Ischemic Toe Ulceration Due to Foreign Body Embolus From Hydrophilic Polymer-Coated Intravascular Device.

Hydrophilic polymer coatings are now widely applied to catheters and other intravascular devices used in neurovascular, cardiovascular, and peripheral vascular procedures. Emboli consisting of these materials have been previously identified in biopsies and autopsies following pulmonary infarction, stroke, gangrene, or death. We report a case involving a nonhealing foot ulcer that appeared following cardiac catheterization, stenting, and automatic implanted cardiac defibrillator (AICD) implantation in a patient without other evidence of significant peripheral artery disease.

Hemosiderosis is associated with accelerated decompensation and decreased survival in patients with cirrhosis.

Aim: Although hepatic iron deposition unrelated to hereditary hemochromatosis is commonly observed in cirrhosis, its clinical significance is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the outcomes of cirrhotic patients with and without hemosiderosis.

Methods: Patients with an initial liver biopsy demonstrating cirrhosis between January 1993 and December 1997 were identified using the Department of Pathology database.

Detection of factor V leiden and prothrombin gene mutations in patients who died with thrombotic events.

Context: Individuals with factor V or prothrombin gene mutations are at increased risk for thrombotic events. Furthermore, the risk of recurrent deep venous thrombosis in heterozygous carriers of both factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene mutations is high enough that some investigators suggest lifelong warfarin prophylaxis for these individuals, even with a single spontaneous thrombotic event.

Objectives: To assess the incidence of factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene mutations in an autopsy population and to determine if these tests can prove useful in identification of at-risk family members.