Regional and socioeconomic disparities in calcium scans.

Introduction: Disparities in cardiovascular care are well recognized, with socioeconomic status being one of the strongest determinants of cardiovascular disease outcomes. This study evaluates whether these disparities translate to coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan utilization. Specifically, we aim to describe regional variation and socioeconomic variables that impact CAC utilization across the United States relative to the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and related comorbidities.

What barriers delay treatment in patients with hepatitis C?

A Multiple patient-specific and provider-perceived factors delay initiation of treatment in patients with hepatitis C. Patient-specific barriers to initiation of treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) include age, race, gender, economic status, insurance status, and comorbidities such as HIV coinfection, psychiatric illness, and other psychosocial factors.Provider-perceived patient factors include substance abuse history, older age, psychiatric illness, medical comorbidities, treatment adverse effect risks, and factors that might limit adherence (eg, comprehension level).

[Prevention of HLA antibody formation in patients with hemato-oncologic diseases by using leukocyte depleted blood preparations].

Objective: To determine the effect of transfusion therapy with leukocyte-depleted platelet concentrates in comparison to transfusion support with standard platelet concentrates on the frequency of HLA alloimmunization in hematologic-oncologic patients.

Design: Prospective randomized study.

Setting: Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology at a University Hospital.

[Investigational and methodological difficulties in the demonstration of cryoglobulins].

Cryoglobulins and cryofibrinogens are special forms of cryopathies. With regard to the clinical findings, determination and analysis of cryoproteins can support the diagnostics. Because cryoproteins occur in patients and healthy persons, occasionally it may be difficult to estimate the clinical significance.

A comparative study on the solid phase capture--platelet test, platelet adhesion immunofluorescence test and lymphocytotoxic test.

The sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility of the solid phase capture-platelet test (CPT) were compared with those of the platelet adhesion immunofluorescence test (PAIFT) and the lymphocytotoxic test (LCT). This study shows that CPT has a higher sensitivity than PAIFT (P < 0.001) and LCT (P < 0.

[Preoperative autologous blood donation].

There are three basic forms of the 170-year-old autologous blood transfusion. The intraoperative and perioperative autologous blood transfusion and the preoperative autologous blood donation and retransfusion. The latter is a preferred task of blood transfusion services.

[Blood-saving procedures--transfusion medicine aspects].

Homologous blood can be spared by the donation and retransfusion of autologues blood which has to be supervised preferably or--in component therapy and longtime conservation--exclusively by transfusion medicine. In spite of the recently increasing interest in this form of blood substitute, the sparing effect is poor and of little importance, because it can only be applied in case of especially suitable patients and operations and it is more time- and cost-consuming than the homologous transfusion. The sparing effect could be increased if the method would be applied in all suitable patients and interventions.

[Statistical analysis of parameters which determine yield in continuous centrifugal plateletpheresis].

In order to ensure the economical handling of thrombocyte preparations which cannot be dispensed of and provided in unlimited quantities as well as in the interest of an indulgent behaviour towards donors it is desirable to adjust the platelet content of preparations in such a way that it corresponds to a therapeutically required, but also sufficient concentration. For this purpose, it must be possible to assess the yield of an apheresis in advance. This can be made without any difficulties by applying an equation developed according to a mathematical-statistical analysis by a multiple and partial correlation from 120 cases of apheresis, which shows, however, that the yield does not depend on machine data, but in a decisive manner on the donor's initial platelet number and the separated total blood volume.

[Washed erythrocyte concentrates. A contribution to the problem of the effect of wash procedures and storage time on erythrocytes in the preparation of blood].

The question of how often erythrocytes should be washed in order to obtain a protein-free and therapeutically efficient unit of washed red blood cells is still controversial. To obtain more information regarding this problem, 6 X 15 units of whole blood were washed 1-6 times with a saline solution immediately and after 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days of storage. After each washing procedure the content of total protein, of immunglobulins A, G, and M and of complement factor C3 was determined in the supernatants, as well as the osmotic fragility in the corresponding erythrocyte sediments.

Lymphocyte surface marker studies in the diagnosis of unexplained lymphocytosis.

Fifty-six patients with unexplained lymphocytosis were investigated with a panel of antibodies to lymphocyte surface antigens. In 23 the distribution of cell surface markers suggested reactive lymphocytosis. The remaining 33 patients showed a distribution of cell surface markers that indicated or suggested a diagnosis of B-cell lymphoproliferative disease.