Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Reduced by Tocilizumab and Associated With Infarct Size.

Background: Interleukin-6-receptor inhibition with tocilizumab improves myocardial salvage in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Reduced levels of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which consist of nuclear material studded with proteins released upon neutrophil activation, might contribute to this effect.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of tocilizumab on NETs and investigate the association between NETs and myocardial injury in patients with STEMI.

Cytokine pattern in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with the interleukin-6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab.

Background: Tocilizumab improves myocardial salvage index (MSI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but its mechanisms of action are unclear. Here, we explored how cytokines were affected by tocilizumab and their correlations with neutrophils, C-reactive protein (CRP), troponin T, MSI and infarct size.

Methods: STEMI patients were randomised to receive a single dose of 280 mg tocilizumab (n=101) or placebo (n=98) before percutaneous coronary intervention.

[Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for portal hypertension].

Background: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is a treatment for complications of portal hypertension, such as bleeding gastroesophageal varices and refractory ascites. In this article we reveal our experiences with this treatment modality.

Material And Method: All patients who had a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt inserted in the period 2011 - 2021 at Oslo University Hospital Ullevål were studied retrospectively.

Indirect CT venography of the lower extremities: impact of scan delay and patient factors on contrast enhancement and examination quality.

Objectives: Indirect computed tomography venography (CTV) is often the next imaging modality for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when sonography is inconclusive. Our aim was to investigate the impact of scan delay and patient factors on contrast enhancement (CE) and examination quality in CTV.

Methods: Patients with clinical suspicion or clinical mimics of DVT in one large hospital were enrolled.

Interleukin-6 inhibition in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Immune cell profile in the randomised ASSAIL-MI trial.

Background: We recently showed that interleukin (IL)-6 inhibition by tocilizumab improves myocardial salvage in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the mechanisms for this effect are not clear.

Methods: In this exploratory sub-study of the ASSAIL-MI trial, we examined leukocyte differential counts and their relation to myocardial salvage and peak troponin T (TnT) in STEMI patients randomised to tocilizumab (n = 101) or placebo (n = 98).

Center experience and other determinants of patient radiation exposure during prostatic artery embolization: a retrospective study in three Scandinavian centers.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of center experience and a variety of patient- and procedure-related factors on patient radiation exposure during prostatic artery embolization (PAE) in three Scandinavian centers with different PAE protocols and levels of experience. Understanding factors that influence radiation exposure is crucial in effective patient selection and procedural planning.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively for 352 consecutive PAE procedures from January 2015 to June 2020 at the three centers.

Randomized Trial of Interleukin-6 Receptor Inhibition in Patients With Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Prompt myocardial revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces infarct size and improves outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, as much as 50% of the loss of viable myocardium may be attributed to the reperfusion injury and the associated inflammatory response.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the effect of the interleukin-6 receptor inhibitor tocilizumab on myocardial salvage in acute STEMI.

Prophylactic placement of inferior vena cava filters and the risk of death or venous thromboembolism in severe trauma patients: a retrospective study comparing two hospitals with different approaches.

Background: Prophylactic use of inferior vena cava filters to prevent pulmonary embolism in trauma is controversial. The practice varies between hospitals and countries, in part due to conflicting evidence and guidelines.

Purpose: To compare the effects of pulmonary embolism, deep venous thrombosis and mortality in two hospitals using prophylactic inferior vena cava filter placement or prophylactic anticoagulation alone.

Does prophylactic inferior vena cava filter reduce the hazard of pulmonary embolism and mortality in severe trauma? A single center retrospective comparative study.

Objectives: Use of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters in patients following severe trauma without recent history of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is controversial. Our objective was to determine if IVC filter placement in the setting of severe trauma effects the hazard of in-hospital pulmonary embolism (PE), deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and mortality.

Methods: This retrospective study recruited patients from a single Level I Trauma Center between 1/2008 and 12/2013.

Effects of long-term statin-treatment on coronary atherosclerosis in patients with inflammatory joint diseases.

Background: The effect of statins over time on coronary atherosclerosis in patients with inflammatory joint diseases (IJD) is unknown. Our aim was to evaluate the change in coronary plaque morphology and volume in long-term statin-treated patients with IJD.

Methods: Sixty-eight patients with IJD and carotid artery plaque(s) underwent coronary computed tomography angiography before and after a mean of 4.

Rationale for the ASSAIL-MI-trial: a randomised controlled trial designed to assess the effect of tocilizumab on myocardial salvage in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Introduction: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) may be involved in ischaemia-reperfusion injury and myocardial remodelling after myocardial infarction (MI). We have recently shown that IL-6 inhibition by tocilizumab attenuates systemic inflammation and troponin T-release in patients with acute non-ST elevation MI (NSTEMI). Experimental studies suggest that IL-6 inhibition can limit infarct size through anti-inflammatory mechanisms, but this has not been tested in clinical studies.

Coronary plaque characteristics and epicardial fat tissue in long term survivors of type 1 diabetes identified by coronary computed tomography angiography.

