Relationship between Syntax Score and prognostic localization of coronary artery lesions with conventional risk factors, plasma profile markers, and carotid atherosclerosis (CAPP Study 2).

Background: Data concerning the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors, plasmatic markers, carotid disease and extent of coronary lesions are lacking.

Objectives: To evaluate the role of cardiovascular risk factors, plasmatic levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen, lipoprotein(a), and carotid plaque extension in predicting the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: We analyzed 574 subjects undergoing first coronary angiography.

Predictors of improved quality of life and claudication in patients undergoing spinal cord stimulation for critical lower limb ischemia.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine predictors of improved quality of life and claudication in patients undergoing spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for critical lower limb ischemia.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 101 consecutive patients with few meter claudication and nonhealing ulcer who underwent definitive SCS. These patients were selected among 274 SCS patients treated at our center from 1995 to 2012.

Outcome in cirrhotic patients after elective surgical repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysm.

Objective: Abdominal surgery in patients with advanced liver disease has been reported to be associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. However, the surgical risk of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in cirrhotics remains ill-defined. We reviewed our experience to investigate the predictors of the outcome in cirrhotic patients after elective AAA open repair.

Carotid Endarterectomy: experience in 8743 cases.

Introduction: Recently published case series of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy suggested a reduction in the rate of perioperative neurologic events when compared to those reported in the large randomized trials performed in the 1990s, without great differences between high and low risk patients.

Methods: As a major center of Vascular Surgery we prospectively collected data on 8743 carotid endarterectomy procedures (eversion technique 75%, patch closure 17.5%) performed in the period 1992-2009.

Endovascular treatment of ruptured penetrating aortic ulcers.

Penetrating aortic ulcer (PAU) is a potentially lethal lesion that should be promptly diagnosed and treated. Because of the older age and serious comorbidity of these patients, outcome with rupture of the ulcer is often ominous, even when appropriate conventional surgical treatment is given. In this study we report our experience with two cases of endovascular treatment of ruptured PAU in two elderly female patients who had evident signs of intrathoracic bleeding.