Local carotid stiffness, hemodynamic forces and blood viscosity in patients with cerebral lacunar infarctions.

OBJECTIVE: The carotid stiffness is an important factor in the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular small vessel disease. Our study aimed to evaluate the relation of the local arterial stiffness of the common carotid artery (CCA) to the hemodynamic forces and blood viscosity in patients with cerebral lacunar infarctions (LI). METHODS: Twenty-two patients with chronic LI and 15 age-matched controls were examined. An ultrasound examination of the CCA intima-media thickness (IMT), the parameters of local CCA stiffness: distensibility (DC) and compliance coefficients (CC), α and ß stiffness indices and pulse wave velocity (PWV) was performed. The local hemodynamic forces were calculated: circumferential wall tension (CWT) and wall shear stress (WSS). Whole blood viscosity (WBV) and shear stresses at shear rates of 0.277 s - 1 to 94.5 s - 1 were measured in patients and controls. RESULTS: Higher values of IMT, a significant decrease of DC and CC and an increase of α and ß stiffness indices and PWV in the LI patients compared to the controls were obtained. A parallel significant increase in CWT and a decrease in WSS was found. An increase in WBV and a significant increase in shear stresses were detected. In the LI patients, the increased stiffness indices were associated with an increase in age, cholesterol and WBV at higher shear rates in the left CCA. In the controls, the IMT and stiffness indices correlated significantly with the hemodynamic factors and WBV in both CCAs, while the stiffness indices correlated with the hemodynamic forces in the left CCA. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study demonstrate different associations of the local carotid stiffness indices with the hemodynamic forces and WBV in patients with LI and controls.

[LAPAROSCOPIC BURCH COLPOSUSPENSION WITH PARAVAGINAL REPAIR].

Genuine urinary stress incontinence (GUSI) is defined by the International Continence Society (ICS) as involuntary loss of urine coincident with increased intra-abdominal pressure in the absence of a detrusor contraction or an over-distended bladder. If the patient demonstrates a cystocele secondary to a paravaginal defect, a paravaginal defect repair should be performed before the colposuspension. The laparoscopic retropubic colposuspension gained popularity because of its reported advantages of improved visualization, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and decreased blood loss. A review of our experience revealed 11 of 24 patients had a Burch urethropexy and paravaginal repair and 13 of 24 a Burch urethropexy alone. Average operative time was 80 min, estimated blood loss of less than 50 ml and hospital stays less than 48 h.

[LAPAROSCOPIC SACROCOLPOPEXY].

Numerous surgical procedures have been described for the management of pelvic organ prolapse. Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy has evolved from classical abdominal sacrocolpopexy and provides the potential to combine the success rate of an abdominal approach with faster recovery time associated with a minimally invasive technique. Pelvic organ support was assessed objectively using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification scale (POP-Q). Tissue dissection and mesh placement are facilitated by magnification of the operating field using laparoscopic approach. Our results confirm previous findings that laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy is a safe and efficacious surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse. It provides excellent support and good functional outcome with overall improvement in sexual function.

Dynamics of free radical processes in acute ischemic stroke: influence on neurological status and outcome.

The dynamics of free radical processes during the acute stage of ischemic stroke and their relationship with the clinical status of patients were studied. An enhanced extracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by peripheral phagocytes was observed in severe stroke patients during the whole acute stage. This generation correlated positively with the size of infarct, the severity of neurological deficit and handicap and correlated negatively with the improvement of the neurological status of patients. An increase in the activity of two enzymes from the antioxidant defense mechanism, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, was registered during the whole acute phase of stroke, regardless of its severity. The concentration of lipid peroxidation products increased over time. Blood concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive material (TBARM) correlated positively with the size of infarct, the severity of neurological deficit and handicap. In conclusion, extracellular ROS generation by phagocytes and blood TBARM concentration could be used as indicators for stroke outcome.

Oxidative stress in the chronic phase after stroke.

The spontaneous and the stimulated extracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by peripheral phagocytes, the blood antioxidant capacity and the degree of oxidative damage were evaluated in patients with severe ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in the chronic phase of disease. It was found in patients compared to the control group that: (i) the spontaneous phagocyte oxidative activity was enhanced independently of the type of stroke and the time elapsed after stroke onset; (ii) there was no difference in the extracellular ROS generation stimulated by opsonin-dependent and independent receptor mechanisms; (iii) there was no change in the indices of blood antioxidant capacity; (iv) the concentration of plasma lipid peroxides was enhanced regardless of the type of stroke, but it significantly increased over time; and (v) the concentration of blood thiobarbituric acid-reactive material was also enhanced. It was independent of the type of stroke and remained elevated during the whole period studied. We have demonstrated an enhanced spontaneous phagocyte oxidative activity and oxidative damage to lipids in patients in the chronic phase after stroke. The elimination of generated ROS and products of lipid peroxidation from the circulation could prevent the aggravation of chronic vascular injury in patients and could reduce the possibility of a subsequent stroke. This suggests the need for complex therapy, including antioxidant treatment directed to exclude the effects of free radicals, after the oxidative stress of stroke.