Oxidative stress and endothelin-1 in atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and effects of renal angioplasty.

Aims: To examine biomarkers of oxidative stress (oxs), and endothelin (ET)-1, in hypertensive patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) and to evaluate the effect of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA).

Methods: Baseline measurements were made immediately before renal angiography in patients with suspected ARAS (significant ARAS, n = 83, and non-RAS, n = 59) and in 20 healthy, matched controls. In patients with ARAS, analyses were repeated 4 weeks after PTRA.

Predictors of long-term beneficial effects on blood pressure after percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty in atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.

Aim: This retrospective study evaluated long-term effects of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) in atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS), and predictors of benefit on blood pressure (BP).

Methods: During 1997-2003, 234 patients (age 69+/-11 years, 138 [59%] males) underwent PTRA for ARAS at Malmö Vascular Centre. Cure was defined as diastolic (D)BP<90 mmHg and systolic (S)BP <140 mmHg off antihypertensive medication.

Lipid-lowering therapy is related to inflammatory markers and 3-year mortality in patients with critical limb ischemia.

To evaluate relationships between lipid-lowering therapy, inflammation, and 3-year mortality in critical limb ischemia (CLI), 259 consecutive CLI patients underwent evaluation of medication, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 (IL-6), neopterin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha), and endothelin-1. Mortality was assessed after 3 years. Sixty-one patients (24%) were on lipid-lowering therapy and 59 patients (97%) on statins.

Activated protein C-protein C inhibitor complex in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms: is it associated with diameter and growth rate?

Increased thrombin activation was documented in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Activated protein C-protein C inhibitor (APC-PCI) complex, a new biological marker of thrombin generation, was measured in a population of 232 patients with AAA and a control group, and the association between aneurysm size, growth rate, and APC-PCI was studied. The patients were divided into cohorts according to AAA diameter and compared with a control group.

Renal angioplasty causes a rapid transient increase in inflammatory biomarkers, but reduced levels of interleukin-6 and endothelin-1 1 month after intervention.

Objective: To examine prospectively whether inflammatory biomarkers and endothelin (ET)-1 are increased in patients with renal artery stenosis (RAS), and to investigate how treatment with percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) affects these variables during the first month after intervention.

Methods: One hundred patients with suspected RAS undergoing renal angiography were included. PTRA was performed if the trans-stenotic mean arterial pressure gradient was>or=10 mmHg.

Does supervised exercise after deep venous thrombosis improve recanalization of occluded vein segments? A randomized study.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate weather early supervised exercise improves recanalization of acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and reduces symptoms.

Patients And Methods: From September 2001 to March 2004, of 381 patients, 72 eligible patients were included and with a mean age 54 +/- 14 years, 39 (52%) men with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) proven with phlebography were randomized to: an exercise group (n = 36) receiving routine anticoagulation, class II compression stockings and additionally supervised exercise and a control group (n = 36) receiving the same therapy but no exercise. Patients were followed-up during six months.

Are there differences of inflammatory bio-markers between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia?

Aim: This observational study was undertaken in order to analyse whether any differences could be detected between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) concerning the inflammatory response.

Methods: A total number of 259 consecutive patients with CLI were treated between October 2001 and January 2003.

Results: Among the 259 patients, 135 (52%) had diabetes, previously known in 123, and detected during hospitalization in 12.

Cardiac function, inflammatory mediators and mortality in critical limb ischemia.

Patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) have a high frequency of concomitant coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure. The aim of the study was to evaluate cardiac function in relation to inflammatory markers and 1-year mortality rate among patients with CLI. The authors investigated 232 consecutive patients with CLI by means of electrocardiogram (ECG), and measurements of endothelin (ET)-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF)alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, neopterin, CD40 ligand, and 8-epi-prostaglandin (PG)F2alpha in plasma.

Activated protein C-protein C inhibitor complex: a new biological marker for aortic aneurysms.

Objective: The concentration of the complex between activated protein C (APC) and protein C inhibitor (PCI) is a measure of thrombin generation. We studied whether it can provide information useful for the diagnosis and treatment of arterial vascular disease.

Methods: Blood was obtained from 429 vascular patients admitted consecutively during September 2004 to March 2005.

Inflammatory mediators are associated with 1-year mortality in critical limb ischemia.

Objective: The atherosclerotic process has inflammatory features. Patients with peripheral atherosclerosis and critical limb ischemia have a poor prognosis. This study evaluated the hypothesis that inflammatory markers are associated with mortality among patients admitted to the hospital because of critical limb ischemia.

Revascularisation of renal artery stenosis caused by fibromuscular dysplasia: effects on blood pressure during 7-year follow-up are influenced by duration of hypertension and branch artery stenosis.

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) mainly affects renal arteries. Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) and surgery are effective treatments, but long-time follow-up is lacking. Retrospective follow-up for 7.

Suboptimal treatment of risk factor for atherosclerosis in critical limb ischemia.

Aim: The epidemiology of critical limb ischemia (CLI) is insufficiently studied, and treatment of risk factors for atherosclerosis has received less attention in CLI patients than in patients with coronary or precerebral atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to establish the incidence of CLI and the quality of risk factor treatment in Swedish CLI patients.

Methods: During 14 months, 316 consecutive CLI patients were referred to the Malmo Department of Vascular Diseases.

