ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To assess the long-term results of directional atherectomy (DA) for femoropopliteal artery atherosclerotic lesions and to compare the results to those previously reported for percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight-four percutaneous DA procedures performed on 75 patients between July 1988 and August 1992 were retrospectively reviewed and evaluated for technical and initial clinical success. Long-term patency was assessed with a combination of ankle-brachial index measurements and angiography. RESULTS: Initial technical success was achieved in 77 of 84 procedures (92%). Follow-up of 72 patients was obtained, including 74 of the 84 (88%) DA procedures with a mean follow-up of 17.4 months (range 1-48 months). Primary patency was 78% at 1 year and 57% at 2 years. Patients with diabetes, complete luminal occlusion, or limb salvage situations had significantly lower patency. CONCLUSIONS: Femoropopliteal artery DA can be performed safely with a high technical and initial clinical success. Long-term patency is improved when compared with published series for PTA. With this improvement in mind, DA may have a place in the treatment of focal infrainguinal stenoses.
Subject(s)
Angioplasty, Balloon , Arteriosclerosis/therapy , Atherectomy , Femoral Artery , Popliteal Artery , Actuarial Analysis , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Arteriosclerosis/diagnostic imaging , Female , Femoral Artery/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Radiography , Retrospective Studies , Vascular PatencyABSTRACT
The magnetic resonance appearance of a confluent-type pulmonary varix is correlated with computed tomography and angiographic findings. This case demonstrates the usefulness of magnetic resonance in the evaluation of cardiovascular lesions.
Subject(s)
Lung/blood supply , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Varicose Veins/diagnosis , Aged , Humans , Lung/diagnostic imaging , Male , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Varicose Veins/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
A case of orbital varix is presented in which the lesion is well demonstrated by color flow Doppler sonography. Correlation is made with CT and MR studies. We believe that color flow sonography should be used as the initial screening test in cases of suspected orbital varix.
Subject(s)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Orbit/blood supply , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Varicose Veins/diagnosis , Aged , Female , Humans , Regional Blood Flow , Ultrasonography , Varicose Veins/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
This study was designed to test whether indomethacin given in drinking water attenuates the severity of the acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis induced in mice fed a choline-deficient ethionine diet (CDE), and improves their survival. Three doses of indomethacin were tested, 20, 10 and 5 mg of indomethacin/l of drinking water, and their effects on the histopathology of the pancreas and liver, serum amylase activity levels, and mortality were determined. Even though 20 and 10 mg/l suppressed pancreatic injury, and the accompanying shock-like state, the mice died due to indomethacin hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity was minimal at a dose of 5 mg/l, which resulted in preservation of significant amounts of normal pancreatic parenchyma, subsequent regeneration of acinar cells, and an increased survival of the mice. The results suggest that prostaglandins may play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis, and that indomethacin attenuates the severity of the induced disease.
