Unsaturated Fatty Acids Improve Atherosclerosis Markers in Obese and Overweight Non-diabetic Elderly Patients.

Background: Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of replacing trans and saturated fats with unsaturated fatty acids on cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to demonstrate the effect of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat supplementation on the biochemical and endothelial markers of atherosclerotic disease in obese or overweight non-diabetic elderly patients.

Method: Seventy-nine patients were randomly divided into three groups: flaxseed oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil; patients in each group received 30 mL of oil for 90 days.

High prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in Brazilian postmenopausal women with low and intermediate risk by Framingham score.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality among women in several countries. Early detection of subclinical atherosclerosis (SA) could enable the adoption of preventive measures to avoid cardiovascular events. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of SA in Brazilian asymptomatic postmenopausal women in Framingham Risk Score (FRS) low and intermediate groups.

Criteria for detecting significant chronic iliac venous obstructions with duplex ultrasound.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the sonographic criteria for diagnosis of iliac venous outflow obstruction by assessing the correlation of this method with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in patients with advanced chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

Methods: The evaluation included 15 patients (30 limbs; age, 49.4 ± 10.

Improvement of atherosclerotic markers in non-diabetic patients after bariatric surgery.

Background: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of bariatric surgery performed in extremely obese non-diabetic subjects on the following parameters: endothelial function, inflammatory processes (assessed by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]), carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT), and glucose and lipid profiles.

Methods: Forty-seven obese individuals with body mass index >40 kg/m(2) underwent bariatric surgery and returned for post-procedure assessment between 6 and 19 months after surgery. Ninety-three percent of patients were female.

Color-flow duplex hemodynamic assessment of runoff in ischemic lower limb revascularization.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the existence of hemodynamic arterial flow correlation between preoperative duplex scanning (DS) and intraoperative direct outflow resistance (IDOR) measurements in ischemic lower limb revascularization. Sixty-eight ischemic lower limbs were submitted to preoperative DS. Anatomic and hemodynamic arterial characteristics of the outflow system were recorded, and the results were considered in the distal anastomosis placement site decision making.

Comparative study of the use of diltiazem as an antispasmodic drug in coronary angiography via the transradial approach.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the use, prior to the procedure, of injectable diltiazem to prevent complications.

Methods: Between September 2000 and July 2001, 50 patients underwent transradial coronary angiography and were randomized to receive placebo (GI) or diltiazem (GII) through a catheter inserted into the radial artery. All patients received isosorbide mononitrate.