Assessment of carotid plaque composition in hypertensive patients by ultrasonic tissue characterization: a validation study.

Objective: Ultrasonic tissue characterization of epi-aortic vessels may be useful to define the composition of atherosclerotic plaques. Videodensitometry provides a histogram representing the frequency distribution of gray levels corresponding to different compositions of the carotid wall. However, lack of standardization limits the clinical application of this technique.

Chromosomal alterations in atherosclerotic plaques.

Alterations of chromosomes 7 and 11 have been involved in the progression of atherosclerosis. Twenty-three carotid endarterectomy specimens were studied for the presence of alterations in chromosomes 7 and 11, and fibroblastic growth factor-3 (FGF-3) gene amplification. Besides classic histological stainings, immunophenotyping of cellular and vascular components and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were performed.

[Type "A" aortic dissection. Surgical technique, caseload, and follow-up].

Background: The authors analyse the indications for the various surgical strategies through a retrospective study of the morbility and mortality rates in their own series of cases and during follow-up.

Methods: 107 patients were operated for type A aortic dissection between 1978 and 1998: 69 using a technique performed under moderate hypothermia (Group A) and 38 in deep hypothermia (Group B). All patients who survived from 1978 to 1994 underwent an accurate follow-up.

[Vascular pathology. A study of some blood parameters indicative of leukocyte activation and platelet dysfunction].

Background: In vascular pathology the endothelial lesions easily reflect on blood cells, inducing a reactive state. In the present study the eventual presence of activation signals in leukocytes and platelets was tested.

Methods: Fifty-eight subjects with major vascular pathology and 14 with lower limbs venous insufficiency were studied, together with a control group of 25 normal subjects.

[Infection prophylaxis in cardiovascular surgery].

Materials And Methods: In the period 1986-1994, 2950 patients with cardiovascular diseases were surgically treated. In 2104 cases we placed biological or synthetic grafts to maintain vascular continuity. The most common has turned out to be abdominal aortic aneurysm.