Sustained beneficial effects on blood pressure during long time retrospective follow-up after endovascular treatment of renal artery occlusion.

We retrospectively evaluated short- and long-term effects of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) with or without stent placement of renal artery occlusion (RAO) upon blood pressure (BP), serum (s)-creatinine, and the need for antihypertensive treatment in 34 RAO patients who underwent PTRA during 1996-2002. In 24/34 (71%) treatment was considered technically successful, 22/24 (92%) were treated with PTRA + stent, two with only PTRA. Patients were followed for mean 2.

Mutations within the cyclooxygenase-1 gene in aspirin non-responders with recurrence of stroke.

Introduction: Aspirin is a common antiplatelet drug used in the prevention of ischemic stroke due to its inhibitory effect on platelet cyclooxygenase-1 (Cox-1). Patients can be categorized as either aspirin 'responders' or 'non-responders' depending on whether they are protected against a secondary stroke event or not. In this study, we have searched for variants of the Cox-1 gene that could possibly result in an unblocked and thus, aspirin-resistant Cox-1 enzyme and phenotype.

Increased sensitivity to ADP-aggregation in aspirin treated patients with recurrent ischemic stroke?

Aim: Antiplatelet therapy in order to reduce the platelet aggregability is widely used to prevent recurrent stroke events. Data from several studies indicates that the inter-individual variation concerning the ability of standard doses of aspirin to inhibit platelet aggregation is substantial. The rationale of the present study was to test whether platelet aggregation in whole blood was enhanced in subjects that had suffered an ischemic stroke event under aspirin treatment.

[Vena cava filters in complicated venous thromboembolism. Ten years' experiences at Malmo University Hospital].

All 74 patients treated with vena cava filter insertion during 1991-2000 at Malmö University Hospital were reviewed. Thirty-nine patients (53%) died during follow-up. Indications for permanent filter insertion (n = 63, age 25-89 years, 35 men) were contraindication for or side effects of anticoagulant treatment, or pulmonary embolism during anticoagulant treatment.

Effects of estrogen replacement therapy on abdominal fat compartments as related to glucose and lipid metabolism in early postmenopausal women.

The effects of estrogen replacement therapy on lipid and glucose metabolism as related to abdominal fat distribution were investigated in fifty-one healthy postmenopausal women aged 52-53 years. They were randomized to treatment with either estradiol 2 mg or placebo daily for three months in a double-blind design. Forty-six women continued with estradiol for another nine months in an open design with the addition of medroxyprogesterone for ten days every three months.

Decreasing plasma endothelin-1 and unchanged plasma neopterin during folate supplementation in hyperhomocysteinemia.

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for atherosclerosis and venous thrombosis, probably exerting its effects through endothelial function. Homocysteine levels are lowered by folate supplementation, and such treatment improves endothelial function. However, whether folate supplementation decreases vascular risk and improves survival is unknown.

Platelet and leukocyte activation during aortoiliac angiography and angioplasty.

Objective: to evaluate platelet and leukocyte activation during aortoiliac angiography and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA).

Methods: an observational study of 14 patients with aortoiliac atherosclerotic disease, nine of whom underwent PTA. The proportion of fibrinogen-, and P-selectin positive platelets, P-selectin expression on platelets, intraplatelet cGMP and cAMP, CD18 positive granulocytes, CD18 expression on granulocytes, plasma (p)-neopterin, p-TNF alpha and p- interleukin-6 were repeatedly measured in arterial blood during angiography and in venous blood before and after.

Insulin sensitivity with respect to glucose metabolism in hypertension-prone men did not predict the blood pressure increase in 5 years.

Objectives: To evaluate peripheral insulin stimulated glucose uptake as a predictor for increase in blood pressure in hypertension-prone men.

Design: A follow-up study 5 years after a primary investigation that included an euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp to evaluate insulin sensitivity.

Subjects: Thirty-two men with a family history of hypertension (relatives) and 22 men with no hypertension in the family (controls).

Hormone replacement therapy in healthy postmenopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled study of effects on coagulation and fibrinolytic factors.

Objectives: To evaluate effects of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on von Willebrand factor, factor (F)VIII, factor (F)VII, fibrinogen, antithrombin (AT) III, prothrombin fragments 1 and 2, protein C, total and free protein S, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and resistance to activated protein C.

Design: Part 1: double blind randomized trial for 3 months. Part 2: open study for 9 months.

Relationship between abdominal fat compartments and glucose and lipid metabolism in early postmenopausal women.

The relationships between abdominal and pelvic fat compartments and glucose and lipid metabolism were investigated in early postmenopausal women. Fifty-five healthy, postmenopausal women aged 52-53 yr participated in the study. Fat distribution (intra-abdominal and sc abdominal fat, and intrapelvic and sc pelvic fat) was estimated by computed tomography.

Increased plasma endothelin-1 and intraplatelet cyclic guanosine monophosphate in men with disturbed glucose metabolism.

Plasma endothelin-1, the nitric oxide (NO) mediator intraplatelet cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), the prostacyclin mediator cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and the macrophage derived inflammatory mediator plasma neopterin were measured in men with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=91), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; n=51), previously abnormal glucose tolerance (PAGT; n=20), and 34 healthy control men. Plasma endothelin-1was higher in men with Type 2 diabetes mellitus than in controls [4.1 (1.