Effect of Brief Counseling by Allied Health Professionals on Step Count of People With Peripheral Artery Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: It is unclear how to effectively promote walking in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Objective: To test whether brief counseling delivered by allied health professionals increases step count in participants with PAD.

Design, Setting, And Participants: In this randomized clinical trial, participants with symptomatic PAD were recruited from sites in Australia and randomly allocated 1:1 to the counseling intervention or an attention control.

Health-related quality of life amongst people diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral artery disease and the effect of fenofibrate.

The aims of this study were, firstly, to assess the effect of concurrent peripheral artery disease (PAD) on the health-related quality of life (QOL) of people diagnosed with a small abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA); and secondly, to test whether the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α agonist fenofibrate improved QOL of people diagnosed with a small AAA, including those diagnosed with concurrent PAD. The study included both a cross-sectional observational study and a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. 140 people diagnosed with a 35-49 mm diameter AAA, 56 (40%) of whom had concurrent PAD, and 25 healthy controls were prospectively recruited.

A Randomised Controlled Trial Assessing the Effects of Peri-operative Fenofibrate Administration on Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Pathology: Outcomes From the FAME Trial.

Objective: Experimental studies suggest that fenofibrate prevents abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development by lowering aortic osteopontin (OPN) concentration and reducing the number of macrophages infiltrating the aortic wall. The current study examined the effects of a short course of fenofibrate on AAA pathology in people with large AAAs awaiting aortic repair.

Methods: This randomised double blind parallel trial included male and female participants aged ≥ 60 years who had an asymptomatic AAA measuring ≥ 50 mm and were scheduled to undergo open AAA repair.

Relationship Between Disease Specific Quality of Life Measures, Physical Performance, and Activity in People with Intermittent Claudication Caused by Peripheral Artery Disease.

Objective: The aims of this study were firstly to assess the correlation between disease specific measures of quality of life (QOL) and physical performance and activity, and secondly to identify demographic, clinical, functional, and physical activity measures independently associated with QOL in people with intermittent claudication.

Methods: This was a cross sectional observational study of 198 people with intermittent claudication caused by peripheral artery disease who were recruited prospectively. QOL was assessed with the intermittent claudication questionnaire (ICQ) and the eight-theme peripheral artery disease quality of life questionnaire.

Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial Assessing the Effect of 24-Week Fenofibrate Therapy on Circulating Markers of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Outcomes From the FAME -2 Trial.

Background There is no drug therapy for abdominal aortic aneurysm ( AAA ). FAME-2 (Fenofibrate in the Management of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 2) was a placebo-controlled randomized trial designed to assess whether administration of 145 mg of fenofibrate/d for 24 weeks favorably modified circulating markers of AAA. Methods and Results Patients with AAA s measuring 35 to 49 mm and no contraindication were randomized to fenofibrate or identical placebo.

Inositol in the MAnaGemENt of abdominal aortic aneurysm (IMAGEN): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a focal dilation of the abdominal aorta and is associated with a risk of fatal rupture. Experimental studies suggest that myo-inositol may exert beneficial effects on AAAs through favourable changes to biological pathways implicated in AAA pathology. The aim of the Inositol in the MAnaGemENt of abdominal aortic aneurysm (IMAGEN) trial is to assess if myo-inositol will reduce AAA growth.

Fenofibrate in the management of AbdoMinal aortic anEurysm (FAME): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a slowly progressive destructive process of the main abdominal artery. Experimental studies indicate that fibrates exert beneficial effects on AAAs by mechanisms involving both serum lipid modification and favourable changes to the AAA wall.

Methods/design: Fenofibrate in the management of AbdoMinal aortic anEurysm (FAME) is a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of orally administered therapy with fenofibrate on key pathological markers of AAA in patients undergoing open AAA repair.

Efficacy of brief behavioral counselling by allied health professionals to promote physical activity in people with peripheral arterial disease (BIPP): study protocol for a multi-center randomized controlled trial.

Background: Physical activity is recommended for people with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and can improve walking capacity and quality of life; and reduce pain, requirement for surgery and cardiovascular events. This trial will assess the efficacy of a brief behavioral counselling intervention delivered by allied health professionals to improve physical activity in people with PAD.

Methods: This is a multi-center randomised controlled trial in four cities across Australia.

Important observations made managing carotid body tumors during a 25-year experience.

Objectives: Our objective was to assess the short- and long-term outcome for patients after carotid body tumor (CBT) resection and discuss the potential pitfalls of the treatment.

Methods: An analysis was undertaken of all patients who underwent CBT resection at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and Greenslopes Private Hospital between 1982 and 2007. Primary tumor characteristics, surgical technique, and outcomes were recorded and analyzed.

Open surgery for atherosclerotic chronic mesenteric ischemia.

Background: This study was undertaken to document the results of our current practice of open mesenteric revascularization to enable comparison with the recent trend of percutaneous endovascular therapy for the treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia.

Methods: Patients were identified via operation code data as well ongoing audit data from 1992 until 2006. Only patients with a history of chronic mesenteric ischemia secondary to atherosclerosis for 3 months or longer were included in the study.