Electrical stimulation vs. standard care for chronic ulcer healing: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Background: We conducted a systematic review to investigate the effect of electrical stimulation on ulcer healing compared to usual treatment and/or sham stimulation. This systematic review also aimed to investigate the effect of different types of electrical stimulation on ulcer size reduction.

Materials And Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched from inception to October 2013 on randomised controlled trials (RCTs), in English and on human subjects, which assessed the effect of electrical stimulation on ulcer size as compared to standard care and/or sham stimulation.

A comparison of the effectiveness of treating those with and without the complications of superficial venous insufficiency.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that patients with soft tissue changes related to superficial venous insufficiency (SVI) have greater benefits from treatment than those with only symptomatic varicose veins.

Background: A commonly held view is that SVI is only a minor ailment, yet randomized clinical trials (RCTs) show that treatment improves quality of life (QoL) and is cost-effective. In an effort to curb the treatment costs of this common disorder, rationing is applied in many health care systems, often limiting the reimbursement of treatment to those with soft tissue changes.

Computerized dynamic posturography for postural control assessment in patients with intermittent claudication.

Computerized dynamic posturography with the EquiTest is an objective technique for measuring postural strategies under challenging static and dynamic conditions. As part of a diagnostic assessment, the early detection of postural deficits is important so that appropriate and targeted interventions can be prescribed. The Sensory Organization Test (SOT) on the EquiTest determines an individual's use of the sensory systems (somatosensory, visual, and vestibular) that are responsible for postural control.

Supervised exercise program improves aerobic fitness in patients awaiting abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Background: Aerobic fitness is an important predictor of postoperative outcome in major surgery. In this study, we assess the effects of a period of preoperative exercise on aerobic fitness as measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in patients scheduled for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.

Methods: As part of a randomized trial, the first patients recruited in the intervention group were enrolled in a supervised exercise program of six week duration.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty results in improved physical function but not balance in patients with intermittent claudication.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify whether revascularization by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for patients with intermittent claudication improved measures of functional performance including balance.

Methods: A prospective observational study was performed at a single tertiary vascular center. Patients with symptomatic intermittent claudication (Rutherford grades 1-3) were recruited to the study.

Balance impairment, physical ability, and its link with disease severity in patients with intermittent claudication.

Background: To determine whether increasing claudication severity is associated with impaired balance and physical functional ability.

Methods: A prospective observational study in claudicants was performed. Disease severity was determined according to Rutherford's criteria.

Factors affecting the patency of arteriovenous fistulas for dialysis access.

Background: The autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the accepted gold standard mode of repeated vascular access for hemodialysis in terms of access longevity, patient morbidity, and health care costs. This review assesses the current evidence supporting the role of various patient and surgeon factors on AVF patency.

Methods: The literature was searched to identify the current evidence available for patient characteristics, methods of AVF planning, and anatomic factors that may affect patency outcomes after AVF formation.

Great saphenous vein transposition to the forearm for dialysis vascular access; an under used autologous option?

Purpose: The recommended site for the next autologous vascular access in patients without suitable cephalic vein for fistula formation is basilic vein transposition. This study aims to compare outcomes from great saphenous vein transpositions to the forearm with that of basilic vein transposition. Comparison is reported in terms of primary and secondary patency, intervention, and complication rates in our unit.