Fear of falling in claudicants and its relationship to physical ability, balance, and quality of life.

Objectives: Intermittent claudication is associated with poor physical function, quality of life (QoL), and balance impairment. Fear of falling (FoF) is a recognized contributing factor to poor physical ability. Any link between claudication and FoF is yet to be determined.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty results in improved physical function but not balance in patients with intermittent claudication.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify whether revascularization by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for patients with intermittent claudication improved measures of functional performance including balance.

Methods: A prospective observational study was performed at a single tertiary vascular center. Patients with symptomatic intermittent claudication (Rutherford grades 1-3) were recruited to the study.

Balance impairment, physical ability, and its link with disease severity in patients with intermittent claudication.

Background: To determine whether increasing claudication severity is associated with impaired balance and physical functional ability.

Methods: A prospective observational study in claudicants was performed. Disease severity was determined according to Rutherford's criteria.

The effect of a 3-month supervised exercise programme on gait parameters of patients with peripheral arterial disease and intermittent claudication.

Background: The management of peripheral arterial disease with intermittent claudication includes angioplasty, pharmaceutical therapy, risk factor modification and exercise therapy. Supervised exercise programmes are used sporadically but may improve the distance that an individual with claudication can walk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 3-month supervised exercise programme on improving gait parameters in patients with intermittent claudication.

Patients' perspective of functional outcome after elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: a questionnaire survey.

Background: To evaluate patients' awareness, functional outcome, and satisfaction after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.

Methods: A study-specific questionnaire was developed with collaboration of a multidisciplinary team. Lists of patients who underwent elective open AAA repair and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) between January 2006 and December 2008 were obtained from the departmental database and cross-checked against hospital database for survival status.

A randomized placebo controlled trial of the effect of preoperative statin use on matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases in areas of low and peak wall stress in patients undergoing elective open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Background: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was carried out to study the effects of statins on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in areas of peak and low abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) wall stress.

Methods: A total of 40 patients undergoing elective open AAA repair were randomized to receive either atorvastatin 80 mg (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) for 4 weeks preoperatively. Finite element analysis was used to determine AAA wall stress distribution.

Computerized dynamic posturography in the objective assessment of balance in patients with intermittent claudication.

One-third of all elderly patients fall each year and impaired balance has been recognized as a specific risk factor. Intermittent claudication is common among the elderly population, affecting approximately 5% of the population over the age of 50. The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to assess the prevalence of impaired balance among elderly claudicants and to assess each patient's insight into their own risk of falling.

Hull early walking aid for rehabilitation of transtibial amputees--randomized controlled trial (HEART).

Purpose: To compare articulated and nonarticulated early walking aids (EWAs) for clinical and quality-of-life outcomes in transtibial amputees.

Methods: Patients undergoing lower limb amputation in a tertiary-care vascular surgical unit were screened over a 4-year period. Recruited patients were randomized to receive articulated amputee mobility aid (AMA) or nonarticulated pneumatic postamputation mobility aid (PPAMA) during early rehabilitation.

Kinematic adaptations to ischemic pain in claudicants during continuous walking.

Intermittent claudication has been associated with impaired gait and balance. The study aim was to compare gait adaptations over time between claudicants classified with good versus poor balance. Kinematic data were collected from 24 claudicants during continuous walking.

An analysis of relationship between quality of life indices and clinical improvement following intervention in patients with intermittent claudication due to femoropopliteal disease.

Objectives: To establish the relationship between quality of life (QOL) index scores and clinical indicators of lower limb ischemia.

Methods: One hundred seventy-eight patients (108 men, median age 70 years) with femoropopliteal lesions suitable for angioplasty were recruited. Assessments were performed prior to and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following intervention (angioplasty and/or supervised exercise program).

Management of high-flow priapism in paediatric patients: a case report and review of the literature.

Priapism is rare in the paediatric population and hence there is little consensus as to appropriate management strategies. This is a report of a case of high-flow priapism in a 9-year-old boy managed expectantly. A review of the literature found 52 previously published cases.