Expression of Egfl7 and miRNA-126-5p in Symptomatic Carotid Artery Disease.

Background: Neoangiogenesis inside the atherosclerotic plaques has been linked to progression of the disease. Egfl7, a key player in adult angiogenesis, was found to be upregulated in response to vascular injury in rats. Egfl7 encodes for miR-126-3p and miR-126-5p.

Combined treatment with endovenous laser ablation and compression therapy of incompetent perforating veins for treatment of recalcitrant venous ulcers.

Objective Patients with healed venous ulcers often experience recurrence of ulceration, despite the use of long-term compression therapy. This study examines the effect of closing incompetent perforating veins (IPVs) on ulcer recurrence rates in patients with progressive lipodermatosclerosis and impending ulceration. Methods Patients with nonhealing venous ulcers of >2 months' duration underwent duplex ultrasound to assess their lower extremity venous system for incompetence of superficial, perforating, and deep veins.

Efficacy of intralesional recombinant human epidermal growth factor in chronic diabetic foot ulcers.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the clinical effects of intralesional administration of an epidermal growth factor (EGF) up to complete wound closure.

Methods: Seventeen diabetic patients with full-thickness lower extremity ulcers of more than 4 weeks of evolution were enrolled in the study. Mean ulcer size was 15.

Treatment of complex atherosclerotic femoropopliteal artery disease with a self-expanding interwoven nitinol stent: Midterm results.

Objective: To examine the efficacy and durability of an interwoven self-expanding nitinol stent for the treatment of superficial femoral and popliteal arteries.

Method: Consecutive patients with severely diseased superficial femoral and popliteal arteries who received SUPERA® stents were retrospectively identified.The patients were followed for 12 months by Doppler ultrasound examinations, stent roentgenograms, and estimation of Rutherford-Becker class and ankle-brachial index.

Coronary artery perforation treated with multiple bare metal stent implantation.

Although coronary artery perforations are quite rare, when they occur, the consequences are devastating. Treatment options differ according to the type, location and severity of the perforation. As a general rule severe perforations are treated with covered stents.

Morphine is a reasonable alternative to haloperidol in the treatment of postoperative hyperactive-type delirium after cardiac surgery.

Objectives: Patients who undergo cardiac surgery have an increased risk of delirium. Currently, there are few choices of treatment for postoperative hyperactive delirium in cardiac surgical patients. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of morphine compared with a haloperidol-based regimen in hyperactive-type delirium in patients after cardiac surgery.

Effect of body mass index on early morbidity and mortality after isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Objectives: Obesity is a risk factor for morbidity after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. This study aimed to analyze the sole effect of body mass index (BMI) on early morbidity and mortality in patients after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

Design: This study was retrospective and used an electronic database of anesthesia information management.

Cardiac tamponade from a giant thymoma: case report.

Thymoma, the most common neoplasm of the anterior mediastinum especially in adults, accounts for 20-25% of all mediastinal tumors and 50% of anterior mediastinal masses. These tumors are routinely asymptomatic for prolonged periods of time. Pericardial tamponade is a very rare initial manifestation of a thymoma.

Aortic root aneurysm after off-pump reduction aortoplasty.

We present a patient with aortic root aneurysm and severe aortic regurgitation who had a previous off-pump reduction ascending aortoplasty and external wrapping with concomitant coronary bypass grafting. Preliminary aortic dissection and erosion of the aortic intima were detected during the operation. This complication warrants the re-evaluation of the indications for reduction ascending aortoplasty and emphasizes the necessity for close follow-up.