The impact of severe haemophilia on the social status and quality of life among Austrian haemophiliacs.

Although many studies of the impact of haemophilia on the quality of life were conducted, there is hardly any data on the social status of haemophiliacs. It was the aim of our study to obtain data on the social status of Austrian haemophiliacs and to compare these with an age- and sex-matched reference population. Furthermore, we collected data on the quality of life of haemophilia patients.

Antiplatelet therapy prior to carotid endarterectomy--still room for improvement.

Background: Antiplatelet therapy is one of the most important modalities for secondary prevention of ischemic events. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the current practice of antiplatelet therapy in patients with high grade stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA), who were referred by neurologists, stroke physicians and cardiologists for carotid endarterectomy.

Patients And Methods: Patients referred to our department for carotid endarterectomy with ICA stenosis (> 70% according to NASCET criteria) were prospectively evaluated regarding atherosclerosis risk factors and current antiplatelet therapy.

Efficacy and safety of ibutilide for the conversion of monomorphic atrial tachycardia.

Background: Ibutilide is a class III antiarrhythmic drug, frequently used for conversion of atrial fibrillation and flutter. We studied the efficacy of ibutilide for acute conversion of monomorphic atrial tachycardia (monoAT) in a prospective, open label study in the intensive care unit of a cardiological clinic.

Methods: We examined 49 episodes of monoAT in 38 patients (19 men/19 women).

Carotid endarterectomy under local anaesthesia does not increase plasma homocysteine concentration.

Introduction: The purpose of this cohort study was to evaluate the effect of carotid endarterectomy under local anaesthesia on homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations.

Patients And Methods: Of 100 patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis >70%, the complete data set was available for 91 patients (39 asymptomatic and 52 symptomatic). All patients underwent eversion endarterectomy of the ICA under regional anaesthesia.

Antithrombotic strategies in vascular surgery: evidence and practice.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the current practice of peri and postoperative antithrombotic therapy in vascular surgery in Austria and to compare this with the results of randomised prospective clinical trials.

Methods: A questionnaire assessing intra, postoperative and long-term antithrombotic treatment in 13 different surgical procedures (three supra-aortic, three aorto-iliac reconstructions and seven inguinal and infra-inguinal arterial reconstructions) was sent to all 22 institutions training vascular surgical fellows in Austria.

Results: Intraoperative antithrombotic therapy was quite consistently performed with unfractionated heparin (UFH) with or without acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).