Operative strategies in aortic graft infections: is complete graft excision always necessary?

The classic approach to aortic graft infections involves complete excision of the graft material with remote reconstruction of the distal circulation. Certain patients may not be well suited for this approach for physiologic or anatomic reasons. This study was undertaken to determine the outcome of partial graft excision in selected patients with aortic graft infection who were not felt to be candidates for complete graft excision.

A prospective randomized evaluation of negative-pressure wound dressings for diabetic foot wounds.

Optimal treatment for large diabetic foot wounds is ill defined. The purpose of this study was to compare the rate of wound healing with the Vacuum Assisted Closure device trade mark (VAC) to conventional moist dressings in the treatment of large diabetic foot wounds. Diabetics with significant soft tissue defects of the foot were considered for enrollment.

cGMP is decreased after acute ischemia in chronically ischemic canine limbs.

Background: A chronic partially ischemic state may alter the skeletal muscle response to acute ischemia and free radical formation.

Methods: In order to investigate this hypothesis, a chronic ischemic state was established by ligating the right femoral artery of four mongrel dogs. ABIs were decreased from 1.

Ascorbic acid prevents cigarette smoke injury to endothelium-dependent arterial relaxation.

Background: Arterial endothelium-dependent acetylcholine relaxation is impaired by smoking, and this injury may be mediated by oxygen free radicals. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of ascorbic acid (AA) treatment on this injury.

Materials And Methods: New Zealand White rabbits (n = 6, each group) were placed in a 240-ft3 airflow chamber for 3 h per day, 5 days per week over an 8-week period.