Survey of gynecologists' and interventional radiologists' opinions of uterine fibroid embolization.

Purpose: To evaluate the opinions of gynecologists and interventional radiologists regarding uterine fibroid embolization (UFE).

Methods: We mailed surveys to all gynecologists and interventional radiologists practising in Toronto, Ontario. Study criteria excluded those physicians who did not assess or treat patients with uterine fibroids.

Effects of heat/citric acid reprocessing on high-flux polysulfone dialyzers.

The surface features, morphology, and tensile properties of fibers obtained from pristine, reprocessed, and reused Fresenius Polysulfone High-Flux (Hemoflow F80A) hemodialyzers have been studied. Scanning electron microscopy of the dialyzer fibers revealed a dense skin layer on the inner surface of the membrane and a relatively thick porous layer on the outer surface. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy showed an alteration in membrane morphology due to reprocessing and reuse, or to a deposition of blood-borne material on the membrane that is not removed with reprocessing.