Imbalance between nitric oxide generation and oxidative stress in patients with peripheral arterial disease: effect of an antioxidant treatment.

Background: Nitric oxide (NO), a potent vasodilator produced by endothelial cells, is reduced in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), but the mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Because NO is rapidly inactivated by superoxide anion, we speculated that enhanced oxidative stress could lower NO generation. The aim of our study was to investigate if an imbalance between oxidative stress and NO does exist in patients with PAD and if an increase of NO formation could be achieved by an antioxidant treatment.

Endovascular management of acute carotid artery dissection with a waxing and waning neurological deficit.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of emergent carotid stenting for an acute internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection.

Case Report: A 51-year-old man was admitted to our emergency department's stroke unit 1 hour after the onset of left hemiparesis. Computed tomographic and transcranial Doppler scans showed no pathological findings, but the color Doppler study detected a double lumen in the right carotid bifurcation extending to the proximal ICA.