Risk Factors for Puncture Site Complications After Endovascular Procedures in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Objective: To compare femoral access site closure techniques and to highlight risk factors for puncture site complications after lower extremity endovascular procedures.

Methods: This retrospective study included 787 patients. Procedures were performed according to a standardized protocol.

Graz Critical Limb Ischemia Score: A Risk Score for Critical Limb Ischemia in Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease.

Critical limb ischemia (CLI), a frequently encountered disorder, is associated with a high rate of limb amputation and mortality. To identify patients at high risk for CLI, we developed a simple risk score for peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD).In our cross-sectional study, we first evaluated 1000 consecutive PAOD patients treated at our institution from 2005 to 2007, documenting clinical symptoms, comorbidities, and concomitant medication.

Association of the Derived Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio With Critical Limb Ischemia.

Neutrophil and leukocyte counts are laboratory parameters that reflect the systemic inflammatory response in patients with atherosclerotic diseases. Based on the means of these parameters, the derived neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) can be calculated. We investigated a possible association of critical limb ischemia (CLI) and the dNLR in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Changes in lipid metabolism and extension of venous thromboembolism.

Background/aims: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are common diseases with a vast number of acquired and congenital risk factors. Disorders of the lipid metabolism are not established risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) so far. However, in recent literature, associations between VTE and the metabolic syndrome, especially with elevated lipid parameters, have been described.

Exoseal for puncture site closure after antegrade procedures in peripheral arterial disease patients.

Purpose: Exoseal is a vascular clo-sure device consisting of a plug applier and a bio-absorbent polyglycolic acid plug available in sizes 5 F, 6 F, and 7 F. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the Exoseal vascular closure device (Cordis Corporation, Bridgewater, New Jersey, USA) for puncture site closure after antegrade endovascular procedures in peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) patients.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 168 consecutive patients who underwent an interventional procedure due to PAOD, were included.

The value of FDG-PET in the diagnosis of thromboangiitis obliterans--a case series.

Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) is an inflammatory vascular disease affecting dominantly the vessels of the extremities and is etiologically strongly associated with tobacco consumption. Different imaging techniques are generally used to exclude potential differential diagnoses. We investigated the value of (18) F-flourodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([(18) F]FDG-PET) in the diagnosis of TAO.

Endothelial function and carotid intima-media thickness in giant-cell arteritis.

Background: Vascular endothelial dysfunction and intima-media thickness are characteristic aspects of several vasculitides. We investigated retrospectively the impact of steroid treatment on endothelial dysfunction and intima-media thickness in giant-cell arteritis.

Methods: Forty-one patients with giant-cell arteritis (28 female and 13 male) underwent flow-mediated dilatation, a marker of endothelial function, and carotid intima-media thickness within 24 h after diagnosis and 6 months thereafter.

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio: a novel marker for critical limb ischemia in peripheral arterial occlusive disease patients.

Background: Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) is an easily applicable blood test. An elevated PLR has been associated with poor prognosis in patients with different oncologic disorder. As platelets play a key role in atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis, we investigated PLR and its association with critical limb ischemia (CLI) and other vascular endpoints in peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) patients.

Foreign body pulmonary embolism.

We report a case of a foreign body embolism caused by a tip of an explanted port-a-cath system. The embolus could be removed with a gooseneck snare catheter, the patient fully recovered.

Primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome-one further aspect of thrombophilia in overweight and obese patients with venous thromboembolism.

Objective: Overweight and obesity are established risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE). We examined the difference in the frequency of primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (PAPS) in VTE patients according to their BMI.

Design And Methods: We included 998 VTE patients treated at our institution between 2009 and 2011 in a retrospective data analysis.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and its association with critical limb ischemia in PAOD patients.

Background: The Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an easy to perform test from the white blood cell count. An increase in NLR has been associated with vascular endpoints reflecting inflammation in atherosclerotic lesions. Atherosclerosis is a global threat and vascular endpoints, like myocardial infarction or critical limb ischemia (CLI), are a leading cause of death in industrialized countries.

A case of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis due to Kikuchi Fujimoto disease.

Kikuchi Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare form of lymphadeopathy with systemic symptoms. We present a case of a 31-year-old female farmer who was admitted to the emergency ward because of swelling of the left arm. Upper extremity venous thrombosis due to local compression of lymph nodes was diagnosed.

The fate of fat.

Adipose tissue is not merely a storage depot for fat. Both brown and white adipose tissues are finely regulated endocrine organs that modulate energy balance and temperature homeostasis. In a recent issue of Gerontology, Saely and Drexel dissected the different morphology and the prime functions of brown and white adipose tissue.