SOFA and mortality endpoints in randomized controlled trials: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis.

Background: The sequential organ failure assessment score (SOFA) is increasingly used as an endpoint in intensive care randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Although serially measured SOFA is independently associated with mortality in observational cohorts, the association between treatment effects on SOFA vs. effects on mortality has not yet been quantified in RCTs.

Nitric Oxide Resistance Reduces Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation in Chronic Kidney Disease in Rats.

Background: Autologous arteriovenous (AV) fistulas are the first choice for vascular access but have a high risk of non-maturation due to insufficient vessel adaptation, a process dependent on nitric oxide (NO)-signaling. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with oxidative stress that can disturb NO-signaling. Here, we evaluated the influence of CKD on AV fistula maturation and NO-signaling.

Phenotypic fitness of primary endothelial cells cultured from patients with high cardiovascular risk or chronic kidney disease for vascular tissue engineering.

Vascular tissue engineering relies on the combination of patient-derived cells and biomaterials to create new vessels. For clinical application, data regarding the function and behavior of patient-derived cells are needed. We investigated cell growth and functional characteristics of human venous endothelial cells (HVECs) from coronary arterial bypass graft (CABG), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and control patients.

Coagulation on endothelial cells: the underexposed part of Virchow's Triad.

The process of thrombin generation involves numerous plasma proteases and cofactors. Interaction with the vessel wall, in particular endothelial cells (ECs), influences this process but data on this interaction is limited. We evaluated thrombin generation on EA.

Prosthetic lower extremity hemodialysis access grafts have satisfactory patency despite a high incidence of infection.

Introduction: Prosthetic arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) in the lower extremity represent a useful alternative for hemodialysis vascular access when all upper limb access sites have been used or in some patients when freedom of both hands is necessary during dialysis. Reported complications include an increased risk of infection and limb ischemia. This study evaluated our experience with the patency outcomes and complication rates of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) AVGs placed in the thigh.

Usage and outcomes of deceased donor liver allografts with preprocurement injury from blunt trauma.

The use of extended criteria donors is an effective way of reducing the shortage of deceased donor organs. Evidence of significant liver trauma in a deceased donor usually rules out transplantation of the liver. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use and outcomes of donor livers with preprocurement trauma.

Histological features of human abdominal aortic aneurysm are not related to clinical characteristics.

Background: Clinical presentation, maximal aortic diameter (Dmax), and growth rate are considered important clinical characteristics of the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Histologically, AAA is characterized by pathological changes of the media. In the present study, we investigated whether and how the histological features of AAA were related to clinical characteristics.