[Determination of blood markers and inflammation in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance].

Objective: This study was designed to explore the presence of a prothrombotic state, fibrinolytic dysfunction and inflammation in impaired glucose tolerance subjects, by evaluating serum markers of thrombosis, fibrinolysis and inflammation.

Methods: In 48 consecutive adults, 25 patients with impaired glucose tolerance (nine men and 16 women, 50.0 ± 9.

[Nocardia endocarditis in aortic and tricuspid native valves].

Nocardia endocarditis in native valve is an uncommon infection that usually arises in immunodepressed patients. We report a 51-year-old man diagnosed as having Nocardia endocarditis in aortic and tricuspid native valves, which received antimicrobial therapy and required aortic valve replacement. In 6 month follow up the patient remained asymptomatic with good clinical evolution.

Diagnostic role of new Doppler index in assessment of renal artery stenosis.

Background: Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is one of the main causes of secondary systemic arterial hypertension. Several non-invasive diagnostic methods for RAS have been used in hypertensive patients, such as color Doppler ultrasound (US). The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of a new renal Doppler US direct-method parameter: the renal-renal ratio (RRR), and compare with the sensitivity and specificity of direct-method conventional parameters: renal peak systolic velocity (RPSV) and renal aortic ratio (RAR), for the diagnosis of severe RAS.