Expression of Envelope Protein Encoded by Endogenous Retrovirus K102 in Rheumatoid Arthritis Neutrophils.

Many patients suffering from autoimmune diseases have autoantibodies against proteins encoded by genomic retroelements, suggesting that normal epigenetic silencing is insufficient to prevent the production of the encoded proteins for which immune tolerance appears to be limited. One such protein is the transmembrane envelope (Env) protein encoded by human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K). We reported recently that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have IgG autoantibodies that recognize Env.

Evaluating a Novel, Portable, Self-Administrable Device ("Beacon") That Measures Critical Flicker Frequency as a Test for Hepatic Encephalopathy.

Introduction: We compared critical flicker frequency (CFF) thresholds obtained using a novel portable device "Beacon" with thresholds from the commercially available Lafayette Flicker Fusion System (Lafayette-FFS) in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: One hundred fifty-three participants with chronic liver disease underwent CFF testing using Beacon and Lafayette-FFS with a method-of-limits and/or forced-choice protocol.

Results: Beacon demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation 0.

Chronic urticaria and common variable immunodeficiency (CVID): an association to remember.

The patient is a 64-year-old Caucasian woman with idiopathic chronic urticaria who presented to her primary care physician's office with mucoid otitis media. Medical history was significant for hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, allergic rhinitis, pre-diabetes, gastro-oesophageal reflux, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, diverticulosis with prior diverticulitis and history of recurrent infections. Her chronic urticaria was initially treated with antibiotics, antihistamines and oral steroids, but later she developed refractory urticaria requiring dapsone with modest improvement.

Appropriate Use of Venous Imaging and Analysis of the D-Dimer/Clinical Probability Testing Paradigm in the Diagnosis and Location of Deep Venous Thrombosis.

Background: The D-dimer (DD) level combined with the pretest Wells criteria probability (WCP) score can safely exclude deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between DD results alongside WCP score with findings on venous duplex ultrasound (VDU). The hypothesis is that VDU remains overutilized in low-risk patients with negative DD and that higher DD levels may correlate with thrombus burden and location.

Telehealth electronic monitoring to reduce postdischarge complications and surgical site infections after arterial revascularization with groin incision.

It is intuitive that postdischarge surgical complications are associated with increased patient dissatisfaction, and are directly associated with an increase in medical expenditures. It is also easy to make the connection that many post-hospital discharge surgical complications, including surgical site infections (SSIs), could be influenced or exacerbated by patient comorbidities. The authors of a recent study reported that female gender, obesity, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, coronary artery disease, critical limb ischemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dyspnea, and neurologic disease were significant predictors of SSIs after vascular reconstruction was performed.

Trends and Outcomes in the Operative Management of Traumatic Vascular Injuries: A Comparison of Open Endovascular Approaches.

Controversy exists in vascular trauma regarding the best method of treatment-open versus endovascular techniques. Little has been published on this complex topic. Patients from 2005 to 2013 at a Level I trauma center with vascular injuries were identified via a prospectively trauma registry.

Validation of subclavian duplex velocity criteria to grade severity of subclavian artery stenosis.

Background: Validation of subclavian duplex ultrasound velocity criteria (SDUS VC) to grade the severity of subclavian artery stenosis has not been established or systematically studied. Currently, there is a paucity of published literature and lack of practitioner consensus for how subclavian duplex velocity findings should be interpreted in patients with subclavian artery stenosis.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to validate SDUS measurements using subclavian conventional or computed tomography angiogram (subclavian angiogram [SA])-derived measurements.

Management of Immediate Post-Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair Type Ia Endoleaks and Late Outcomes.

Background: Post-endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) endoleaks and the need for reintervention are challenging. Additional endovascular treatment is advised for type Ia endoleaks detected on post-EVAR completion angiogram. This study analyzed management and late outcomes of these endoleaks.

Validation of venous duplex ultrasound imaging in determining iliac vein stenosis after standard treatment of active chronic venous ulcers.

Objective: Chronic venous ulcer (CVU) is a potentially debilitating condition that remains the most common etiology for leg ulcers. The condition has significant associated costs and effect on patient quality of life. That truncal reflux can be worsened by iliac vein occlusive disease is well known.

Iliac Vein Interrogation Augments Venous Ulcer Healing in Patients Who Have Failed Standard Compression Therapy along with Pathological Venous Closure.

