Percutaneous photoacoustic debulking of infra-inguinal atherosclerotic disease- early European experience with a novel, solid-state, pulsed -wave, ultraviolet 355 nm laser.

The broad spectrum of clinical manifestations caused by peripheral arterial disease [PAD] and the morphologic heterogeneity of associated atherosclerotic lesions present a considerable management challenge. Endovascular interventions are recognized an effective treatment for PAD. Within this revascularization strategy the role of atherectomy debulking modalities continue to evolve.

Application of a Novel UPLC-MS/MS Method for Analysis of Rivaroxaban Concentrations in Dried Blood Spot and Plasma Samples Collected from Patients with Venous Thrombosis.

Despite a higher safety profile compared to vitamin K antagonists, rivaroxaban therapy is still connected with multiple adverse effects, such as a high risk of bleeding. Thus, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of rivaroxaban concentrations is suggested. An alternative to plasma samples can be dried blood spots (DBS), which minimize the cost of sample storage and transport.

The influence of P2Y gene polymorphisms on clopidogrel therapy in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention.

We aimed to define the influence of P2Y12 polymorphisms (rs6801273, rs2046934, and rs6809699), diabetes, hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, statins intake, and smoking habit on clopidogrel therapy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. We used PCR-RFLP and PCR-ASO for P2Y genotype analysis. The effectiveness of the therapy was measured with the VerifyNow method and defined in platelet reactivity units.

Selected Psychosocial Factors, Nutritional Behavior, and the Analysis of Concentrations of Selected Vitamins in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide, influenced by the interaction of factors, including age, sex, genetic conditions, overweight/obesity, hypertension, an abnormal lipid profile, vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, and psychological factors. This study aimed to assess the relationships between psychosocial and nutritional factors in a group of 61 patients with CVD (i.e.

Outcomes of Covered Endovascular Reconstruction of the Aortic Bifurcation (CERAB) Procedure for the Treatment of Extensive Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease Using the BeGraft Balloon-Expandable Covered Stent: A Multicenter Observational Study.

Purpose: The covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation (CERAB) technique offers an alternative for Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) C/D lesions involving the aortic bifurcation. The study aims to evaluate the outcomes of the CERAB technique for extensive aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) using the BeGraft balloon-expandable covered stent (BECS).

Materials And Methods: This is a physician-initiated, multicenter, retrospective, observational study.

The influence of non-thrombotic iliac vein stenosis on clinical course and recurrence of primary varicose veins.

Introduction: To investigate the influence of iliac vein stenosis on clinical course and recurrence of primary varicose veins after surgeryMaterials and methods: Thirty-three patients with primary varicose veins qualified for great saphenous vein stripping were analysed. The stenosis of common (CIV) and external (EIV) iliac vein was measured by IVUS and defined in three categories as minimal lumen area <90 mm2 for CIV and <75 mm2 for EIV, minimal lumen diameter <10 mm for CIV and <7.5 mm for EIV and area reduction >50%.

The Expression and Prognostic Significance of VEGF and CXCR4 in Gastric Cancer: Correlation with Angiogenesis, Lymphangiogenesis and Progression.

The cellular response to hypoxia includes the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and its target genes: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and prognostic significance of VEGF and CXCR4, which are responsible for angiogenesis and progression in gastric cancer. Twenty-eight gastric cancer patients were analyzed.

Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphism and Vitamin D Status in Population of Patients with Cardiovascular Disease-A Preliminary Study.

The association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphism and the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remains unclear. This study aimed to assess a relationship between the genotypes, plasma concentrations of vitamin D metabolites, and the occurrence of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Fifty-eight patients treated for various cardiological afflictions were included.

Molecular Mechanisms Associated with ROS-Dependent Angiogenesis in Lower Extremity Artery Disease.

Currently, atherosclerosis, which affects the vascular bed of all vital organs and tissues, is considered as a leading cause of death. Most commonly, atherosclerosis involves coronary and peripheral arteries, which results in acute (e.g.

Measurement of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in population of patients with cardiovascular disease by UPLC-MS/MS method.

Vitamin D has a potential role in protecting against cardiovascular disease (CVD). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D) is the most widely used indicator of vitamin D status in the human body. 25D is estimated as total of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 (25D2) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25D3).

Midterm Results of the Treatment of Penetrating Abdominal Aortic or Iliac Artery Ulcer with the BeGraft Balloon-Expandable Covered Stent-A Single-Center Experience.

Background: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the novel BeGraft covered stent for the treatment of abdominal penetrating aortic ulcer (PAU) or penetrating ulcers of the iliac arteries (PUIAs).

Methods: This was a single-center observational study, which included 24 consecutive patients who underwent endovascular surgery due to abdominal PAU or PUIA between June 2017 and September 2019. Demographics of patients, lesion characteristics, diameter and length of the BeGraft stents, and postoperative events were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed.

The Proliferation and Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Neovascularization and Angiogenesis.

Neovascularization and angiogenesis are vital processes in the repair of damaged tissue, creating new blood vessel networks and increasing oxygen and nutrient supply for regeneration. The importance of Adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (ASCs) contained in the adipose tissue surrounding blood vessel networks to these processes remains unknown and the exact mechanisms responsible for directing adipogenic cell fate remain to be discovered. As adipose tissue contains a heterogenous population of partially differentiated cells of adipocyte lineage; tissue repair, angiogenesis and neovascularization may be closely linked to the function of ASCs in a complex relationship.

The intravascular ultrasound morphometry of iliac veins in subjects without severe chronic venous insufficiency and its implications for treatment indications and stent size selection.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the intravascular ultrasound morphometry of iliac veins and its relation to demographic and anthropometric factors in subjects without chronic venous insufficiency.

Methods: Thirty-three patients, without chronic venous insufficiency - qualified to great saphenous vein stripping due to unilateral, primary varicose veins - participated in the study. During the surgery, left and right external iliac veins, common iliac veins and inferior vena cava were interrogated with intravascular ultrasound.

Alterations in Exercise-Induced Plasma Adenosine Triphosphate Concentration in Highly Trained Athletes in a One-Year Training Cycle.

This study aimed to assess the effect of training loads on plasma adenosine triphosphate responsiveness in highly trained athletes in a 1 y cycle. Highly trained futsal players (11 men, age range 20-31 y), endurance athletes (11 men, age range 18-31 y), sprinters (11 men, age range 21-30 y), and control group (11 men, age range 22-34 y) were examined across four characteristic training phases in response to an incremental treadmill test until exhaustion. A considerably higher exercise and post-exercise plasma adenosine triphosphate concentrations were observed in consecutive training phases in highly trained athletes, with the highest values reached after the competitive period.

Development of an LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of ticagrelor and its active metabolite during concomitant treatment with atorvastatin.

A combination of antiplatelet drugs with high-intensity statin therapy is a standard in patients with coronary events. Concomitant treatment with ticagrelor, a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor, and CYP3A4-metabolized statins such as atorvastatin, might lead to an increased risk of muscle-related adverse events. Therefore, investigation of concentrations of these compounds in clinical samples is necessary.

Plasma Nucleotide Dynamics during Exercise and Recovery in Highly Trained Athletes and Recreationally Active Individuals.

Circulating plasma ATP is able to regulate local skeletal muscle blood flow and 0 delivery causing considerable vasodilatation during exercise. We hypothesized that sport specialization and specific long-term training stimuli have an impact on venous plasma [ATP] and other nucleotides concentration. Four athletic groups consisting of sprinters (n=11; age range 21-30 yr), endurance-trained athletes (n=16; age range 18-31 yr), futsal players (n=14; age range 18-30 yr), and recreationally active individuals (n=12; age range 22-33 yr) were studied.

Analysis of retinol, α-tocopherol, 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in plasma of patients with cardiovascular disease by HPLC-MS/MS method.

Fat-soluble vitamins play a pivotal role in the progression of atherosclerosis and the development of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, plasma monitoring of their concentrations may be useful in the diagnosis of these disorders as well as in the process of treatment. The study aimed to develop and validate an HPLC-MS/MS method for determination of retinol, α-tocopherol, 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in plasma of patients with cardiovascular disease.

Influence of genetic co-factors on the population pharmacokinetic model for clopidogrel and its active thiol metabolite.

Purpose: A high interindividual variability is observed in the pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel, a widely used antiplatelet drug. In the present study, a joint parent-metabolite population pharmacokinetic model was developed to adequately describe observed concentrations of clopidogrel and its active thiol metabolite (H4).

Methods: The study included 63 patients undergoing elective coronarography or percutaneous coronary intervention.

Atherectomy using a solid-state laser at 355 nm wavelength.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), caused by atherosclerotic processes, is allied with an increased risk of ischemic events, limb loss, and death. Recently, the use of a solid-state laser at 355 nm within a hybrid catheter was suggested for that purpose. In this work, short nanosecond pulses of a solid-state laser at 355 nm delivered through a hybrid catheter, composed of optical fibers and a blunt mechanical blade, are used to conduct a pre-clinical study and two clinical cases.

Prevalence of Non-thrombotic Iliac Vein Lesions in Patients with Unilateral Primary Varicose Veins.

Objectives: A role of non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions (NIVLs) in the development of primary varicose veins (PVVs) has not been studied. It seems that intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is the most accurate method to diagnose these lesions. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between the presence of NIVLs and PVVs and the frequency of NIVLs in asymptomatic and PVV limbs.

Clinical pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel and its metabolites in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Background And Objective: Approximately 5-40 % of patients treated with clopidogrel do not display an adequate antiplatelet response. Clopidogrel resistance may be caused by insufficient drug absorption or impaired metabolic activation of the drug. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel and its metabolites in plasma samples from patients treated with high and low doses of clopidogrel, to obtain a possible explanation for antiplatelet resistance.

Assessment of the level of difficulty of four techniques of endovenous thermal ablation of the great saphenous vein and the echogenicity of the tip of the working device in vivo.

Background: To compare the level of difficulty of four techniques of endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA) of the great saphenous vein and the echogenicity of the tip of the working device in vivo.

Methods: Sixty patients qualified to the EVTA of the great saphenous vein were randomly assigned to treatment with an 810-nm axial diode laser [endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) 810] with two different delivery systems: 4-F introducer, 0.018" guidewire, 22-G needle (EVLA810-1) and 4-F introducer, 0.

Monitoring of systemic inflammatory response in diabetic patients with deep foot infection treated with negative pressure wound therapy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to establish the safety of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in the treatment of acutely debrided, deep diabetic foot infections (DDFI) and to determine the value of inflammatory markers in monitoring of treatment of these infections with negative pressure wound therapy.

Methods: A group of ten patients with DDFI treated by radical surgical debridement and simultaneous NPWT was prospectively studied. During the debridement, a deep tissue sample was obtained and sent for microbiological testing.