Carotid Restenosis Rate After Stenting for Primary Lesions Versus Restenosis After Endarterectomy With Creation of Risk Index.

Purpose: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is an option for carotid restenosis (CR) treatment with favorable outcomes. However, CAS has also emerged as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for the management of patients with primary carotid stenosis. This study aimed to report CR rates after CAS was performed in patients with primary lesions versus restenosis after CEA, to identify predictors of CR, and to report both neurological and overall outcomes.

Vascular Age as a Predictor of Side Effects After Facial Lipofilling.

Background: Vascular age (VA) represents chronological age adjusted for an individual's atherosclerotic burden. Keeping in mind the fact that facial vascularization could influence the success of esthetic interventions, we aimed to investigate the predictive value of VA in development of side effects following facial lipofilling.

Methods: In the period from October 1, 2014, to October 1, 2015, 106 consecutive subjects who underwent a facial lipofilling were included in the study.

Preoperative Insight Into the Quality of Radial Artery Grafts.

We investigated the impact of preoperative ultrasonography of the forearm circulation on radial artery conduit selection. Preoperative ultrasound of the forearm circulation was performed routinely in 536 patients planned for radial artery harvesting. The safety assessment of the harvest included the following algorithm of tests: the ultrasound, the Allen test, and pulse oximetry.

The Impact of Facial Lipofilling on Patient-Perceived Improvement in Facial Appearance and Quality of Life.

An investigation of the effect of facial lipofilling on patient's satisfaction is a challenging and ongoing research area. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of aesthetic intervention on self-perceived improvement in facial appearance and quality of life (QoL) after 1- and 6-month follow-ups. In the period from October 1, 2014, to March 1, 2015, a total of 63 consecutive subjects who underwent a facial lipofilling were included in the study.

Percutaneous angioplasty of internal jugular and azygous veins in patients with chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency and multiple sclerosis: early and mid-term results.

Purpose: To assess the safety of endovascular treatment of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Materials And Methods: A total of 72 patients with CCSVI and MS (44 with relapsing remitting--RR, 4 with primary progressive, 20 with secondary progressive and 4 with benign MS) underwent percutaneous angioplasty. Outcome measures were colour Doppler ultrasonography parameters, gradient pressure at the vein abnormality level, postoperative complications, re-stenosis, disease severity scored by means of Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and patients' assumption of disease status.

[Ultrasonografic monitoring of hemodynamic parameters in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with high-grade carotid stenosis prior and following carotid endarterectomy].

Background/aim: Doppler ultrasonography is now a reliable diagnostic tool for noninvasive examination of the morphology and hemodynamic parameters of extracranial segments of blood vessels that participate in the brain vascularisation. This diagnostic modality in recent years become the only diagnostic tool prior to surgery. The aim of the study was to determine hemodynamic status in symptomatic and asymtomatic patients with severe carotid stenosis prior to and after carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

The sex-specific association of Met62Ile gene polymorphism in P-selectin glycoprotein ligand (PSGL-1) with carotid plaque presence: preliminary study.

Atherosclerosis is known as an inflammatory disease in which a recruitment of leukocytes to the endothelium wall represents a preliminary step of the initiation and the development of disease. The P-selectin glycoprotein ligand (PSGL-1) seems to be the major molecule mediating leukocyte-endothelium interactions and leukocyte rolling on stimulated endothelium. There are limited number of studies reporting on association of Met62Ile SNP in PSGL-1 gene and the risk for atherosclerosis.

Color duplex sonography in the detection of internal carotid artery restenosis after carotid endarterectomy: comparison with computed tomographic angiography.

Objectives: Internal carotid artery restenosis after carotid endarterectomy is a major postoperative event, but the clinically best suited means for diagnosis of restenosis are still debated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of color duplex sonography for detection of substantial internal carotid artery restenosis, verified by computed tomographic (CT) angiography.

Methods: The study group consisted of 210 consecutive patients with internal carotid artery restenosis, defined as restenosis of 50% or greater, verified by color duplex sonography.

Color Doppler sonographic evaluation of flow volume of the internal carotid and vertebral arteries after carotid endarterectomy.

Background: To measure by Doppler sonography the blood flow volume (BFV) of the ipsilateral and contralateral extracranial internal carotid arteries (ICAs) and both vertebral arteries (VAs) before and after a carotid endarterectomy (CEA) of the ICA. We correlated the result with the degree of stenosis of the ICA.

Method: One hundred seven patients who had a CEA were divided into 2 groups.

Eversion carotid endarterectomy versus best medical treatment in symptomatic patients with near total internal carotid occlusion: a prospective nonrandomized trial.

Background: We sought to prospectively evaluate clinical effects of eversion carotid endarterectomy (ECEA) versus best medical treatment of symptomatic patients with near total internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion.

Methods: From January 2003 to December 2006, a total of 309 recently (within 12 months) symptomatic patients with near total ICA occlusion who were eligible for surgery were identified in our institution. Patients were nonrandomly divided into group A (259 patients), who underwent ECEA surgery, and group B (50 patients), who refused surgery.

Recanalization of chronic carotid occlusion: case report and review of the literature.

Recanalization of an occluded extracranial internal carotid artery is a rare event. The mechanism remains unclear. We report a case of recanalized internal carotid artery in its extracranial portion.

[Internal carotid artery occlusion or subocclusion--contemporary diagnostic challenges: case report].

Introduction: Measurement of vessel stenosis using ultrasonography or magnetic resonance is still the principal method for determining the severity of carotid atherosclerosis and need for endarterectomy.

Case Outline: A 56-year-old male was admitted to the Cardiovascular Institute "Dedinje" due to a clinically asymptomatic restenosis of the operated left internal carotid artery (ICA). Angiography and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in previous hospitalization had revealed occluded right ICA.

Jugular vein aneurysm.

Jugular vein aneurysm is a rare morphologic entity. This report describes a case of an asymptomatic internal jugular vein aneurysm that presented as an enlarging mass in the neck. Diagnosis was established with duplex ultrasonography and venography.

Association of MMP-3 5A/6A gene polymorphism with susceptibility to carotid atherosclerosis.

Objectives: Stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) as a key member of metalloproteinase family could have an important role in atherogenesis. The 5A/6A polymorphism in the promoter of MMP-3 gene affects the level of MMP-3 gene expression. We assessed whether the MMP-3 promoter low- and high-activity genotypes are related to susceptibility for carotid atherosclerosis (CA) in Serbian population.

Radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting: a stepwise-made decision.

Background: The purpose of this study was to propose a safe, stepwise, testing system to select radial arteries that are suitable for conduits on the basis of their morphologies and characteristics of the collateral circulation.

Methods: Before operation, 113 patients underwent the modified Allen test, Doppler ultrasonography, and pulse oximetry testing. Morphologic criteria used for radial artery exclusion were small size of radial or ulnar artery (< 2 mm in inner diameter), diffuse calcifications, and congenital anomalies of forearm arteries.

Temporal trends in eversion carotid endarterectomy for carotid atherosclerosis: single-center experience with 5,034 patients.

The aim of this article is to review our experience in surgical treatment of carotid atherosclerosis using eversion carotid endarterectomy (ECEA) in 5,034 patients, with particular attention to temporal changes in patients' characteristics, diagnostic approach, surgical technique, medical therapy, and outcome in the early (group A, 1991-1997) versus late (group B 1998-2004) period of ECEA. From January 1991 to December 2004, 5,034 primary ECEAs were performed for high-grade carotid stenosis. Patients treated for restenosis after previous carotid surgery were excluded from the analysis.