Performance of Hemochron ACT-LR and ACT+ Test Cuvettes in Monitoring Low to Moderate Heparin Concentrations: An In Vitro Study.

Objectives: According to the manufacturer, the Hemochron ACT-LR cuvette is designated for heparin concentrations of 0 to 2.5 IU/mL, while the optimal concentration range for the ACT+ cartridge is 1 to 6 IU/mL. We hypothesized that at low to moderate heparin concentrations, the ACT-LR is more reliable than the ACT+.

Sub-ulcer foam sclerotherapy in patients with venous ulceration: A randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: This trial analyzed the effect of sub-ulcer foam sclerotherapy in patients with venous leg ulcer (VLU).

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Methods: This trial recruited patients with VLUs to receive either sub-ulcer foam sclerotherapy and compression therapy (study group) or compression therapy only (control group).

Sub-ulcer Foam Sclerotherapy in Patients with Venous Leg Ulcer, Analysis and Technical Aspects of 134 Consecutive Patients.

Objective: For this retrospective study, we analyzed the sub-ulcer foam sclerotherapy technique in patients with venous leg ulcer (VLU).

Methods: This study included 134 patients treated with sub-ulcer foam sclerotherapy at the Oulu University Hospital vascular outpatient clinic from January 2012 to December 2021. All included patients received sub-ulcer foam sclerotherapy as part of the treatment strategy for superficial venous insufficiency.

A study protocol for comparing the treatment of varicose tributaries either concomitantly with or separately from endovenous laser ablation of the incompetent saphenous trunk (the FinnTrunk Study). A multicenter parallel-group randomized controlled study.

Background: Opinions on the treatment of varicose tributaries in relation to saphenous ablation in varicose disease vary. Moreover, the possible role of the tributaries regarding the recurrence of varicose disease remains unclear. The aim of the FinnTrunk study is to compare two different treatment strategies for varicose disease in a randomized setting.

Factors associated with delayed venous ulcer healing after endovenous intervention for superficial venous insufficiency.

Objective: This retrospective trial analyzed the effect of predetermined variables on venous ulcer healing after endovenous ablation of insufficient veins.

Methods: A total of 259 patients presenting 273 venous leg ulcers (VLUs) at Oulu University Hospital vascular outpatient clinic between January 2010 and December 2020 were included in the study. In addition to compression therapy, all patients received endovenous ablation (endothermal ablation and/or foam sclerotherapy) to promote venous healing.

Recovery and patient satisfaction following radiofrequency ablation and concomitant foam sclerotherapy of varicose veins with and without compression: A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial.

Background: The benefits of postoperative compression are not well established following radiofrequency ablation of the truncal vein and concomitant foam sclerotherapy.

Methods: A total of 104 patients were randomized: Postoperatively, 54 patients received no compression and 50 patients received class II thigh-high compression. The primary outcome for this study was the difference between means on postoperative pain scores over the first 10 days follow-up measured on a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 100 mm (prespecified delta 10 mm).

Ten years of experience with first-visit foam sclerotherapy to initiate venous ulcer healing.

Objective: We evaluated the effect of first-visit foam sclerotherapy compared with scheduled treatment for patients with venous ulceration.

Methods: The study design was a retrospective comparative study. From December 2009 to October 2019, a total of 245 venous ulcers in 214 patients (including recurrent ulcers) were treated at Oulu University Hospital.

Infrared Thermography Follow-Up After Lower Limb Revascularization.

Background: The purpose of this study was with a simple clinical setting to compare skin temperature changes in the feet before and after revascularization and to identify possible correlation between ankle brachial index (ABI) and toe pressure (TP) values and foot skin temperature patient with and without diabetes.

Methods: Forty outpatient clinic patients were measured ABI, TP, and the skin temperature using infrared thermography (IRT) at the foot before and after revascularization. Patients in the revascularization group were divided into subgroups depending on whether they had diabetes or not and a wound or not.

