Pharmacological interventions for asymptomatic carotid stenosis.

Background: Carotid artery stenosis is narrowing of the carotid arteries. Asymptomatic carotid stenosis is when this narrowing occurs in people without a history or symptoms of this disease. It is caused by atherosclerosis; that is, the build-up of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls.

Duplex ultrasound for surveillance of lower limb revascularisation.

Background: Lower extremity atherosclerotic disease (LEAD) - also known as peripheral arterial disease - refers to the obstruction or narrowing of the large arteries of the lower limbs, most commonly caused by atheromatous plaque. Although in many cases of less severe disease patients can be asymptomatic, the major clinical manifestations of LEAD are intermittent claudication (IC) and critical limb ischaemia, also known as chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI). Revascularisation procedures including angioplasty, stenting, and bypass grafting may be required for those in whom the disease is severe or does not improve with non-surgical interventions.

Interventions for motor rehabilitation in people with transtibial amputation due to peripheral arterial disease or diabetes.

Background: Amputation is described as the removal of an external part of the body by trauma, medical illness or surgery. Amputations caused by vascular diseases (dysvascular amputations) are increasingly frequent, commonly due to peripheral arterial disease (PAD), associated with an ageing population, and increased incidence of diabetes and atherosclerotic disease. Interventions for motor rehabilitation might work as a precursor to enhance the rehabilitation process and prosthetic use.

Antiplatelet agents for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis.

Background: Antiplatelet agents may be useful for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) when used in addition to best medical practice (BMP), which includes anticoagulation, compression stockings, and clinical care such as physical exercise, skin hydration, etc. Antiplatelet agents could minimise complications such as post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) and pulmonary embolism (PE). They may also reduce the recurrence of the disease (recurrent venous thromboembolism (recurrent VTE)).

Duplex ultrasound for diagnosing symptomatic carotid stenosis in the extracranial segments.

Background: Carotid artery stenosis is an important cause of stroke and transient ischemic attack. Correctly and rapidly identifying patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis is essential for adequate treatment with early cerebral revascularization. Doubts about the diagnostic value regarding the accuracy of duplex ultrasound (DUS) and the possibility of using DUS as the single diagnostic test before carotid revascularization are still debated.

Ultrasound guidance for arterial (other than femoral) catheterisation in adults.

Background: Arterial vascular access is a frequently performed procedure, with a high possibility for adverse events (e.g. pneumothorax, haemothorax, haematoma, amputation, death), and additional techniques such as ultrasound may be useful for improving outcomes.