Bolus arterial-venous transit in the lower extremity and venous contamination in bolus chase three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography.

Rationale And Objectives: To investigate the phenomena and causes for undesired venous signal in the distal station of bolus chase 3D MRA.

Methods: Consecutive patients (in 8 months) undergoing peripheral MRA consisting of 2D projection MRA of the tibial trifurcation and 3D bolus chase MRA were retrospectively evaluated. Venous contamination in mid-calf in bolus chase 3D MRA was correlated to the arterial phase duration, the time between the contrast bolus arrival and venous return measured on time resolved 2D images.

Microinjection of DNA into the nuclei of human vascular smooth muscle cells.

Background: It is challenging to successfully transfect human vascular cells by conventional techniques. We evaluated the efficiency of transfection of human smooth muscle cells (SMC) using a method of direct nuclear microinjection of DNA constructs.

Materials And Methods: The nuclei of explanted human saphenous vein SMC were microinjected with the plasmid pCMVbeta, containing the lacZ gene for beta-galactosidase (beta-gal).

Prolonged administration of doxycycline in patients with small asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms: report of a prospective (Phase II) multicenter study.

Background: The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate compliance, side effects, and safety associated with prolonged administration of doxycycline in patients with small asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). A secondary goal was to determine how treatment with doxycycline influences circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in this patient population.

Methods: Thirty-six patients with AAAs (30 men and 6 women; mean age, 69 +/- 1 years) were enrolled into a 6-month phase II study to evaluate treatment with doxycycline (100 mg orally twice a day).

Contrast material travel times in patients undergoing peripheral MR angiography.

Purpose: To retrospectively review time-resolved two-dimensional projection magnetic resonance (MR) angiographic data to characterize the passage of gadolinium-based contrast material down the leg arteries in patients undergoing peripheral MR angiography.

Materials And Methods: Data of 87 consecutive standardized peripheral MR angiographic examinations were retrospectively reviewed to determine contrast material arrival times to the common femoral artery (CFA), the popliteal and tibial arteries, and the corresponding veins. Travel times were correlated with clinical data obtained with retrospective chart review and predictive multiparameter models developed with stepwise linear regression.

Naked plasmid DNA encoding fibroblast growth factor type 1 for the treatment of end-stage unreconstructible lower extremity ischemia: preliminary results of a phase I trial.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerance of increasing single and repeated (n = 2) doses of intramuscular naked plasmid DNA encoding for fibroblast growth factor (FGF) type 1 (NV1FGF) administered to patients with unreconstructible end-stage peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD). The secondary objectives were to determine the biologic activity of NV1FGF on hemodynamic and clinical parameters associated with improved perfusion.

Methods: Fifty-one patients with unreconstructible peripheral arterial occlusive disease with rest pain or tissue necrosis underwent treatment with intramuscular NV1FGF.

Why insurers should reimburse for compression stockings in patients with chronic venous stasis.

Background: Chronic venous stasis ulcers produce substantial morbidity rates and result in a significant expense to society. Fortunately, compression stockings (CS) have been found to reduce the rate of recurrence in patients with previous ulceration. Surprisingly, Medicare and other insurers do not reimburse the expense associated with CS or with patient education (Ed), which is essential to ensure compliance.

Recommended standards for reports dealing with arteriovenous hemodialysis accesses.

The incidence rate of treated end-stage renal disease in the united states is 180 per million and continues to rise at a rate of 7.8% per year. Arteriovenous hemodialysis access (AV access) creation and maintenance are two of the most difficult issues associated with the management of patients on hemodialysis.