Centellicum® improves scarring of traumatic wounds with irregular edges (lacerations).

Background: Centellicum, a standardized Centella Asiatica extract, has been used orally for fibrosis and scar prevention. The main aim of this 2-month registry pilot study was the reduction of visible, significant scars and keloids after suturing traumatic wounds with irregular edges (lacerations), using Centellicum.

Methods: The effects of oral Centellicum (450 mg/day; 2 capsules) and a standard management (SM) on wound healing were compared with the effects of a control group that used only the standard management.

Prevention of recurrent venous thrombosis and post-thrombotic syndrome.

Background: This retrospective registry study evaluated different managements on the development of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) and recurrent deep venous thrombosis (R-DVT). The effects of aspirin (100 mg/day), added to the "standard management" (SM) (IUA consensus), were observed in patients after a proximal DVT.

Methods: The study started after the anticoagulant period.

Management of Varicose Veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency in a Comparative Registry with Nine Venoactive Products in Comparison with Stockings.

The aim of this registry study was to compare products used to control symptoms of CVI. Endpoints of the study were microcirculation, effects on volume changes, and symptoms (analogue scale). Pycnogenol, venoruton, troxerutin, the complex diosmin-hesperidin, Antistax, Mirtoselect (bilberry), escin, and the combination Venoruton-Pycnogenol (VE-PY) were compared with compressions.

Supplementary management of benign prostatic hypertrophy with Prostaquil. An 8-week registry.

Unlabelled: The aim of this registry was to evaluate the management of initial symptoms of benign prostatic hyperthrophy (BPH) in otherwise healthy subjects, using Prostaquil® (Alchem) in a 8-week registry. Prostaquil was used at the dosage of 200 mg/day. The product includes Pygeum extract (100 mg) and Saw palmetto oil (35 mg).

Effects of Pycnogenol® on endothelial dysfunction in borderline hypertensive, hyperlipidemic, and hyperglycemic individuals: the borderline study.

Aim: This registry study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementation with pycnogenol on altered endothelial function (EF) in borderline hypertensive, hyperlipidemic and hyperglycemic subjects without atherosclerotic changes in their main arteries and no coronary artery disease.

Methods: Flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and endothelium-independent (EID) dilatation were measured with brachial ultrasound after occlusion. Also, after occlusion, laser Doppler (LDF) flux and distal straingauge flow were measured.

The efficacy of sulodexide in the prevention of postthrombotic syndrome.

Aim: The aim of this open, observational registry was to evaluate the effects of antithrombotic treatment on the development of postthrombotic syndrome (PTS): the effects of "standard management" (SM; according to International Union of Angiology guidelines) were compared to SM in association with sulodexide or aspirin.

Methods: Postthrombotic syndrome occurrence was observed in 3 nonparallel groups after deep venous thrombosis (DVT); the registry started after the end of the anticoagulation period. The target was to observe the occurrence of PTS in 5 years.

Pycnogenol® in postpartum symptomatic hemorrhoids.

Aim: The aim of this registry study was to evaluate the efficacy of Pycnogenol® (Horphag Research Ltd.), a standardized extract from the French maritime pine bark, to control signs/symptoms and prevent complications associated with hemorrhoids in the months after delivery in healthy women.

Methods: Women with hemorrhoids after their second pregnancy were included within the third month after pregnancy.

Meriva®, a lecithinized curcumin delivery system, in diabetic microangiopathy and retinopathy.

Background: In the present study, the improvement of diabetic microangiopathy and retinopathy was evaluated in 38 diabetic patients treated with a novel curcumin phospholipids delivery form (Meriva®).

Methods: Diabetes was diagnosed at least 5 years before inclusion and all patients had signs of retinal oedema and of peripheral microangiopathy. Meriva® was administered at the dosage of 2 tablets/day (each tablet containing 500 mg Meriva® corresponding to 100 mg curcumin) for a period of at least 4 weeks in addition to the standard management plan, while a comparable group of subjects (n = 39) followed the standard management plan alone.

[Severe intermittent claudication: PGE1 treatment. A 40-week registry, efficacy and costs].

