Qualitative and quantitative assessment of nailfold capillaries by capillaroscopy in healthy volunteers.

Background: Nailfold capillaroscopy (NVC) is a diagnostic tool particularly useful in the differential diagnosis of rheumatic and connective tissue diseases. Although successfully applied since many years, little is known about prevalence and distribution of NVC changes in healthy individuals.

Probands And Methods: NVC was performed in 120 individuals (57 men and 63 women; age 18 to 70 years) randomly selected according to predefined age and sex strata.

Angio-Seal use in patients with peripheral arterial disease (ASPIRE).

Purpose: To investigate the incidence of complications after the use of an arterial closure device (Angio-Seal) in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Methods: In 105 consecutive patients after transfemoral catheterization, the puncture site was closed using a closure device (Angio-Seal). Colour-flow-duplexsonography studies were conducted 1 to 4 days before, within 3 days after and 3 month after the intervention.

Efficacy and tolerability of liposomal heparin spraygel as an add-on treatment in the management of superficial venous thrombosis.

Superficial venous thrombosis usually resolves spontaneously in a few weeks. In most cases, treatment includes peroral analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs accompanied by the recommendation to wear elastic stockings and perform regular mild ambulation. In contrast to this "standard treatment," a recent ACCP guideline has recommended that patients affected by spontaneous superficial thrombophlebitis be treated with intermediate doses of unfractionated or low-molecular-weight heparin.

Transition from primary Raynaud's phenomenon to secondary Raynaud's phenomenon identified by diagnosis of an associated disease: results of ten years of prospective surveillance.

Objective: To assess the early signs, risk factors, and rate of transition from primary Raynaud's phenomenon (primary RP) to secondary RP.

Methods: A clinical sample of 307 consecutive patients with RP was included in a prospective followup study. After an initial screening, 244 patients were classified as having primary RP, of whom 236 were followed up for a mean +/- SD of 11.

Low level laser therapy in primary Raynaud's phenomenon--results of a placebo controlled, double blind intervention study.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of low level laser therapy in patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon and predict the success of laser therapy by clinical characteristics.

Methods: Forty-eight patients were included in a randomized placebo controlled, double blind crossover study. Laser and sham therapy each were applied 5 days a week for 3 weeks.

Degree of atherosclerosis predicts short-term commitment for smoking cessation therapy.

Background: Only little is known about factors that influence the smokers' propensity to start smoking cessation therapy and stay within such programs.

Methods: One hundred fifteen subjects that were current smokers and presented at the angiologic outpatient unit were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. All patients were invited to take part in a smoking cessation program.

Duplex ultrasound-guided femoropopliteal angioplasty: initial and 12-month results from a case controlled study.

Purpose: To evaluate initial technical success, procedural complications, and 12-month patency of duplex-guided angioplasty compared to conventional fluoroscopically-guided procedures.

Methods: One hundred four patients (65 men; mean age 69 years) who underwent duplex-guided femoropopliteal angioplasty were compared to 104 patients undergoing fluoroscopically-guide procedures who were matched for age, sex, baseline ankle-brachial index (ABI), and length and grade of lesion. Patients were followed for 12 months, and restenosis was assessed by ABI and duplex sonography.

Duplex sonographic predictors of restenosis, vascular and neurological events after carotid endarterectomy.

Background: Although excellent short- and long-term results have been achieved with surgery in extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis, recurrent stenosis continues to play an important role in post-endarterectomy. Therefore, a close follow-up of patients is warranted. The value of postoperative duplex sonographic evaluations in postoperative follow-up is highly disputed.