J Cardiovasc Surg
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During 18 months' period of war in northeastern Croatia 38 wounded with injuries of lower extremity arteries were operated on in Osijek Department of Surgery demanding the use of substitute conduit for vascular reconstruction; 26 synthetic prosthesis and 12 vein grafts were applied. Ankle-brachial index and life-table method were used for the construction of the initial and cumulative limb salvage rate at 40 months. Cumulative graft patency and limb salvage rates for synthetic grafts was 87.67% +/- 6.9 and for vein grafts 91.67% +/- 8.0 respectively and did not differ significantly for both synthetic prosthesis and autologous vein grafts.
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Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is frequently associated with hemodynamic disorders caused by a whole blood inflammatory response. In particular vasoplegic syndrome occurs in the immediate postoperative time of patients who underwent normothermic CPB. Nitric oxide (NO) was described as an endothelium derived relaxing factor (EDRF). We report changes in NO concentration occurred in patients who experienced vasoplegic syndrome following CPB. ⋯ NO plays a role in the CPB-related hemodynamic disorders. Use of NO synthase inhibitors could provide a better management of vasoplegic phenomenon following CPB.
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Marker bands that cast dense shadow on X-ray are placed at crucial points on a catheter (for example on a peripheral angioplasty catheter on either side of the balloon) so that those parts of the catheter can be guided inside the body by X-ray. For catheter guidance by ultrasound, an ultrasound sensor in the mid-balloon region of an angioplasty catheter is integrated to the scanhead of an ultrasound scanner, via a catheter system interface (CSI). ