The impact of heterozygosity for the factor V Leiden and factor II G20210A mutations on the risk of thrombosis in Greek patients.

Aim: There is growing evidence that a number of genetic risk factors predispose independently to venous thrombosis and the coexistence of defective genes is involved in the manifestation and recurrence of thrombotic events. The goal of this study was to examine the efficiency of the selection criteria for performing a genetic test for the factor V G1691A (Leiden) and factor II G20210A mutations.

Methods: Blood samples were drawn from 119 patients referred to us by their physicians.

Open subintimal angioplasty of the superficial femoral and distal arteries.

Purpose: To describe an open approach to subintimal angioplasty.

Technique: Through a subinguinal incision and arteriotomy over the superficial femoral artery origin, the opening of a subintimal channel is created surgically. The subintimal plane is advanced distally with a guidewire, and this neolumen is expanded with sequential balloon dilations.

Diagnostic investigation using vital capillary microscopy and dynamic capillaroscopy.

The procedure for studying skin capillaries using vital capillary microscopy is described. Capillary changes take place in patients with reduced arterial circulation, and these are examined in the lower and upper (nailfold) extremity. Dynamic capillaroscopy is a technique for measuring capillary blood cell velocity.

Nailfold capillary abnormalities in Behçet's disease.

Objective: To determine the degree and the frequency of the nailfold capillary abnormalities and to correlate these with clinicolaboratory variables of Behçets disease.

Methods: A stereomicroscope was applied to study the nutritional skin capillaries of the nailfolds. Stages 0, A, B and C (Fagrell's classification) were distinguished.

[Noninvasive assessment of the system of peripheral arteries using the method of ultrasonic pan-arteriography].

The authors developed a method for studying the whole arterial system, except for the coronary arteries, by means of ultrasonic techniques. It was based on the conception of the generalized nature of atherosclerosis presuming the existence of some specific types of the process which may be classified into 5 categories (according to DeBakey) depending on the main focus of distribution of the disease. The method was named pan-arterial ultrasonography.