Six-year outcomes of a phase II study of human-tissue engineered blood vessels for peripheral arterial bypass.

Objective: The human acellular vessel (HAV) was evaluated for surgical bypass in a phase II study. The primary results at 24 months after implantation have been reported, and the patients will be evaluated for ≤10 years.

Methods: In the present report, we have described the 6-year results of a prospective, open-label, single-treatment arm, multicenter study.

Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome: Employment of a New Endovascular Treatment Technique-Mechanochemical Ablation Using the Flebogrif System.

Background: Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is characterized by a triad of symptoms; varicose veins and venous malformations (VMs), capillary malformations (port-wine stain), and soft tissue and bone hypertrophy. Herein, we retrospectively studied six patients with KTS who underwent treatment with the Flebogrif system and evaluated their outcomes.

Methods: Six KTS patients aged 16-22 years who had undergone 18 non-thermal ablations using the Flebogrif system were enrolled.

Collagen-Sealed Polyester Vascular Prostheses Functionalized by Polycatecholamine Coatings.

Collagen-sealed polyester (PET) prostheses are commonly used in reconstructive vascular surgery due to their self-sealing properties. To prevent post-surgical infection, different modification methods have been tested but so far none have showed long-term satisfactory efficiency. For this reason, in the present study, a commercial collagen-sealed PET prosthesis was coated by a highly adhesive poly (L-DOPA) layer maintaining the sealing protein without losing the original properties and functionality.

Effect of Reconstructive Procedures of the Extracranial Segment of the Carotid Arteries on Damage to the Blood-Brain Barrier.

Introduction: Endarterectomy and angioplasty of the internal carotid artery are surgical measures for the prevention of ischemic stroke. Perioperative complications are caused by concomitant embolism and reperfusion syndrome leading to damage of the blood-brain barrier.

Methods: The study included 88 patients divided into two groups, depending on the surgical technique used: internal carotid artery endarterectomy (CEA), 66 patients, and percutaneous carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS), 22 patients.

Five Year Outcomes in Patients with End Stage Renal Disease Who Received a Bioengineered Human Acellular Vessel for Dialysis Access.

Objective: Patients with end stage renal failure who require haemodialysis suffer morbidity and mortality due to vascular access. Bioengineered human acellular vessels (HAVs) may provide a haemodialysis access option with fewer complications than other grafts. In a prospective phase II trial from 2012 to 2014 (NCT01744418), HAVs were implanted into 40 haemodialysis patients at three sites in Poland.

Polycatecholamine and gentamicin as modifiers for antibacterial and blood-biocompatible polyester vascular prostheses.

Polyester (PET) prostheses are commonly used in reconstructive vascular surgery. The most serious complication after implantation is early or late infection of the graft. Therefore, there is high demand to protect prosthesis against bacterial adhesion and biofilm development.

Arterial reconstruction with human bioengineered acellular blood vessels in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Objective: Vascular conduit is essential for arterial reconstruction for a number of conditions, including trauma and atherosclerotic occlusive disease. We have developed a tissue-engineered human acellular vessel (HAV) that can be manufactured, stored on site at hospitals, and be immediately available for arterial vascular reconstruction. Although the HAV is acellular when implanted, extensive preclinical and clinical testing has demonstrated that the HAV subsequently repopulates with the recipient's own vascular cells.

Replacement of infected aortoiliac vascular grafts with bifurcated BioIntegral Surgical No-React bovine pericardial xenografts.

The infection of a vascular prosthesis is potentially fatal, and its effective treatment still remains the greatest challenge for vascular surgeons. We present our initial experience using bovine pericardial vascular prostheses to replace infected aortoiliac vascular grafts. Six consecutive patients with infection of the graft were prospectively included in this study.

Serum Neuron-Specific Enolase as a Marker of Brain Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Patients Undergoing Carotid Endarterectomy.

In patients with atherosclerotic stenosis of the extracranial segment of internal carotid artery, surgical intervention is an effective method to prevent cerebral ischemic stroke. However, this surgical procedure may cause vascular brain damage. The aim of the study was to investigate consequential brain ischemia-reperfusion injury by measuring the cerebral specific marker, neuron-specific (NSE), in serum of patients having undergone internal carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

Syndecan-4 Is an Independent Predictor of All-Cause as Well as Cardiovascular Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy is associated withincreased mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients.Syndecan-4 plays a role in many processes that are involved in the heart fibrosis and hypertrophy.We designed this study to prospectively determine whether syndecan-4 was predictive of mortality in a group of HD patients.

Bioengineered human acellular vessels for dialysis access in patients with end-stage renal disease: two phase 2 single-arm trials.

Background: For patients with end-stage renal disease who are not candidates for fistula, dialysis access grafts are the best option for chronic haemodialysis. However, polytetrafluoroethylene arteriovenous grafts are prone to thrombosis, infection, and intimal hyperplasia at the venous anastomosis. We developed and tested a bioengineered human acellular vessel as a potential solution to these limitations in dialysis access.

Axial splitting of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve facilitates second-stage elevation of basilic or brachial vein in patients with arteriovenous fistula.

We describe a novel surgical technique to facilitate the second-stage elevation of the basilic or brachial vein in patients with first-stage brachial-basilic or autogenous brachial-brachial arteriovenous fistula by axial splitting of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve (MABCN). Filaments of the MABCN typically traverse the anterior aspect of the basilic and brachial veins. The second-stage elevation/shelf superficialization of the basilic or brachial vein, so as not to cause an injury to the MABCN, requires division of these veins with transposition over the nerve branches and subsequent reanastomosis.

