Healing process of venous ulcers: the role of microcirculation.

In order to describe adequately the process of healing in the intermediate degrees, we investigated microcirculatory changes in the venous ulcers at well-defined stages of wound repair. We investigated dynamic changes in microcirculation during the healing process of venous ulcers. Ten venous ulcers were investigated in three consecutive clinical stages of wound healing: non granulation tissue (NGTA), GTA and scar.

Microcirculation in mixed arterial/venous ulcers and the surrounding skin: clinical study using a laser Doppler perfusion imager and capillary microscopy.

To treat mixed skin ulcers effectively, it is important to investigate skin microcirculation in greater detail. Therefore, we used laser Doppler perfusion imaging and capillary microscopy for assessing both subpapillary and nutritive microcirculation in four defined regions of the skin in 17 patients with mixed ulcers caused by a combination of peripheral arterial occlusive disease and chronic venous insufficiency. Laser Doppler area flux was significantly higher in the ulcer areas than in the areas without granulation tissue and those in intact skin.

Arterial remodeling and hemodynamics in carotid stents: a prospective duplex ultrasound study over 2 years.

Objective: This study was undertaken to study negative and positive arterial remodeling processes within self-expanding carotid stents, their interaction, and the resulting changes in hemodynamics over 2 years, with duplex ultrasound scanning.

Subjects And Methods: One hundred twelve consecutive patients with 121 successfully stented carotid arteries were examined with color-coded duplex ultrasound scanning the day after the stent procedure and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months of follow-up. The stent diameters at the proximal, middle, and distal regions, and the maximal neointimal thickness (B-mode) and hemodynamic parameters were recorded.

Effect of carotid artery stenting on the external carotid artery.

Objective: We studied the fate of the ipsilateral external carotid artery (ECA) after stenting of the internal carotid artery (ICA) compared with the contralateral ECA.

Subjects And Methods: One hundred twenty-one ipsilateral ECAs in 112 consecutive patients who underwent carotid artery Wallstent placement were prospectively studied with color-coded duplex sonographic scanning (CCDS) and compared with 83 contralateral ECAs over 2 years. CCDS was scheduled for the day before (day 0), the day after (day 1) and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after stenting.

Healing of carotid stents: a prospective duplex ultrasound study.

Purpose: To study the dynamics of carotid stent healing over a 2-year period using duplex ultrasound imaging.

Methods: One hundred twelve patients with 121 successfully stented carotid arteries were examined with color-coded duplex ultrasound the day after the stent procedure and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months in follow-up. The maximal thickness and echogenicity of the layer between the stent and the perfused lumen (SPL) were evaluated.