Proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells cultured onto three different polymers in vitro.

In this study, the osteoinductive and cell-binding properties of three different resorbable polymers were evaluated by human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs were isolated, expanded, and cultivated onto resorbable D,D,L,L-polylactide (PLLA), collagen I/III, and polygalactin-910/polydioxanone (PGPD) scaffolds in vitro. To evaluate the influence of dexamethasone, ascorbic acid, and beta-glycerolphosphate (DAG) on osteoblast differentiation, MSCs were incubated in a DAG-enriched medium.

Preliminary clinical experience with polyurethane vascular prostheses in femoro-popliteal reconstruction.

Following promising results in animals, implantation of polyurethane vascular prostheses for femoral reconstruction was performed in 15 patients over a 10-month period. This prospective study was carried out to evaluate the patency, limb salvage and complications associated with this type of small diameter conduit for arterial occlusive diseases. The indications for surgery included acute and chronic ischaemia, non-healing ulceration or gangrene.

Blood viscoelasticity response during carotid endarterectomy.

As demonstrated in many studies ischemic brain injury causes microcirculatory disturbances which is reflected in changes in the rheological behavior of blood. This is caused by multifactorial interaction between blood cells and damaged endothelium in the capillary network with release of tissue metabolites and by-products of cellular injury with resulting increased cellular permeability producing a volume shift into the interstitium and, subsequently, a rise in the hematocrit density. Drop in perfusion pressure produces an increase in whole blood viscosity.

Distal popliteal and tibioperoneal transluminal angioplasty: long-term follow-up.

The long-term efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for treatment of occlusive lesions involving arteries below the knee was evaluated in 168 consecutive patients. The procedure was preceded by intraarterial thrombolysis in 33 patients with failing femorodistal grafts. Indications were disabling claudication in 40 cases (24%), acute ischemia in 18 (11%), rest pain in 49 (29%), and tissue necrosis in 61 (36%).