Does repeat duplex ultrasound for lower extremity deep vein thrombosis influence patient management?

The clinical significance of lower extremity deep vein thrombus (DVT) propagation in the setting of anticoagulation therapy remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to compare results of thrombus outcome found with repeat duplex ultrasonography to the incidence of pulmonary embolism and mortality. During a recent 18-month period, 457 patients were diagnosed with lower extremity DVT with duplex ultrasonography and their data were retrospectively analyzed.

Ruptured versus elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: outcome and cost.

During a recent 30-month period, we repaired 10 ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (RAAA) at our institution. To evaluate the survival, postoperative morbidity, and financial impact of treating RAAA, we compared these patients with 10 randomly selected patients undergoing elective AAA (EAAA). Both groups were comparable for age, gender, and incidence of diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and renal failure.

The value and limitations of magnetic resonance angiography of the circle of Willis in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.

Magnetic resonance angiography is a useful technique to determine the patency of the circle of Willis when compared with conventional four-vessel angiography. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the integrity of the circle of Willis, assessed by magnetic resonance angiography, provides adequate collateral cerebral circulation during carotid endarterectomy and correlates with internal carotid artery back pressure. Over a recent 20-month period, 35 patients were studied preoperatively with magnetic resonance angiography of the carotid bifurcations of the circle of Willis and the vertebrobasilar system.

Carotid screening with duplex ultrasound in elderly asymptomatic patients referred to a vascular surgeon: is it worthwhile?

The purpose of this study is to prospectively determine the outcome of carotid duplex ultrasound screening in patients referred to a vascular surgeon for problems other than carotid disease. During a recent 12-month period, 307 patients age 65 years and older (mean 76 +/- 8 years) were referred to one vascular surgeon for problems other than cerebrovascular disease. Fifty-one percent of the patients were male, 49% were female, 32% were diabetic, 32% were hypertensive, 31% smoked, 20% had coronary artery disease, and 64% had peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

The effect of tumor necrosis factor binding protein and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist on the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms in a rat model.

Purpose: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 1 (IL-1), and matrix metalloproteases have been noted to be elevated in human abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) as compared with normal and occlusive aortic disease. Because TNF and IL-1 have been shown to cause release of proteases that weaken the aortic matrix, it has been suggested that these cytokines may play a central role in the aortic dilatation process. To substantiate this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of TNF and IL-1 antagonists, tumor necrosis factor binding protein (TNF-BP) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), on the development of AAAs in a well-described rat model.