Post-procedural Compression vs. No Compression After Radiofrequency Ablation and Concomitant Foam Sclerotherapy of Varicose Veins: A Randomised Controlled Non-inferiority Trial.

Objective: To compare post-operative compression with no compression, after radiofrequency endothermal ablation (RFA) of a truncal varicose vein and concomitant foam sclerotherapy of the tributaries.

Methods: This prospective randomised controlled, non-inferiority trial recruited patients from two centres in Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland. Patients with clinical class C2-C4 chronic venous disease were randomised to receive no compression after the operation, or to receive compression stockings continuously for two days, and then, during the daytime for five days.

Minimized and conventional cardiopulmonary bypass damage intestinal mucosal integrity.

Objectives: Previous studies have suggested that gastrointestinal integrity is compromised after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We compared the effects of prolonged minimized (MCPB) and conventional CPB (CCPB) on intestinal mucosal integrity by determining mucosal damage, epithelial cell proliferation rate and distribution of tight junction proteins in a porcine model.

Design: Fourteen animals were randomly assigned to undergo 240 minutes of mild hypothermic MCPB or CCPB.

Immediate and 5-year outcome after coronary artery bypass surgery in very high risk patients (additive EuroSCORE ≥ 10).

Aim: We have evaluated the outcome after coronary artery bypass surgery in very high risk patients (additive EuroSCORE ≥ 10). The impact of beating heart coronary artery bypass surgery (BHCAB) on their outcome has been evaluated.

Methods: Retrospective study including 160 consecutive patients with additive EuroSCORE ≥ 10.

Immediate and intermediate outcome after off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with unstable angina pectoris.

Background: We have evaluated the immediate and intermediate outcome after off-pump (OPCAB) and conventional on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CCAB) in patients with unstable angina pectoris requiring nitrates infusion until arrival in the operating room.

Methods: A consecutive series of 153 and 161 patients with unrelenting angina pectoris underwent CCAB and OPCAB, respectively. Conversion from OPCAB to beating heart surgery with perfusion occurred in 4 patients.

Wheezing illness and re-hospitalization in the first two years of life after neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

Objectives: To determine the impact of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) on wheezing illnesses and re-hospitalizations in children as old as 2 years of age.

Study Design: We observed 2 geographically defined cohorts of children with RDS born after 26 weeks of gestation during 1990 to 1995 and 1996 to 1999 and gestationally paired control subjects. Recurrent wheezing illness and the re-hospitalizations caused by a respiratory condition were recorded.

Marked variation in oxycodone pharmacokinetics in infants.

Background: The pharmacokinetics of oxycodone (13-hydroxy-7,8-dihydrocodeinone) has been studied in adults and in children who are older than 6 months but there is no information on the disposition of oxycodone in neonates and young infants. The aim of this study was to study the pharmacokinetics of oxycodone in infants varying in age from 0 to 6 months.

Methods: Twenty-two infants undergoing surgery were given postoperatively an intravenous bolus of 0.

Changing incidence and outcome of infants with respiratory distress syndrome in the 1990s: a population-based survey.

Aim: To evaluate the trends in the incidence, clinical course and outcome of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in the newborn in the Oulu University Hospital region in northern Finland.

Methods: In the population of 58 990 infants, the incidence rates of RDS specific to gestational age and birthweight in two consecutive periods, 1990-95 and 1996-99, were calculated. Clinical course and other neonatal morbidities were reported.

pH-stat versus alpha-stat perfusion strategy during experimental hypothermic circulatory arrest: a microdialysis study.

Background: The superiority of the pH-stat to the alpha-stat acid-base strategy during cardiopulmonary bypass as a neuroprotective method during hypothermic circulatory arrest is still controversial. In the present study, brain metabolism and outcome have been evaluated in a surviving model of experimental hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Methods: Twenty pigs undergoing 75-minutes of hypothermic circulatory arrest at a brain temperature of 18 degrees C were randomly assigned to the alpha-stat (n = 10) or pH-stat (n = 10) strategy during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Surfactant protein A gene locus and respiratory distress syndrome in Finnish premature twin pairs.

