Blood flow velocity comparison in the eye capillaries and postcapillary venules between normal pregnant and non-pregnant women.

Background: There is no consensus on how much and at what diameters the blood flow velocity changes in the female microcirculation during normal pregnancy.

Methods: A non-contact, digital slit-lamp biomicroscopy system was used to measure axial blood velocity (Vax) and diameter (D) in the conjunctival microcirculation of 28 normal non-pregnant women (Control Group), 17 women in the first semester of their normal pregnancy (Group 1) and 16 women in the third trimester of their normal pregnancy (Group 2). Blood volume flow (Q) was estimated from Vax and D.

Predicting short-term mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism: a simple model.

Background: The aim of the present study was to develop a simple prognostic rule that could classify patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) into categories of increased risk of 30-day mortality.

Methods: One hundred patients with PE were enrolled. Clinical and laboratory findings were recorded on admission for each patient.