Superficialization of segmentally matured brachial vein complex as the last possible native, upper arm vascular access for hemodialysis.

Purpose: We present a case report on superficialization of the segmentally matured brachial vein complex as the last possible native vascular access for hemodialysis in the upper arm.

Methods: A 57-year-old, female patient was hemodialysed for 14 years. Due to multiple failures of her previous forearm and upper arm vascular access for hemodialysis, the last attempt at the creation of upper arm native vascular access was planned in terms of the formation of a two-stage autogenous brachial-brachial arterio-venous fistula (ABBA).

Endovenous laser ablation is an effective treatment for great saphenous vein incompetence in teenagers.

Objectives: The current knowledge of chronic venous disease in teenagers and its treatment is very limited. The aim of the study is to present our experience and the available literature data on the treatment of varicose veins in teenagers with endovenous laser ablation of the great saphenous vein.

Methods: Five patients, aged 15-17 years, were qualified for surgery, based on typical signs and symptoms of chronic venous disease.

New method of forced implantation of permanent catheters for hemodialysis into critically stenosed or occluded central veins.

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to report a novel technique of forced implantation of catheters for hemodialysis into critically stenosed or occluded central veins, without preceding angioplasty or stenting.

Material And Methods: Sixteen patients with central venous occlusive disease, requiring urgent hemodialysis underwent this procedure. Catheterization of stenosis - occlusion was initially performed with soft guidewire, subsequently exchanged to stiff guidewire.

Efficacy evaluation of bio trombina ® 400 in mini mall y invasive treatment of complications (pseudoaneurysms), after venipuncture for diagnostic purposes. Authors' own experience - case study of 38 patients.

Unlabelled: Common use of venipuncture on upper and lower limbs for diagnostic purposes (such as coronarography or arteriography), and also during the course of treatment (angioplasty), very often bares a complication in the form of pseudoaneurysms. According to various reports, the incidence of pseudoaneurysms ranges from 0.005% to 0.

Carotid surgery affects plasma kynurenic acid concentration: a pilot study.

Background: An increase in plasma kynurenic acid (KYNA) concentration has been observed following surgery, inflammation, and cerebral pathologies. The aim of the present study was to analyze the changes in plasma KYNA concentration in patients undergoing carotid surgery (CS).

Material And Methods: Adult patients undergoing elective carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid angioplasty with stent placement (CAS) were studied.

The evaluation of the effectiveness of Tachosil in the treatment of lymphorrhea of the postoperative wound in the selected group of patients, after vascular reconstructive surgeries--preliminary report.

Unlabelled: Lymphorrhea of a postoperative wound after vascular reconstructive surgeries does not occur frequently but it accounts for a major complication. It should be brought to attention that during the intraoperative period it is impossible to diagnose any damages within the lymphatic system of the operated area. Additionally, the treatment of lymphorrhea with thermal abrasion does not usually bring the desired outcome.

Selected factors of fibrinolysis in the Buerger's disease.

Unlabelled: Thrombangiitis obliterans (TAO marked by coexistence of thrombotic and inflammatory changes of neurovascular tract has evoked a considerable dispute concerning pathogenesis of this disease. The aim of the study was to define the level of activation of fibirinolitic system in course of TAO disease by means of determination its basic constituents as well as to examine the essence of level of fibrinolysis disorders in pathogenesis and development of this disease.

Material And Methods: Fifty patients with thrombangiitis obliterans (TAO), 30 patients with peripheral occlusive disease - PAOD (ASO) and 20 healthy volunteers (K) have been subjected to the examination.

Minimally invasive, endovenous laser treatment of varicose veins in patients with von Willebrand disease.

The presented report presents a minimally invasive approach for the treatment of varicose veins in patients with chronic venous disease and coexisting von Willebrand disease, the most common inherited bleeding disorder. Conventional stripping of an insufficient great saphenous vein and varicose vein surgery, carries a potential risk of serious bleeding complications in this specific group of patients. It is related to the extent of open surgery, significant tissue trauma, and possible post-operative bleeding of wounds.

Percutaneous endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair within the infrarenal region. Preliminary report.

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to thoroughly evaluate the closure device ProStar XL in terms of its efficiency and safety in the percutaneous endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms in the infrarenal section of the body. Additionally, it was crucial to assess if there were any occurrences of regional complications at any step of the procedure. It was also important to stipulate the estimated hospitalization period as well as the overall cost of the PEVAR treatment with the use of ProStar XL.

[The role of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in angiogenesis].

Cellular aspect of angiogenesis - the multilevel process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels--includes migration and proliferation of the cells as well as remodelling of their environment--extracellular matrix (ECM). The key role in ECM remodelling is played by proteolytic enzymes classified as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Recent research shows that performed by MMPs degradation of vascular ECM components is a significant event ocurring during angiogenesis.

[The role of matrix metalloproteinases in venous leg ulcers development].

Venous leg ulcers are one of the most serious therapeutic and economic problems of current medicine. In spite of the rapid progress in the diagnostics of venous disorders, the pathogenesis of venous leg ulcers remains unclear. Current medicine describes many theories that try to explain the patophysiology of venous ulceration.