Automated devices for identifying peripheral arterial disease in people with leg ulceration: an evidence synthesis and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Background: Peripheral artery disease is a common condition caused by narrowing/blockage of the arteries, resulting in reduced blood supply. Peripheral artery disease is associated with an increased risk of vascular complications, but early treatment reduces mortality and morbidity. Leg ulcers are long-lasting wounds, usually treated by compression therapy.

Low Intensity Shockwave Treatment Modulates Macrophage Functions Beneficial to Healing Chronic Wounds.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is used clinically in various disorders including chronic wounds for its pro-angiogenic, proliferative, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms driving therapeutic effects are not well characterized. Macrophages play a key role in all aspects of healing and their dysfunction results in failure to resolve chronic wounds.

The oral health status of patients with peripheral vascular disorders: A systematic review.

Objectives: Periodontal disease and tooth loss were found to be associated with several peripheral vascular disorders. Nonetheless, an evaluation of the literature on the broader domains of oral health in individuals with peripheral vascular disorders is lacking. This systematic review aims to collate the current evidence on the oral health status of individuals with peripheral vascular disorders.

Gallbladder necrosis and small bowel ischaemia following fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair for juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm: a case report.

Anatomical variation may result in unexpected complications after fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR). We report a 78-year-old gentleman who was admitted for elective FEVAR procedure for a juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. Three days post-operatively, he deteriorated clinically.

Five-Year Outcomes of a Randomized Trial of Treatments for Varicose Veins.

Background: Endovenous laser ablation and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy are recommended alternatives to surgery for the treatment of primary varicose veins, but their long-term comparative effectiveness remains uncertain.

Methods: In a randomized, controlled trial involving 798 participants with primary varicose veins at 11 centers in the United Kingdom, we compared the outcomes of laser ablation, foam sclerotherapy, and surgery. Primary outcomes at 5 years were disease-specific quality of life and generic quality of life, as well as cost-effectiveness based on models of expected costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained that used data on participants' treatment costs and scores on the EuroQol EQ-5D questionnaire.

Mid-term outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair in challenging aortic neck anatomy based on experience from the GREAT C3 registry.

Background: The European C3 module of the Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment (GREAT) evaluates the outcome and deployment mechanism of the C3 Gore Excluder stent-graft. We aimed to assess the mid- to long-term durability of the C3 Gore Excluder stent-graft in the management of challenging aortic neck morphology, outside the instruction of use (IFU).

Methods: The prospectively collected data from GREAT were retrospectively analyzed.

Thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR) versus open surgery for blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injury.

Background: Blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) is a life-threatening surgical emergency associated with mortality up to 8000 per year, most commonly caused by rapid acceleration/deceleration injury sustained through motor vehicle accident and/or blunt thoracic trauma. BTAI has high pre-hospital mortality following the primary injury, with only 10% to 15% of patients surviving long enough to reach the hospital. Open surgical repair had remained the standard treatment option for BTAI since successfully introduced in 1959.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the healing and management of venous leg ulcers.

Background: Leg ulcers are chronic wounds of the lower leg, caused by poor blood flow, that can take a long time to heal. The pooling of blood in the veins can damage the skin and surrounding tissues, causing an ulcer to form. Venous leg ulcers are associated with impaired quality of life, reduced mobility, pain, stress and loss of dignity.

Clinical Agreement between Nurses in the Ultrasound Measurement of Abdominal Aortic Diameter within a National Screening Programme.

Background: Accurate measurement is central to abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, but information concerning differences between observers using modern ultrasound devices is lacking. Our aim was to assess clinical agreement among nurses within a national screening programme.

Methods: Between-observer repeatability was assessed among 2 pairs of nurses (A & B and C & D) screening a consecutive series of men at a single-community clinic in Grampian, Scotland.

Thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR) versus open surgery for blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injury.

Background: Blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) is a life-threatening surgical emergency associated with mortality up to 8000 per year, most commonly caused by rapid acceleration/deceleration injury sustained through motor vehicle accident and/or blunt thoracic trauma. BTAI has high pre-hospital mortality following the primary injury, with only 10% to 15% of patients surviving long enough to reach the hospital. Open surgical repair had remained the standard treatment option for BTAI since successfully introduced in 1959.

Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of foam sclerotherapy, endovenous laser ablation and surgery for varicose veins: results from the Comparison of LAser, Surgery and foam Sclerotherapy (CLASS) randomised controlled trial.

Background: Foam sclerotherapy (foam) and endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) have emerged as alternative treatments to surgery for patients with varicose veins, but uncertainty exists regarding their effectiveness in the medium to longer term.

Objectives: To assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of foam, EVLA and surgery for the treatment of varicose veins.

Design: A parallel-group randomised controlled trial (RCT) without blinding, and economic modelling evaluation.

A randomized trial comparing treatments for varicose veins.

Background: Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy and endovenous laser ablation are widely used alternatives to surgery for the treatment of varicose veins, but their comparative effectiveness and safety remain uncertain.

Methods: In a randomized trial involving 798 participants with primary varicose veins at 11 centers in the United Kingdom, we compared the outcomes of foam, laser, and surgical treatments. Primary outcomes at 6 months were disease-specific quality of life and generic quality of life, as measured on several scales.

Pseudoaneurysm of the sural artery: a rare complication of lower limb angioplasty.

Introduction: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is a common therapeutic option for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. Pseudoaneurysm at the puncture site is a well-documented complication in patients.

Case Presentation: This case report describes a patient who presented to hospital several days following a left superficial femoral and popliteal artery PTA with lower limb pain and swelling.

Effect of Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on markers of platelet and endothelial function in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Objective: Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce platelet and endothelial activation in patients with or at risk of cardiac disease. We aimed to determine if Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in addition to best medical therapy can reduce the increased platelet and endothelial activity that is present in patients with intermittent claudication.

Methods: One hundred and fifty patients who were receiving aspirin and statin therapy were recruited into a randomised cross-over double blind study involving 6 week supplementation with OMACOR fish oil (850-882 mg eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid) versus placebo.

Does knee replacement surgery lead to chronic limb ischemia?

Total knee replacement (TKR) may be associated with chronic limb ischemia (CLI) due to arterial injury intraoperatively. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of CLI after TKR surgery. Patients who received a unilateral TKR in 2003-2004 were identified from our database.

Endovascular stents for intermittent claudication.

Background: Endovascular stents have been suggested as a means to improve the patency of arteries after angioplasty in patients with intermittent claudication. This is an update of a Cochrane review published in 2002.

Objectives: The null hypothesis to be tested by this review is that for individuals with claudication the use of an endovascular stent, in addition to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, does not improve symptoms of life-style limiting claudication when compared to percutaneous angioplasty alone.

Randomized controlled trial of aspirin and clopidogrel versus aspirin and placebo on markers of smooth muscle proliferation before and after peripheral angioplasty.

Objective: In peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients, a limiting factor in the success of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is the development of restenosis secondary to vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation. Following endothelial damage and platelet activation, there is release of factors and adhesion molecules which affect SMC proliferation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of combination antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel and aspirin compared with aspirin and placebo) on the ability of plasma from PAD patients undergoing PTA to stimulate SMCs in vitro.

N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide is an independent predictor of postoperative myocardial injury in patients undergoing major vascular surgery.

Objective: Myocardial ischemia and infarction after surgery remain leading causes of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing major vascular surgery. B-type natriuretic peptide has been shown to predict early postoperative cardiac events in patients undergoing major noncardiac surgery. We aimed to determine if N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), with its longer half-life and greater plasma stability, can predict postoperative myocardial injury in vascular patients.

Platelet activation increases with the severity of peripheral arterial disease: implications for clinical management.

Introduction: Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have increased mortality from cardiovascular events compared with age and sex matched controls Platelets play a major role in atherosclerosis and thrombotic vascular events. Platelet reactivity is increased in patients with PAD compared with healthy controls. We aimed to determine the relationship, if any, between platelet activation and severity of disease.

Clopidogrel has no effect on D-dimer and thrombin-antithrombin III levels in patients with peripheral arterial disease undergoing peripheral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Objective: Coagulation activation markers are significantly elevated in patients with peripheral arterial disease compared with healthy controls. The more severe the disease, the higher the markers. Increased coagulation activation may contribute to the disease process and the risk of complications in patients with peripheral arterial disease, particularly after endovascular intervention.