Effective arteriovenous fistula alternative for hemodialysis access.

Background: The use of autologous arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) for hemodialysis (HD) is the gold standard; however, for many patients at tertiary referral centers, this is not an option.

Methods: We conducted a four year retrospective cohort study to evaluate HD access outcomes with AVF, bovine carotid artery (BCA), and polytetrafluoroethylene arteriovenous graft (PTFE).

Results: The study contained 416 AVF, 175 BCA, and 58 PTFE, N = 649.

Short-term inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation by clopidogrel ameliorates radiation-induced toxicity in rat small intestine.

Endothelial dysfunction and increased platelet aggregation may be involved in the pathogenesis of normal tissue radiation toxicity. This study assessed clopidogrel, an inhibitor of ADP-induced platelet aggregation, as a modulator of intestinal radiation injury (radiation enteropathy). Rat small intestine was exposed to 21 Gy X-radiation.