Journal of vascular surgery
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Comparative Study
Continuous electroencephalographic monitoring and selective shunting reduces neurologic morbidity rates in carotid endarterectomy.
The role of continuous electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring during carotid endarterectomy was evaluated in this retrospective review. ⋯ The overall neurologic morbidity rate was significantly lower in the EEG group than in the non-EEG group, therapy demonstrating the value of intraoperative EEG monitoring in carotid endarterectomy.
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The goal of this study was to determine the effects of vasopressin and the selective V2-receptor agonist desmopressin on human saphenous veins, with special emphasis on endothelium-mediated responses. ⋯ These observations indicate that vasopressin exerts contractile effects on human saphenous vein by V1-receptor stimulation. Vasopressin causes dilatation of human saphenous vein only if V1-receptor blockade is present. This relaxation appears to be mediated by the release of relaxant prostaglandins, probably derived from endothelial cells, and is independent of V2-receptor stimulation or release of nitric oxide. Desmopressin elicits relaxation that is largely dependent on V2-receptor stimulation, which may bring about the release of dilating prostaglandins from the endothelial cells.
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Baker's cysts mimicking the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis: diagnosis with venous duplex scanning.
The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and characteristics of Baker's cysts discovered during venous duplex examinations to rule out deep vein thrombosis (DVT). ⋯ The presentation of DVT and that of a Baker's cyst are similar enough to be difficult to distinguish by clinical examination. Careful examination of the popliteal fossa should be performed during venous duplex examinations regardless of the indication for the study.
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The purpose of this study was to validate the commonly accepted indicators of risk of ischemic stroke that indicate the necessity for cerebral protection during carotid endarterectomy (CEA), and to examine the efficacy of high-dose thiopentone sodium (thiopental) as a cerebral protection method in patients who are at high risk of intraoperative ischemic stroke. ⋯ The absence of neurologic deficit in the study indicated that thiopental protection was effective in preventing ischemic stroke in high-risk patients and safely replaced intraluminal shunting.
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Arterial allografts are used in vascular surgery to solve a major problem: vascular reconstruction in the infected area. To palliate the unavailability and to reduce the risk of viral disease transmission, vascular allografts are currently cryopreserved and stored in tissue banks. In our recent clinical experience, we observed several cases of rupture and degeneration of cryopreserved arterial allografts. All indications are that current cryopreservation protocols are probably the cause for these degenerations.