Haemostatic factors and intraluminal thrombus thickness in abdominal aortic aneurysm. Is secondary fibrinolysis relevant?

Many circulating haemostatic markers have been investigated in relation to the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) size, growth as well as intraluminal thrombus (ILT) size. However, the results of these studies seem to be uncertain and inconsistent. The first aim of the present study was to compare the haemostatic parameters of fibrinolysis and some of thrombotic markers in patients with AAA and controls. We also examined the relationship between those parameters and both maximum aneurysm diameter and intraluminal thrombus thickness. Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), fibrinogen (Fb), D-dimer, prothrombin fragments 1 and 2 (F1+2), thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and lipids profile were measured in 36 patients with AAA and 30 controls. The mean maximum aortic diameter in patients with the AAA was 59±12 mm (range 42-100). The mean ILT thickness was 32±10 mm (range 8-56). Among haemostatic factors, t-PA and D-dimer levels, but not PAI-1, were significantly higher in subjects with the AAA. There was a strong positive correlation between thickness of intraluminal thrombus and maximum aneurysm size (r=0.69, p<0.0001), and the negative relationship between t-PA and ILT thickness (r= -0.53, p=0.001) as well as aneurysm diameter (r= -0.38, p=0.023). Higher plasma concentrations of t-PA and D-dimer support the hypothesis that the secondary fibrinolysis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the aortic abdominal aneurysm formation. In addition, the negative correlation between t-PA plasma level and ILT thickness suggests that thrombotic/fibrinolysis imbalance may favour accelerated formation of intraluminal thrombus and possibly aneurysm progression.

Assessment of treatment of Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) of shoulder joint in dogs--the results of two years of experience.

Osteochondrosis is a common and clinically important joint disorder that occurs in human and many species of animals such as pigs, horses and dogs. The aim of this article is to present the results of conservative and surgical treatment of Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) and to compare the recovery time in relation to race, age and extent of cartilage damage. The study was performed on 36 dogs of both sexes, aged from 4 to 24 months, weighing 12-70 kg, of different breeds (predisposed and non-specific for this disease). All patients underwent clinical, orthopedic and radiological examination through which the location of OCD changes in the shoulder joint and the degree of this problem were established. Based on the examinations the patients were qualified for particular treatment procedures. Control tests were performed after 14, 30 and 60 days, which allowed for a precise evaluation of the progress of therapy. Achieved results indicate that dogs age and the lesions extent in the shoulder joint have an impact on the outcome of treatment. Studies showed that the best therapeutic effects were obtained in dogs aged 6-10 months, which underwent surgery. The study proved that the early diagnosis of OCD strongly influence the recovery rate and may inhibit the development of degenerative changes in the joint (DJD).