Evidence that thrombus organizing blood derived cells produce prostaglandin I2-.

An artificial vessel replacement, which is athrombogenic and impermeable for a migration from the adjacent tissue, was implanted end to end into the thoracic aorta of 10 sheep. The center of this tube has a Dacron surface, which is known to trap blood elements. We examined the tissue samples built up by blood derived cells between 2 and 84 days morphologically by means of light microscopy as well as by SEM and TEM.

[Pathological fractures of long medullary bones due to malignant tumours: indications for osteosynthesis (author's transl)].

51 cases of pathological fracture, mostly due to metastatic malignant tumours, are reviewed in respect to the methods and results of operative treatment. These results are compared with those of other authors. It is found that resection of the tumour and osteosynthesis combined with the use of bone cement is the best way of treatment to relieve the patients of pain, mobilize them as soon as possible and improve the quality of their short, remaining lifespan.

[Extra-anatomical bypass grafting in high-risk patients (author's transl)].

Extra-anatomical grafting (axillo-femoral and femoro-femoral bypass) seems to present a possibility of saving the lower limbs from amputation in high-risk patients with severe decompensation from arterial occlusive diseases of the legs. A case description is given of 20 patients, in whom 21 bypass procedures were carried out. The results with axillo-femoral bypass proved satisfactory and this method of intervention can be recommended as an emergency operation in high-risk patients.

[Femoro-crural reconstruction in preference to amputation (author's transl)].

22 cases of arterial occlusion below the branching of the popliteal artery and 1 case of traumatic subtotal amputation of the calf were revascularized by autogenous femoro-crural vein bypasses. All patients had pain at rest and/or gangrene. So far, with an average bypass patency of 15 months in two of three equal parts of the operated legs, the decision to try reconstruction instead to amputate has met with successful results.

[The research programme "Artificial Heart" at the 2nd Department of Surgery, University of Vienna: a ten year review (author's transl)].

The experimental and clinical results are presented of the research programme "Artificial Heart" carried out by the 2nd Department of Surgery, University of Vienna. In particular, an assessment of the clinical experience in 177 patients with the intra-aortic balloon pump is documented and it is concluded that only limited cardiac support is possible by this pump. In view of this fact more efficient methods of mechanical circulatory support, such as the interaortic auxilliary ventricle, the aortic "Windkessel" ventricle with guiding balloon, and two types of ventriculo-aortic bypass ventricle were tested with regard to their haemodynamic and long-time efficacy.