[The significance of the pneumatic tourniquet technique for an innovative varicose vein surgery--methods, advantages, risks, danger].

Aim: The systemic effects of the pneumatic tourniquet technique in varicose vein surgery were studied in order to evaluate possible risks and threats.

Methods: 155 patients were included to look at intraoperative changes of cardiovascular parameters and capillary blood and respiratory gases.

Results: Whereas the pulse rate showed only an insignificant rise of 3/min, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased significantly by 12 and 6 mm Hg resp.

[Mutations in the thyrotropin receptor gene in the pathogenesis of toxic thyroid adenomas, toxic goiter nodules and autosomal dominant hyperthyroidism].

In iodine deficiency regions such as Germany, more than 50% of toxic thyroid adenomas and some toxic goiter nodules harbor activating mutations in the TSH receptor or Gs-alpha gene. These mutations cause cellular hyperfunction and hyperthyroidism but are not sufficient to generate thyroid adenomas and nodules. In the pathogenesis of these tumors, other primary and secondary molecular mechanism are operative, including overexpression of growth factors, their receptors and of signaling proteins.

[Financing endoluminal stent prostheses in abdominal aortic aneurysms].

Clinical testing of endovascular therapy of aortic aneurysm is at present going on in various hospitals. Because of their restricted budgets, breaking even is not possible for hospitals realising this method of treatment. Amongst technical difficulties, legal questions and the lack of long-term studies, the common use of this expensive method is complicated by unsolved financing.