Background: Surfactant protein A (SP-A) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). According to present hypothesis the association between SP-A polymorphisms and RDS may not be applicable to the entire population of premature infants.

Aim: The present study was designed to evaluate the associations between SP-A allelic variants and RDS in a population consisting of 198 premature twin pairs.

EEG burst recovery is predictive of brain injury after experimental hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Objective: To evaluate whether electroencephalography (EEG) recovery could be considered a reliable marker of brain injury after experimental hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA).

Design: Cortical electrical activity was registered before and after a 75-min period of HCA in 27 pigs that survived 7 days after the experiment. The sum of EEG bursts was counted as a percentage of the sum of artifact-free bursts and suppressions, and this percentage was used as a measure of EEG activity in the analysis.

Topical head cooling during rewarming after experimental hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential neuroprotective effect of topical head cooling during the first 2 postoperative hours after experimental hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Methods: Twenty pigs underwent a 75-minute period of hypothermic circulatory arrest and were randomly assigned to rewarming to 37 degrees C or to undergo topical cooling of the head for 2 hours from the start of rewarming followed by a period of external rewarming to 37 degrees C.

Results: The 7-day survival rate was 70% in the control group and 60% in the topical head cooling group.

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate for improved outcome after hypothermic circulatory arrest in pigs.

Objective: Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate is a high-energy intermediate in the anaerobic metabolism. It enhances glycolysis, preserves cellular adenosine triphosphate, and prevents the increase of intracellular calcium during ischemia. The potential neuroprotective effect of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate during hypothermic circulatory arrest was evaluated in a surviving porcine model.

Nitric oxide treatment and acute pulmonary inflammatory response in very premature infants with intractable respiratory failure shortly after birth.

Aim: Premature infants with respiratory failure and early-onset pneumonia have low inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) and no evidence of nitric oxide (NO) toxicity. However, inhalation of NO may not be indicated in sepsis because excessive NO generation has been reported. This prospective study was designed to test the hypothesis that inhaled NO is effective in a select group of small premature infants and that the responsiveness to NO is associated with low NOS2 enzyme.

A national two year follow up study of extremely low birthweight infants born in 1996-1997.

Objective: To study neurodevelopmental outcome in a two year cohort of extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants at 18 months corrected age, to compare the development of the ELBW infant subcohort with that of control children, and to find risk factors associated with unfavourable outcome.

Study Design: All 211 surviving ELBW infants (birth weight < 1000 g) born in Finland in 1996-1997 were included in a national survey. The ELBW infants (n = 78) who were born and followed in Helsinki University Hospital belonged to a regional subcohort and were compared with a control group of 75 full term infants.

Increase of intracranial pressure after hypothermic circulatory arrest in a chronic porcine model.

Objective: An increase in intracranial pressure has been shown to threaten the outcome of patients with ischemic or traumatic brain injury. Its impact on the outcome of pigs undergoing hypothermic circulatory arrest has been evaluated in this study.

Design: Fifty-six pigs underwent a 75-min period of hypothermic circulatory arrest at 20 degrees C.

Nitrotyrosine and NO synthases in infants with respiratory failure: influence of inhaled NO.

Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) is a selective vasodilator in pulmonary hypertension. However, the safety of inhaled NO (iNO) has not been established. Using an immunohistochemical technique, we studied the expression of NO synthase (NOS) isoforms NOS1, NOS2, NOS3, and nitrotyrosine, the marker of toxic NO-superoxide pathway, in lung specimens from autopsies.

Exhaled and nasal nitric oxide in mechanically ventilated preterm and term newborns.

Aim: Nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator required for neonatal pulmonary circulatory adaptation and for pulmonary defence. Both deficient and excessive NO production have been proposed to play a role in neonatal lung disease. This study aimed to establish a method that allows direct measurement of exhaled and nasal NO concentrations in newborn infants who require intubation and ventilation.