenous vein, as assessed by ultrasonography, were randomized to subcutaneous injection twice daily of UFH in high unmonitored doses (12,500 IU for one week followed by 10,000 IU) or prophylactic doses (5,000 IU) for four weeks.