Mechanisms of increased vascular superoxide production in human varicose veins.

Introduction: Varicose vein disease is one of the most common morbidities in the developed countries. Recent studies have shown that oxidative stress is increased in varicose veins (VV) and venous insufficiency. However, the exact mechanisms of oxidative stress in VV remain unknown.

Red blood cell rheology in patients with chronic venous disease (CVD).

Rheological studies concerning aggregation and elongation of erythrocytes were carried out in 21 patients (mean age 56 years) with chronic venous disease (CVD) and 10 (mean age 45 years) healthy control subjects, with the use of a LORCA device. Higher values of parameters characterizing both erythrocyte elongation (EI) and aggregation (gammathr) in non-control patients than in the control group were found. These values differed significantly ranging from 1.

[Surgical site infections following vascular surgery].

Objective: The aim of this paper was to perform epidemiological and microbiological analyses of surgical site infections diagnosed in patients after vascular surgery in two highly specialist centers in the year 2005.

Methods: The study was conducted in two highly specialist wards in 2005 and covered totally 413 procedures. SSI's detection was based on definitions developed according to CDC guidelines.

Efficacy and tolerability of liposomal heparin spraygel as an add-on treatment in the management of superficial venous thrombosis.

Superficial venous thrombosis usually resolves spontaneously in a few weeks. In most cases, treatment includes peroral analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs accompanied by the recommendation to wear elastic stockings and perform regular mild ambulation. In contrast to this "standard treatment," a recent ACCP guideline has recommended that patients affected by spontaneous superficial thrombophlebitis be treated with intermediate doses of unfractionated or low-molecular-weight heparin.

Red blood cell deformability in patients with claudication after pain-free treadmill training.

Objectives: To assess the effect of pain-free treadmill training on red blood cell deformability and walking distance in patients with claudication.

Design: Randomized-controlled trial of exercise training.

Setting: Patients were recruited from the primary care, vascular outpatient clinic.

Experimental model of pain-free treadmill training in patients with claudication.

Objective: Treadmill training in claudication is often based on walking exercise to a pain threshold or longer to the maximum muscle pain of the lower limbs. This kind of exercise may cause an inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to determine whether pain-free treadmill training using walking exercise to 85% of the distance to onset of claudication pain can significantly improve pain-free walking distance in patients with intermittent claudication and to evaluate whether this kind of program may induce an inflammatory response leading to the progression of atherosclerosis.

Efficacy and safety of the freeze-dried cultured human keratinocyte lysate, LyphoDerm 0.9%, in the treatment of hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers.

LyphoDerm (XCELLentis, Belgium) is an end-sterilized, freeze-dried lysate from cultured allogeneic epidermal keratinocytes, formulated into a hydrophilic gel. Its efficacy and safety were evaluated, in combination with standard care (hydrocolloid dressing and compression therapy), in 194 patients suffering from hard-to-heal (lasting more than 6 weeks and not responding to conventional therapy) venous leg ulcers. Two control groups received standard care, with or without vehicle, respectively.

Low molecular weight heparin versus acenocoumarol in the secondary prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis.

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous weight-adjusted dose low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) compared with oral anticoagulant (OA) in the prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism. In a prospective multicenter trial, 202 patients with symptomatic proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were included. As soon as the diagnosis of DVT was confirmed by phlebography, 101 were randomly assigned to receive LMWH (nadroparin) for secondary prophylaxis and 101 to receive OA (acenocoumarol).

[Diabetic foot syndrome in clinical practice. II. Results after one year at the Diabetic Foot Consulting Unit].

The study included 46 patients with the diabetic foot syndrome and ulcerations, and 40 patients with high-risk foot. Mean duration of hospitalization of the patients with ulcerations was 54 days, mean daily glycemia decreased from 162.5 mg% to 114.

[Diabetic foot syndrome in clinical practice. I. A model of a Diabetic Foot Consulting Unit].

Complex pathogenesis of the foot syndrome involving a number of body system and tissues provided us with grounds for making multispecialistic assessment of its severity. Also a decision about the type and intensity of procedure should be multispecialistic. An interdisciplinary team consists of a diabetologist, diabetic educator, podiatrist, kinesitherapist, orthopedist, general and vascular surgeon and a consultant from manufacturing corrective shoes.

[Effect of extended anticoagulant therapy on long-term results of bypass for arterial occlusive disease].

Data selected from the questionnaire supplied by the 14 centres of vascular surgery have been analysed. All operated patients have been followed-up for 5 years. An analysis revealed that long-term oral anticoagulant therapy following vascular grafting statistically significantly improved the outcome of surgery in comparison with patients who have not been given oral anticoagulants.