Journal of vascular surgery
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We set out to assess the new Aberdeen Varicose Veins Questionnaire (Aberdeen Questionnaire) for the properties necessary for a valid measure of health outcome, to determine quality of life of patients with varicose veins, and to determine the effect of surgery on quality of life. ⋯ The Aberdeen Questionnaire is a valid measure of quality of life for patients with varicose veins. Persons with varicose veins have a reduced quality of life compared with the general population, and this discrepancy is significantly improved at 6 weeks by operating on them.
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We sought to determine the efficacy of antiplatelet therapy and oral anticoagulants in maintaining graft patency and preventing ischemic complications in patients after infrainguinal bypass surgery. ⋯ Antiplatelet therapy and oral anticoagulants reduce the risk of graft occlusion. Oral anticoagulant therapy appears to be the more effective treatment in high-risk patients. Data on the reduction of the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and death are inconclusive. Evidence for the beneficial effects of antiplatelet and oral anticoagulant therapy after infrainguinal bypass surgery is based on a small number of trials only. There is no proof as to which modality is the most effective in the prevention of graft occlusion and ischemic events in patients after infrainguinal bypass surgery, which is reason for a randomized comparison of aspirin with oral anticoagulants.
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The low invasiveness of endoluminal abdominal aneurysm repair (EAAR) appears optimal for the use of epidural anesthesia (EA). However, reported series on EAAR show that general anesthesia (GA) is generally preferred. To evaluate the feasibility and problems encountered with EA for EAAR, patients undergoing EAAR with EA and patients undergoing EAAR with GA were examined. ⋯ EA for EAAR is feasible in a high percentage of patients in whom it is attempted, and it ensures a technical outcome comparable with that of patients undergoing EAAR with GA. Successful completion of EAAR with EA is associated with a short period of hospitalization.