Atherosclerotic calcification and intimal medial thickness of the carotid arteries.

Background And Purpose: Carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT) is a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis and is predictive of future cardiovascular events. The purpose of this study was to determine the significance and magnitude of association between IMT and atherosclerotic calcification of the carotid arteries.

Methods: Forty-five subjects underwent electron beam computed tomography of the neck to ascertain the extent of atherosclerotic calcification in the carotid arteries followed by B-mode carotid ultrasonography for IMT.

The predictive power of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol for coronary calcification.

Background: Chronic elevation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a major risk factor for developing atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation and predictive power of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol for calcified atheromatous disease as measured by electron beam computed tomography.

Methods: Six-thousand and ninety-three subjects underwent electron beam computed tomography of their coronary arteries, serum lipid testing, body fat determination and assessment of health status by questionnaire.

Thrombosis of the descending thoracic aorta: a case report.

A 76-year-old woman with primary polycythemia vera had emboli to both superficial femoral arteries and to a branch of the superior mesenteric artery. Polycythemia vera is a neoplastic disease of bone marrow stem cells in which increased red cell production leads to hyperviscosity manifested by propensity to thromboembolic phenomena. These problems usually occur in smaller vessels, sparing large vessels that have high blood flow.

Roentgenographic marking using surgical staples after in situ saphenous venous bypass.

A method to localize A-V fistulas is described herein, using sterile staples as makers with angiography. This may decrease the operative time spent searching for A-V fistulas and may diminish morbidity and help improve the patency of the graft.

Aorto-caval fistula: a clinical spectrum.

Ten cases of aortocaval fistula (ACF) associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) were reviewed. In 5 cases the ACF became apparent after evacuation of the thrombus; only 5 patients presented with features of patent ACF. Four patients in addition presented with extra-caval rupture of the aneurysm.