A review of disparities in peripheral artery disease and diabetes-related amputations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected health care delivery. In addition to the significant morbidity and mortality associated with acute illness from COVID-19, the indirect impact has been far-reaching, including substantial disruptions in chronic disease care. As a result of pandemic disruptions in health care, vulnerable and minority populations have faced health inequalities.

Lysophosphatidic acid causes endothelial dysfunction in porcine coronary arteries and human coronary artery endothelial cells.

Aim: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) on endothelial functions and molecular alternations in both porcine coronary arteries and human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs).

Methods And Results: The vessel rings and HCAECs were treated with clinically relevant concentrations of LPA for different times. Vasomotor reactivity was studied with a myograph tension system.

Catheter-directed thrombectomy and thrombolysis for symptomatic lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis: review of current interventional treatment strategies.

Deep vein thromboses (DVT) along with its clinical sequelae represent a major health care challenge in our society. An acute massive DVT can result in pulmonary embolism resulting in sudden death. Although oral or systemic anticoagulation therapy may minimize thrombus propagation, it remains ineffective in removing thrombus burden and consequently does not prevent postthrombotic syndrome.

Nerve and conduction tissue injury caused by contact with BioGlue.

Background: BioGlue-a surgical adhesive composed of bovine albumin and glutaraldehyde-is commonly used in cardiovascular operations. The objectives of this study were to determine whether BioGlue injures nerves and cardiac conduction tissues, and whether a water-soluble gel barrier protects against such injury.

Materials And Methods: In 18 pigs, diaphragmatic excursion during direct phrenic nerve stimulation was measured at baseline and at 3 and 30 min after nerve exposure to albumin (n = 3), glutaraldehyde (n = 3), BioGlue (n = 6), or water-soluble gel followed by BioGlue (n = 6).

Transcutaneous near-infrared spectroscopy for detection of regional spinal ischemia during intercostal artery ligation: preliminary experimental results.

Objective: Real-time information about regional spinal cord ischemia can guide intraoperative management and reduce the risk of paraplegia after thoracic aortic surgery. We hypothesized that near-infrared spectroscopy could provide such information during intercostal and lumbar artery ligation in pigs.

Methods: Transcutaneous near-infrared spectroscopic sensors were placed in the midline over the upper and lower thoracic vertebrae of 4 progressively larger pigs (weight range 21-70 kg).

Effect of age on peripheral vascular response to transverse aortic banding in mice.

The placement of a ligature to constrict the transverse aorta has become a standard procedure to induce cardiac hypertrophy in mice. Apart from cardiac response, there are adaptive changes in the proximal and distal arterial system that function to maintain adequate peripheral perfusion. The purpose of this study was to characterize the peripheral vascular response by measuring the carotid blood flow using noninvasive Doppler methods, and to investigate the effect of aging on the adequacy and timing of the response after aortic banding in mice.

Measurement of aortic input impedance in mice: effects of age on aortic stiffness.

Mice are used with increasing frequency as models of human cardiovascular diseases, but significant gaps exist in our knowledge of vascular function in the aging mouse. We determined aortic input impedance spectra, pulse wave velocity, and augmentation index in adult (8-mo-old) and old (29-mo-old) mice to determine whether arterial stiffening occurred with age in mice as it does in humans. Pressure and blood velocity signals measured simultaneously from the same location in the ascending aorta were used to determine input impedance spectra (0-10 harmonics).