Berberine suppresses in vitro migration of human aortic smooth muscle cells through the inhibitions of MMP-2/9, u-PA, AP-1, and NF-κB.

Berberine, a type of isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Chinese medicinal herbs, has been reported to have various pharmacological activities. Studies have demonstrated that berberine has beneficial effects on vascular remodeling and alleviates restenosis after vascular injury. However, its mechanism of action on vascular smooth muscle cell migration is not fully understood.

[Investigation of endovascular aneurysm repair of complex abdominal aortic aneurysm in high-risk patients].

Objective: To evaluate the results of a variety of alternative endovascular techniques applied to patients with complicated abdominal aortic aneurysm complex abdominal aortic aneurysm (cAAA) and unsuitable for open surgery.

Methods: From January 2001 to December 2010, charts of all patients having an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) were reviewed. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) was done in 138 patients, in which 9 patients were defined as cAAA such as juxta-renal AAA, short or angulated AAA neck, AAA with bilateral iliac artery aneurysms.

[Surgical treatment for popliteal artery occlusive disease].

Objective: To investigate surgical procedures for popliteal artery occlusive disease.

Methods: The clinical data of 25 patients with popliteal artery occlusive disease from June 2007 to June 2008 was analyzed retrospectively. There were 18 male and 7 female with an average age of (53 ± 21) years.

Revascularization for iliac-femoral artery pseudoaneurysm with greater saphenous vein.

Objective: To investigate the role of revascularization procedures with autologous greater saphenous vein in surgical management of iliac-femoral artery pseudoaneurysm in parenteral drug abusers.

Methods: Twenty-one patients with iliac-femoral artery pseudoaneurysm caused by parenteral drug abuse from 2004 to 2007 were enrolled. Among them, 15 patients were male and 6 were female; their average age was 31.

[Endovascular revascularization for lower extremity atherosclerosis obliterans in elderly patients:a report of 86 cases].

Objective: To analyze the outcome and risk factors of endovascular revascularization of lower limb artery for elder patients.

Methods: From January 2006 to November 2008, 86 elder patients (98 ischemia limbs) underwent endovascular revascularization due to lower limb ischemia. Age of this group were 60 to 82 years old with a mean of (70 +/- 6) years old.

[Carotid endarterectomy versus carotid stenting: a prospective randomized trial].

Objective: To evaluate the early and midterm outcomes of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) compared with carotid stenting (CAS) in patients with carotid artery stenosis.

Methods: A prospective randomized single-center clinical trail to compare with endarterectomy and stenting in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis of at least 50% and asymptomatic stenosis of at least 70%. From May 2004 to December 2006, there were 40 patients who agreed with the treatment were randomly assigned to undergo either CEA or CAS.

[Safety and efficiency of non-permanent inferior vena cava filters in preventing pulmonary embolism].

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of non-permanent filter in preventing pulmonary embolism (PE) caused by deep venous thromboembolism (DVT).

Methods: The clinical data of 12 patients who were implanted with non-permanent filter for documented deep venous thromboembolism in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from September 2003 to June 2006 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: Among these 12 patients, 10 were implanted with temporary filters, and 2 with retrievable filters.

Iatrogenic Subclavian Steal Syndrome.

New complications are resulting from percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stent deployment. A 43-year-old female, admitted with weakness in the right arm, was diagnosed with right subclavian stenosis. Following PTA and a Palmaz stent deployment, her condition worsened, and symptoms spread.