International angiology : a journal of the International Union of Angiology
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Multicenter Study
A survey of contemporary opinions and practices of surgical and intensive care specialists towards peri-operative venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in Asia.
This survey was conducted to determine the opinions and practices of peri-operative venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis among surgical and intensive care specialists in Asia. ⋯ Despite the availability of strong epidemiological data, randomized controlled trials and multicentre case-controlled studies, perioperative VTE prophylactic practices are still suboptimal in Asia.
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Comparative Study
Contrast enhanced ultrasound in atherosclerotic carotid artery disease.
The traditional morphological parameters for the description of a carotid atherosclerotic plaque (degree of stenosis, echogenicity, systolic peak velocity etc.) are insufficient for the prediction of the risk of embolization. Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), based on the theory of inflammation and neoangiogenesis, seems to have a great potential for the detection of unstable plaques. The purpose of our work was to compare echogenicity of the plaque (evaluated with the Grey Scale Median; GSM), the degree of stenosis and CEUS with the histopathological findings. ⋯ The study confirms that in vitro neoangiogenesis, contrast enhancement and stability of the plaque are strongly connected and CEUS appears to be one of the most promising tools for the stratification of the carotid plaque vulnerability.
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Review Meta Analysis
Comparison of efficacy and safety of dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban in patients with atrial fibrillation using network meta-analysis.
A network meta-analysis of the three new oral anticoagulants was performed from the three trials comparing dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban with warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation. ⋯ All-cause mortality was not different for any agent or regimen. In the absence of head-to-head comparisons, this network meta-analysis suggests that apixaban and dabigatran 110 mg bid may offer the best benefit-risk balance for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Dabigatran 150 mg bid may be preferred for patients with a high risk for embolism.
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Comparative Study
A single-centre experience of the treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms: clinical and anatomic characteristics of open versus endovascular repair.
The treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms is a constant challenge for vascular surgeons and can be achieved either by endovascular repair or by an open surgical technique. Endovascular repair presents a higher 30-day survival rate. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and anatomical characteristics and the outcomes of these two treatment techniques. ⋯ When certain anatomical characteristics are present and the hemodynamic condition of the patient allows it, endovascular treatment appears to be associated with better survival rates, both 30-day and overall.
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Comparative Study
Influence of preoperative medical assessment prior to elective endovascular aneurysm repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm.
The aim of this study was to compare preoperative patient evaluation by a vascular physician with a standardized workup protocol prior to elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), in terms of differences in patient medication and mortality. ⋯ Preoperative assessment by a vascular physician resulted in lower costs and improvement of medication against atherosclerosis, uncontrolled hypertension and perioperative ischemic cardiac events, but mortality was unaffected.