[Evaluation of intermittent claudication using a treadmill with measurement of systolic pressure at the ankle following exercise].

Intermittent claudication (IC) and maximum walking distance (MWD) were studied in 173 patients and compared to post-stress Doppler claudicant ankle pressure (PSCAP) and to ankle index (PSCAI) recorded 2 minutes after exercise. Self-evaluation of MWD by the patient was inaccurate in 60% of cases. The treadmill testing (at 12% of rate and 2 miles/hour) exhibited a clinically overt IC in 93 cases with MWD of 166 m +/- 76, a PSCAP of 24 mm Hg +/- 24 and a PSCAI of 0.

[Discrete distal gangrene].

The authors present their statistical findings from 114 cases of discrete distal gangrene. They stress the importance of a rigorous methodology to detect mechanical causes from the thoracic outlet syndrome and immunological causes, predominantly scleroderma, especially in women. It is important not to overlook blood diseases nor those cases which are a presentation of underlying cancer.

[Radiation-induced coronary artery disease. One observation (author's transl)].

Twenty-seven reports (26 from the literature) of radiation ischemic heart diseases are studied in order to specify their clinical and pathological findings and their natural history. This complications appear after treatment of radiation-curable diseases with a mean delay of 4 years in young patients (mean age of 31). Several coronary arteries are often injured with fibrous and or atherosclerotic anatomical lesions.

[Alpha blockers and microcirculation (author's transl)].

The new compounds such as Prazosin are antihypertensive agents. Their action on blood pressure are a consequence of a direct action on vascular smooth muscle with little or no effect on cardiac output. This action is very important to reduce total peripheral resistance.