Vascular smooth muscle mechanics in isolated perfused segments of carotid arteries.

Background: We hypothesized that smooth muscle contraction and relaxation responses in a muscle bath (isometric tension) would be different than responses of intact vessels (isotonic tension).

Methods: Bovine carotid artery contractile responses to the catecholamine, norepinephrine, and smooth muscle relaxant, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, were examined in strips of vessels in a muscle bath and in intact whole vessels in an isolated perfused whole-vessel perfusion apparatus.

Results: The maximal tension in the muscle bath depended on the length of the strip.

Endothelial-dependent vasodilation is associated with increases in the phosphorylation of a small heat shock protein (HSP20).

Purpose: Increases in the phosphorylation of a small heat shock protein (HSP20) are associated with cyclic nucleotide-dependent vasorelaxation. The effect of pressure and flow on vessel diameter was studied. We hypothesized that physiologic conditions that induce vasorelaxation would lead to increases in HSP20 phosphorylation.

Iliofemoral venous thrombosis caused by compression of an internal iliac artery aneurysm: a minimally invasive treatment.

Purpose: To report the success of a minimally invasive treatment for phlegmasia cerulea dolens without gangrene caused by compression from an internal iliac artery aneurysm.

Methods And Results: An 81-year-old male with a 1-month history of paralysis owing to a hemorrhagic stroke presented with massive edema and skin mottling of the right lower extremity. Imaging confirmed right iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis caused by compression from a 4-cm internal iliac artery aneurysm.

Popliteal artery aneurysm treated with a minimally invasive endovascular approach: an initial report.

Purpose: To report a minimally invasive approach to popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) treatment.

Methods And Results: A 48-year-old male with a 3-cm PAA was treated electively with an endovascular in situ saphenous vein bypass and transluminal antegrade coil embolization of the PAA prior to completion of the proximal anastomosis. Two short incisions at the anastomosis sites resulted in no wound complications, and the patient was discharged after 2 days.

Thrombin-induced vasospasm: cellular signaling mechanisms.

Background: In the setting of arterial injury, thrombin contributes to the hemostatic process by activating the coagulation cascade and platelets. We hypothesized that thrombin also contributes to hemostasis by inducing vasospasm. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the cellular signaling mechanisms that modulate thrombin-induced vascular smooth muscle contractions.