Background: Treatment of venous ulcers is demanding for patients, as well as clinicians, and the investigation of underlying venous hypertension is the cornerstone of therapy. We propose that occult iliac vein stenosis should be ruled out by iliac vein interrogation (IVI) in patients with advanced venous stasis.

Methods: We conducted a systematic retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of patients who presented with CEAP (clinical, etiological, anatomical, and pathophysiological) 6 venous disease.

Novel Risk Score Model for Prediction of Survival Following Elective Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify significant predictors of long-term mortality after elective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Methods: We included all cases with elective EVAR based on a national data set from the Society for Vascular Surgery Patient Safety Organization. Clinical and anatomic variables were analyzed with a Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression model to determine predictors of mortality and develop a score equation to categorize patients into low, medium, and high long-term mortality risk.

Aortic Neck Anatomic Features and Predictors of Outcomes in Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Following vs Not Following Instructions for Use.

Background: A significant number of patients undergo endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (EVAR) outside the instructions for use (IFU). This study will examine various aortic neck features and their predictors of clinical outcomes.

Study Design: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on EVAR patients.

Compliance of postendovascular aortic aneurysm repair imaging surveillance.

Objective: Imaging surveillance after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is critical. In this study we analyzed compliance with imaging surveillance after EVAR and its effect on clinical outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of 565 EVAR patients (August 2001-November 2013), who were followed using duplex ultrasound and/or computed tomography angiography.

Inflammatory biomarkers in peripheral arterial disease.

Biochemical markers have the potential to aid the vascular specialist in many ways. On a daily basis, we rely on such markers as d-dimer to help exclude thromboembolic disease and thus limit low-probability ultrasound imaging. Additionally, we use troponin levels to determine myocardial events perioperatively.

Long-term Comparative Outcomes of Carotid Artery Stenting Following Previous Carotid Endarterectomy vs De Novo Lesions.

Purpose: To report the long-term outcomes of patients who underwent carotid artery stenting (CAS) for de novo carotid stenosis vs patients treated for restenosis after carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all 385 patients (mean age 68.6±9.

Current Treatment Strategies for Acute Type B Aortic Dissection.

Acute type B aortic dissection (ATBAD) is a medical emergency that is a common occurrence in patients with atherosclerotic disease. The presentation is usually severe, with tearing pain that radiates to the back, and various levels of end-organ ischemia and malperfusion, even rupture, may occur. Everyone agrees that prompt and aggressive blood pressure control with β-blockers and nitroprusside is imperative, but when to surgically intervene is still not well characterized.

Tips and tricks for retrieval of permanent TRAPEASE filters for inferior vena cava.

The placement of permanent inferior vena cava filters has definite indications and some filters have been shown to be more problematic in the long term than others. This report outlines the technique for TRAPEASE filter removal in two patients. The first filter was retrieved four weeks after insertion and the second filter was retrieved 14 months after it was inserted at another institution.

Appropriate use of D-dimer testing can minimize over-utilization of venous duplex ultrasound in a contemporary high-volume hospital.

Background: The sensitivity of d-dimer (DD) in detecting deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is remarkably high; however, many institutions send patients immediately for a venous duplex ultrasound (VDU). This study was designed to examine the appropriate utilization of DD and VDU in a high-volume hospital.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on consecutive patients who presented to a high-volume emergency department (ED) with lower extremity limb swelling/pain over a 30-day period, who were sent for VDU during an evaluation for DVT.

Renal imaging: duplex ultrasound, computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, and angiography.

Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is one of the most common causes of severe hypertension (approximately 1-5% of all patients with hypertension). Presently, there is no universally accepted screening test for RAS. However, most clinicians use renal duplex ultrasound (RDU) imaging; while others use magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or contrast computed tomography angiography in selected patients.

Factors that influence lymph node retrieval in the surgical treatment of colorectal cancer: a comparison of the laparoscopic versus open approach.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether surgical approach and patient demographics are important factors that influence lymph node retrieval.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients receiving surgical treatment for colorectal cancer at a single institution.

Results: Two hundred three patients underwent resection for colorectal cancer.

Syncytial giant cell hepatitis associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a case report.

Background: Syncytial giant cell hepatitis (GCH) is an uncommon and an underreported disease entity. In two previously reported cases of GCH in patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) liver failure ensued. Autoimmune and infective causes have been implicated but its etiology remains unclear.