Aim: Intermittent claudication (IC) in peripheral vascular disease is characterized by lower limb pain appearing on effort. Treatment with PGE1 has been successfully used to manage IC patients. This registry has evaluated safety and costs of PGE1 in the management of IC.

Osteoporosis of the jaw. Product evaluation: mf Odontovis Calcium®.

Aim: The aim of this study was to test mf Odondovis Calcium® as a food supplement in a 3-month product evaluation study measuring how the low jaw bone density, could be improved. The upper jaw density was tested with an ultrasound method, evaluating the grey scale median of the images (GSM).

Methods: Seventy nine subjects were enrolled; 22 normal subjects (group A) and 57 with upper jaw osteoporosis (according to DEXA values).

Pycnogenol® improvements in asthma management.

Aim: The simplification of the management of asthma in the different clinical phases of this common chronic inflammatory disorder is the main goal of therapy. Pycnogenol®, a standardized extract of French maritime pine bark, inhibits expression of 5-lipoxygenase and consequently decreases leukotriene levels in asthmatic patients. Pycnogenol® anti-inflammatory activities may be supportive when taken in addition to inhalation corticosteroid (ICS), putatively allowing for a reduction in dosage and frequency of ICS administration.

Potential role of curcumin phytosome (Meriva) in controlling the evolution of diabetic microangiopathy. A pilot study.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the improvement of diabetic microangiopathy in patients suffering from this condition since at least five years, and whose disease was managed without insulin.

Methods: Curcumin, the orange pigment of turmeric, has recently received increasing attention because of its antioxidant properties, mediated by both direct oxygen radical quenching and by induction of anti-oxidant responses via Nrf2 activation. This aspect, combined with the beneficial effects on endothelial function and on tissue and plasma inflammatory status, makes curcumin potentially useful for the management of diabetic microangiopathy.

Gore external valve support for superficial saphenous vein incompetence: a 10-year, follow-up registry.

Aim: This long-term (10-year) study evaluated the safety and efficacy of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) external valve support (EVS) implants used for external valvuloplasty in the treatment of incompetence of the proximal long saphenous veins.

Methods: During a 10-year follow-up, patients with superficial venous disease and venous hypertension due to pure superficial vein incompetence underwent an external valvuloplasty using an EVS with a PTFE suture. Forty-nine patients were included in the EVS group and 47 in the control group.

Silver oxide ointment wound dressing in venous ulcerations: home, self-management.

Aim: Venous ulcers are a common, chronic medical and social problem. These ulcers are difficult to heal in most patients with sustained venous hypertension. This pilot product evaluation registry study has evaluated the efficacy and safety of an antimicrobial silver oxide wound dressing ointment ("Silver Oxide Ointment") as part of the treatment of 'difficult' venous ulcerations.

Prevention of post thrombotic syndrome with Pycnogenol® in a twelve month study.

Aim: Post-thrombotic syndrome is a common complication following deep vein thrombosis. The aim of this twelve month registry study was to compare the efficacy of compression stockings and per oral administration of Pycnogenol® standardized pine bark extract on the severity and incidence of post thrombotic syndrome signs and symptoms.

Methods: One hundred fifty-six patients with a single, major episode of proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were assigned to one of three groups receiving treatment with either compression stockings (group 1), Pycnogenol® (group 2) or the combination of both (group 3) over an investigational period of one year.

Venoruton®: post thrombotic syndrome. Clinical improvement in venous insufficiency (signs and symptoms) with Venoruton®. A five-year, open-registry, efficacy study.

Aim: This registry evaluation was conducted in post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) patients (with a minimum five-year follow up). The study evaluated: 1) variations in peripheral edema with an analogue scoring system; 2) ankle circumference at the PTS limb in comparison with the normal contralateral limb.

Methods: The difference was expressed in percent increase in circumference measured at the PTS limb; 3) other end-points were observed in a five-year follow-up that created a specific PTS registry.

Venous and diabetic ulcerations: management with topical multivalent silver oxide ointment.

