Compression therapy after invasive treatment of superficial veins of the lower extremities: Clinical practice guidelines of the American Venous Forum, Society for Vascular Surgery, American College of Phlebology, Society for Vascular Medicine, and International Union of Phlebology.

Guideline 1.1: Compression after thermal ablation or stripping of the saphenous veins. When possible, we suggest compression (elastic stockings or wraps) should be used after surgical or thermal procedures to eliminate varicose veins.

Perception of Chemical Venous Thromboprophylaxis for Oncologic Lung Resections among Thoracic Surgeons.

Background: Controversies on chemical venous thromboembolic (VTE) prophylaxis in patients undergoing lung resection for malignancy exist. The available guidelines on VTE do not specifically address its prophylaxis in patients undergoing oncologic lung resections. The goal of this survey was to evaluate the perception of VTE prophylaxis among thoracic surgeons performing these operations.

Laser Atherectomy for the Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical results of laser atherectomy in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients underwent laser atherectomy at a single institution during a 7-year period by vascular surgeons and interventional cardiologists in a tertiary university-affiliated hospital. Clinical data were retrieved from patient charts and hospital electronic medical records along with the associated arteriograms.

Variability in leg compression provided by gradient commercial stockings.

Background: Compression stockings are commonly prescribed by physicians for lower extremity edema and venous insufficiency. However, no data are available for clinicians to assess the relative quality of various brands, particularly low-cost generics now available directly to consumers through the Internet. We examined the actual compression provided by gradient stockings from multiple manufacturers.

The real cost of treating venous ulcers in a contemporary vascular practice.

Background: Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are a prevalent and morbid disease that consumes considerable health care resources. Estimates place the total costs for treatment of VLU at 1% of health care budgets in many industrialized countries. Unfortunately, there is little contemporary information on the total cost of treating VLU in the United States, particularly in a wound center staffed by vascular specialists.

Endovascular treatment of stenoses in a pediatric patient with incomplete aortic duplication, mesenteric ischemia, and renovascular hypertension.

Variations in abdominal aortic anatomy may have significant implications in various surgical procedures. We report here a pediatric patient with symptoms of chronic mesenteric ischemia, labile hypertension, and lower extremity claudication. Angiography revealed a partially duplicated aorta with the anterior aorta containing the splanchnic and renal arteries and the posterior segment perfusing the lower extremities.

Glucose metabolism during the early "flow phase" after burn injury.

Background: Burn injury (BI) is associated with insulin resistance (IR) and hyperglycemia which complicate clinical management. We investigated the impact of BI on glucose metabolism in a rabbit model of BI using a combination of positron emission tomography (PET) and stable isotope studies under euglycemic insulin clamp (EIC) conditions.

Materials And Methods: Twelve male rabbits were subjected to either full-thickness BI (B) or sham burn.

Stem cells and burns: review and therapeutic implications.

Despite significant advances in burn resuscitation and wound care over the past 30 years, morbidity and mortality from thermal injury remain high. Limited donor skin in severely burned patients hinders effective wound excision and closure, leading to infectious complications and prolonged hospitalizations. Even with large-volume fluid resuscitation, the systemic inflammatory response syndrome compromises end-organ perfusion in burn patients, with resultant multiorgan failure.

MCP-1-dependent signaling in CCR2(-/-) aortic smooth muscle cells.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1, CCL2) is a mediator of inflammation that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a wide variety of human diseases. CCR2, a heterotrimeric G-coupled receptor, is the only known receptor that functions at physiologic concentrations of MCP-1. Despite the importance of CCR2 in mediating MCP-1 responses, several recent studies have suggested that there may be another functional MCP-1 receptor.

Mechanisms of hepatocyte growth factor-mediated vascular smooth muscle cell migration.

The migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from the media into the neointima and their subsequent proliferation is important in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This process is regulated by multiple factors, including growth factors, and involves changes in the interaction of SMCs with the extracellular matrix and in intracellular signaling cascades that regulate cell movement. We demonstrated previously that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is expressed in human atherosclerotic plaques.

Hepatocyte growth factor is a survival factor for endothelial cells and is expressed in human atherosclerotic plaques.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has multiple effects on target cells upon activation of its receptor, c-Met. In endothelial cells, HGF induces migration, proliferation, and angiogenesis. HGF can also act as an anti-apoptotic factor for several cell types.