Sclerostin is expressed in the atherosclerotic plaques of patients who undergoing carotid endarterectomy.

Background: Sclerostin (SC) is a monomeric glycoprotein expressed by osteocytes that affects bone formation. Recent studies have suggested a potential role for this protein in the pathophysiology of vascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate SC expression in atherosclerotic plaques of patients affected by severe atherosclerotic disease who underwent carotid endarterectomy.

Increased FGF23 serum level is associated with unstable carotid plaque in type 2 diabetic subjects with internal carotid stenosis.

Background: The object of this study was to investigate the potential role of FGF23 on plaque stability in type 2 diabetic patients with internal carotid artery stenosis.

Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed FGF23 serum level in 361 type 2 diabetic patients with internal carotid artery stenosis undergoing carotid endarterectomy and in 598 diabetic controls without carotid atherosclerosis.

Results: We found that FGF23 median serum levels was significantly higher in patients than in diabetic controls [67.

[Pulmonary hypertension in the elderly].

In the past decade, a significant improvement has been done in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension, a devastating disease. Beside the aging population, one of the next challenges is to develop a specific management of a pulmonary hypertension's suspicion, in the aged patients. In fact, recent data have shown that if pulmonary hypertension were mostly related to chronic heart or lung failure, or pulmonary embolism, some elderly may in fact develop a real pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Identification of a potential proinflammatory genetic profile influencing carotid plaque vulnerability.

Objective: Atherosclerosis and vascular remodeling after injury are driven by inflammation and mononuclear cell infiltration. Unstable atherosclerotic plaques are characterized by a large necrotic core. In this study we investigated the distribution and interaction between gene polymorphisms encoding proinflammatory molecules in an Italian population with internal carotid artery stenosis (ICAS).

Outcomes in the emergency endovascular repair of blunt thoracic aortic injuries.

Thoracic aorta blunt injury (BAI) is a highly lethal lesion. A large number of victims die before obtaining emergency care. Thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) is a less invasive method compared with open surgery and may change protocols for BAI treatment.

Assessment of the genetic effects of polymorphisms in the osteoprotegerin gene, TNFRSF11B, on serum osteoprotegerin levels and carotid plaque vulnerability.

Background And Purpose: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a secretory glycoprotein which belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. Various mechanisms have been suggested by which calcification might alter atherosclerotic plaque stability, but the significance of this intimal calcification is controversial. High concentrations of OPG have been associated with the presence of vascular and cardiovascular diseases.

Multiple thromboembolism with multiple causes in a 69-year-old woman: a case report.

Introduction: Aggressive, recurrent embolisms require accurate etiologic diagnosis. We describe the case of a 69-year-old Italian Caucasian woman with recurrent arterial embolisms in whom several sources and triggers of thrombosis were detected.

Case Presentation: The patient, a 69-year-old Italian Caucasian woman, presented with a systemic embolism that was initially attributed to atrial fibrillation.

Control of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, a neglected disease: results of a control programme in Satipo Province, Peru.

Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) is an important health problem in many rural areas of Latin America, but there are few data on the results of programmatic approaches to control the disease. We report the results of a control programme in San Martin de Pangoa District, which reports one of the highest prevalences of MCL in Peru. For 2 years (2001--2002), the technicians at the health post were trained in patient case management, received medical support and were supplied with antimonials.

Carotid artery dissection. Correlation of different diagnostic techniques.

Dissection of the carotid artery is a rare entity, but a frequent cause of cerebrovascular accidents in young adults and can result in severe neurologic consequences that are often irreversible. Carotid dissection can be secondary to trauma, brisk rotation of hyperextension of the neck, as a complication in certain diseases. It may lead to distal embolization, complete occlusion of the vessel, extensive or limited stenosis, aneurysmal form which has the appearance of a berry aneurysm or resolution of the process with complete patency of the dissected vessel.

[Coarctation of he abdominal aorta].

The Authors report a 49-year-old woman complaining of slight nocturnal lower limb pain in whom an uncommon type IV coarctation of the infrarenal aorta associated with multiple renal arteries, slight hypoplasia of iliac and femoral arteries bilaterally, and a retroaortic left vein were found. She underwent an aorto-aortic prosthetic repair. The correction of this vascular condition was followed by partial improvement of her symptoms.

Clinical performance of low-profile bioprostheses: results at 10 years.

The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the long-term performance of the Liotta minimally intrusive bioprosthesis (MIB) and to identify its most important risk factors. From January 1980 to March 1982, 73 patients (30 males and 43 females; mean age 45.5 years +/- 11.

[Surgical treatment through embolectomy of embolism of the superior mesenteric artery (author's transl)].

The Authors present four cases of embolism of the superior mesenteric artery treated surgically, with satisfactory results, through embolectomy with Fogarty's catheter. The Authors affirm the necessity of always following this type of intervention, given its simplicity and the high rate of mortality of non treated embolism. Some anatomical and physio-pathological considerations are remembered and diagnostic and surgical promptness are recommended.