The importance of a standing position in the diagnosis of Nutcracker phenomenon by duplex sonography.

Aim: To determine the clinical usefulness of Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of the Nutcracker phenomenon, as an alternative to computed tomographic scans (CT).

Methods: This study consisted of 52 patients that presented with intermittent hematuria of unknown origin between January 2006 to April 2008. Doppler ultrasonography was used to assess the left renal vein (LRV) by measuring the anteroposterior (AP) diameter and peak systolic velocity (PSV) in supine and standing positions, at the hilar and interaortomesenteric portions of the LRV.

Long-term use of different doses of low-molecular-weight heparin versus vitamin K antagonists in the treatment of venous thromboembolism.

Background: We evaluated whether the incidence of recurrent venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) during and after therapy differs for patients treated with full or reduced doses of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) used long term compared with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs).

Methods: We identified randomized studies of long-term treatment with LMWH or VKA by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, and PASCAL. Seventeen studies were included, with 4,002 patients.

[Deep venous thrombosis as a marker of tumor recurrence].

Background And Objective: There is a bidirectional association between neoplasia and venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, whether this association has an impact in tumor recurrence is unknown. The aim of the study is to assess the incidence of cancer recurrence after diagnosis of VTE and determine if VTE could be a marker for cancer recurrence.

Early mobilisation in patients with acute deep vein thrombosis does not increase the risk of a symptomatic pulmonary embolism.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to determine if early mobilisation in patients with acute lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) increases the incidence of symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) and to evaluate the predisposing factors for PE such as location of the thrombus and duration of symptoms.

Methods: The current study was a prospective randomised clinical trial. Between January 2005 and December 2007, 219 patients with acute lower limb DVT were enrolled in the study (118 males and 101 females); the mean age was 64.

Non-cardiac arterial disease in Catalonia: patient profiles and quality of clinical records by characteristics of the Vascular Surgery Unit.

Aim: Non-cardiac arterial disease (NCAD) is a frequent cause of hospital admission. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in patient profiles and clinical records as a function of the size of the Vascular Surgery Unit (VSU).

Methods: Retrospective observational study.