Objectives: The aim was to assess coronary atherosclerosis, plaque morphology and associations to cardiovascular risk factors and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in patients with long duration of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Materials And Methods: Eighty-eight patients with ≥ 45 year T1DM duration and 60 controls underwent coronary CT angiography (CCTA) for evaluation of coronary artery plaque volume (total, calcified or mixed/soft), coronary artery calcification score (CAC) and EAT.

Results: Plaques were detected in 75 (85%) T1DM patients and 28 (47%) controls, p < 0.

[Renal fibromuscular dysplasia and hypertension].

Fibromuscular dysplasia affects the muscles of small and medium-sized arteries. The aetiology of the condition is unknown; it is most frequently seen in middle-aged women, but can affect both sexes at any age. Hypertension is the most common clinical manifestation when the renal arteries are affected.

Infrainguinal inflow assessment and endovenous stent placement in iliofemoral post-thrombotic obstructions.

Purpose: To assess the technical success, patency, and clinical outcome, following assessment of inflow and infrainguinal endovenous stent placement in patients with iliofemoral post-thrombotic obstruction with infrainguinal involvement.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 39 patients with iliofemoral post-thrombotic venous obstruction accepted for infrainguinal stent placement in the period November 2009-December 2016. The clinical status was categorized according to the Clinical Etiological Anatomical Pathophysiological (CEAP) classification and symptom severity was assessed using Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS).

Access site complications after transfemoral aortic valve implantation - a comparison of Manta and ProGlide.

Background: Despite decreasing sheath diameter, access site bleeding and vascular complications are still a major concern in transfemoral aortic valve implantation (TAVI), and may increase morbidity and even increase mortality. The aim was to compare safety of arterial closure in transfemoral TAVI with two different principles, pre-suture with ProGlide and collagen plug closure with Manta.

Results: Seventy-six patients treated with ProGlide and 75 with Manta were analysed.

Venous thromboembolism in the critically ill: A prospective observational study of occurrence, risk factors and outcome.

Background: The aim of the study was to explore occurrence, risk factors and outcome of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Methods: Prospective observational study of ICU patients receiving thromboprophylaxis at Oslo University Hospital in Norway. Adult medical and surgical patients with ICU length of stay (LOS) longer than 48 hours were included.

MR findings of microvascular perfusion in infarcted and remote myocardium early after successful primary PCI.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate CMR myocardial first-pass perfusion in the injured region as well as the non-infarcted area in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients few days after successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Materials And Methods: 220 patients with first time STEMI successfully treated with PCI (with or without postconditioning) were recruited from the Postconditioning in STEMI study. Contrast enhanced CMR was performed at a 1.

Microvascular perfusion in infarcted and remote myocardium after successful primary PCI: angiographic and CMR findings.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between TIMI myocardial perfusion (TMP) grading acute and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) first-pass perfusion early and at 4 months in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Material And Methods: One hundred ninety-eight STEMI patients were recruited from the POSTEMI study. TMP grade was assessed after PCI; CMR was performed at day 2 and after 4 months.

Associations between coronary and carotid artery atherosclerosis in patients with inflammatory joint diseases.

Objective: Low association between cardiac symptoms and coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with inflammatory joint diseases (IJD) demands for objective markers to improve cardiovascular risk stratification. Our main aim was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of CAD in patients with IJD with carotid artery plaques. Furthermore, we aimed to assess associations of carotid ultrasonographic findings and coronary plaques.

Validation of the Vascular quality of life questionnaire - 6 for clinical use in patients with lower limb peripheral arterial disease.

Background: The VascuQoL-6 (VQ-6) health-related quality of life questionnaire, a short version of the disease-specific VascuQoL-25, was developed for clinical practice and use in vascular registries. The study purpose was to evaluate the validity and reliability of VQ-6.

Methods: VQ-6 was translated to Norwegian with linguistic validation and face value evaluation, and consecutive patients with intermittent claudication (IC) or critical limb ischemia (CLI) were included.

Additional functional outcomes after endovascular treatment for intermittent claudication.

Background Endovascular treatment (EVT) for intermittent claudication (IC) is performed in selected patients where conservative treatment and training fail. Treatment outcomes reported in vascular registries (survival, limb-survival, and re-intervention rate) are inadequate for low-risk patients with IC. Additional measurements of blood flow reduction and functional impairment clarify the indication for treatment and facilitate outcome evaluation.

Drug-Eluting or Bare-Metal Stents for Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Limited data are available on the long-term effects of contemporary drug-eluting stents versus contemporary bare-metal stents on rates of death, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, and stent thrombosis and on quality of life.

Methods: We randomly assigned 9013 patients who had stable or unstable coronary artery disease to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with the implantation of either contemporary drug-eluting stents or bare-metal stents. In the group receiving drug-eluting stents, 96% of the patients received either everolimus- or zotarolimus-eluting stents.

Reduced need for extraperitoneal pelvic packing for severe pelvic fractures is associated with improved resuscitation strategies.

Background: Extraperitoneal pelvic packing (EPP) was introduced at Oslo University Hospital Ulleval (OUHU) in 1994. Published studies from other institutions have advocated its application as a first-line therapy in lieu of angiography. Extraperitoneal pelvic packing is invasive with a high risk of complications, and its role remains an issue of discussion.