Aim: In addition to contemporary compression therapy, one of the therapeutic approaches is the use of a topical wound care agent. The goal of this pilot registry study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a uniquely designed ointment containing multivalent silver oxide (Ag4O4) in the healing of difficult diabetic or venous ulcerations.

Methods: Patients who had ulcers resulting from chronic venous insufficiency or diabetes participated in this open-label, randomized registry study.

Patency of arteriovenous fistula for dialysis improbe with topical spraygel heparin.

Aim: Vascular access for hemodialysis can be provided by a native arteriovenous fistula (AVF), a synthetic arteriovenous graft (AVG), or a central venous catheter. The mature, native fistula is considered the preferred type of vascular access. This study evaluates the results of a retrospective registry assessing topically applied heparin (added to antiplatelet therapy) efficacy in patients with newly created AVF.

Faster healing of venous ulcers with crystacide: a clinical and microcirculatory 8-week registry study.

Aim: This registry evaluated the result of treatment with Crystacide in 73 patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and ulcerations. The local application of a hydrogen peroxide cream (Crystacide, Sandoz) onto the skin was evaluated with clinical and microcirculatory parameters. After briefing, one group used Crystacide and standard management for ulcers, including compression.

Pycnogenol treatment of acute hemorrhoidal episodes.

We investigated the efficacy of orally and topically applied Pycnogenol for the management of acute hemorrhoidal attacks in a controlled, randomized study with 84 subjects. Within less than 48 h of onset of an acute attack, patients were enrolled and signs and symptoms were scored. This evaluation was repeated after seven days' treatment and again seven days following treatment cessation.

Variations in C-reactive protein, plasma free radicals and fibrinogen values in patients with osteoarthritis treated with Pycnogenol.

In a previous, double-blind, placebo-controlled study we evaluated the efficacy of a 3-month treatment with Pycnogenol for 156 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Pycnogenol significantly decreased joint pain and improved joint function as evaluated using the WOMAC score and walking performance of patients on a treadmill. In this study, we further investigated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of Pycnogenol in a subset of the osteoarthritis patients presenting with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and plasma-free radicals.

Management of uncomplicated ankle sprains with topical or oral ketoprofen treatment. A registry study.

Ankle sprains mainly caused by accidents or strenuous sport activities can often be quite painful and impair motility. If not treated immediately and correctly, sprains may lead to severe complications. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy and safety of topically applied ketoprofen versus orally administered ketoprofen in 20 patients with grade I ankle sprain and 34 patients with grade II sprain.

Treatment of osteoarthritis with Pycnogenol. The SVOS (San Valentino Osteo-arthrosis Study). Evaluation of signs, symptoms, physical performance and vascular aspects.

The aim of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of 100 mg Pycnogenol daily (oral capsules) in a 3 month study in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). OA symptoms were evaluated by WOMAC scores, mobility by recording their walking performance (treadmill). Treatment (77 patients) and placebo group (79) were comparable for age, sex distribution, WOMAC scores, walking distances and use of antiinflammatory drugs.

Lymphatic tissue transplant in lymphedema--a minimally invasive, outpatient, surgical method: a 10-year follow-up pilot study.

Lymphedema is mainly characterized by swelling, fibrosis, and non-pitting edema. The aim of this study was evaluation of the long-term (10 years) effects of autologous lymphatic tissue implant in lymphedema. Lymphatic tissue from 9 patients (harvested form the same patient in areas not affected by lymphedema) was reimplanted into the affected limb, and these patients were followed for 10 years.

Improvement of microcirculation and healing of venous hypertension and ulcers with Crystacide: evaluation with a microcirculatory model, including free radicals, laser doppler flux, and PO2/PCO2 measurements.

In 32 patients with chronic venous insufficiency and venous hypertension associated with ulcerations, the effects of the local application of a hydrogen peroxide cream (Crystacide) applied onto the skin was evaluated using a complex, proportional, microcirculatory model to assess and quantify venous microangiopathy after local treatment. A comparative group treated without Crystacide was included. Laser Doppler flowmetry was used to assess skin perfusion (flux and venoarteriolar response) in association with transcutaneous PO2 and PCO2 measurements.