Publications by authors named "Raja Nassar"
Background: During clinical application of flow surveillance of hemodialysis grafts, the risk of thrombosis is assessed month after month, rather than after one or several measurements, as has been done in published studies. Adequate assessment of risk should consider the many measurements obtained over time.
Study Design: Prospective cohort diagnostic test study.
Article Synopsis
- This study focused on establishing criteria for identifying significant decreases in blood flow (Q) during hemodialysis access surveillance in patients with grafts or fistulas.
- Researchers measured Q multiple times in 25 patients during dialysis sessions and found that a decrease greater than 33% is significant at p < 0.05, while a decrease over 17% is significant at p < 0.20.
- The study concluded these thresholds help guide referrals for evaluating and correcting vascular stenosis, with a recommendation favoring a > 33% decrease to minimize unnecessary procedures.
Most recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have found that hemodialysis graft surveillance combined with preemptive correction of stenosis does not prolong graft survival. Nevertheless, such programs may be justified if they reduce other adverse outcomes or decrease the cost of care. This study tested this hypothesis by applying a secondary analysis to our original RCT.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExpression of the proto-oncogene eIF4E in inflammation of the oral cavity.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
March 2002
Objective: eIF4E (4E) is elevated in 100% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and in premalignant lesions of the larynx. However, it is not elevated in normal mucosa. In this study, we hypothesize that 4E is not significantly elevated in inflammation unlike its expression in premalignant lesions of the oral cavity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Intimal hyperplastic thickening (IHT) is a common cause of prosthetic bypass graft failure, influenced by factors like flow dynamics and injury at graft sites.
- In a study with canine models, researchers measured IHT distribution after 12 weeks in PTFE grafts, finding higher thickening in the graft compared to the native artery and a relationship between IHT and wall shear stress.
- The findings suggest that reduced wall shear stress at the graft-host interface contributes to IHT development, highlighting the importance of hemodynamics in graft-related injuries.