International angiology : a journal of the International Union of Angiology
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Biography Historical Article
Giacomini's observations on the superficial veins of the abdominal limb and principally the external saphenous.
Carlo Giacomini, later Professor of Anatomy at the University of Turin, Italy, presented a thesis on superficial and deep lower limb venous anatomy in July 1873. This resulted in his name being associated with a vein that he described in detail that passes up deep to the fascia on the back of the thigh. ⋯ Giacomini documented the several variations in the origin and terminations, and anterograde and retrograde flow in this vein that have only recently been rediscovered by duplex ultrasound scanning. Much can be learned from his descriptions by all who are involved in treating chronic venous disease.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The effect of pretreatment with ischaemic preconditioning or cromakalim on perfusion in skeletal muscle during ischaemia-reperfusion injury.
Ischaemia-induced damage of skeletal muscle may lead to side effects in orthopaedic and reconstructive surgery where tourniquet ischaemia is applied to ensure a bloodless operative field. In this study we investigated the effect of ischaemia-reperfusion injury with and without preconditioning by studying the skeletal muscle microcirculation. A further aim was to establish whether ischaemic preconditioning or pretreatment with cromakalim, a potassium channel opener reduces ischaemia-reperfusion injury. ⋯ This study supports the hypothesis that cromakalim reduces postischaemic skeletal muscle damage and reperfusion injury.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The home treatment of deep vein thrombosis with low molecular weight heparin, forced mobilisation and compression.
The aim of this prospective study was to analyse a group of patients with DVT (deep vein thrombosis) treated at home with LMWH (low-molecular weight heparin), compression and intensive mobilisation and to evaluate its feasibility, efficacy and safety from possible risks of pulmonary embolism. ⋯ Home treatment of DVT is possible and is effective, safe and less costly on average and per patient 40% in costs was saved compared with those of a hospital stay in spite of the greater expense of LMWH. The patients who received LMWH spent a mean of 1.2 days in the hospital, as compared with 12.7 days for the standard-heparin group.
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Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is the most common surgical procedure performed for the treatment of symptomatic carotid stenosis greater than 70%. Among the recognised complications, such as stroke and myocardial infarction, is injury to cranial nerves. ⋯ Patients manifesting symptoms of cranial nerve dysfunction should undergo a thorough otolaryngological evaluation and long-term follow-up. Most cranial nerve injuries are transient and result from trauma during dissection, retraction or carotid clamping. Knowledge of cranial nerve anatomy is essential if the surgeon is to avoid such injuries.
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Spinal cord stimulation improves microcirculatory blood flow, relieves diabetic neuropathic and ischaemic pain and reduces the amputation rate in patients with severe peripheral arterial occlusive disease. ⋯ A two-week testing period should be performed in all diabetic patients treated with spinal cord stimulation for peripheral arterial occlusive disease to identify the candidates for permanent implantation. Only diabetic patients with significant increases of TcPO2 and clinical improvement, during the test period, should be considered for permanent implantation and not merely all patients with pain relief. TcPO2 changes could be used as a predictive index of the therapy success and should be considered in terms of cost effectiveness before the final decision to permanent implantation.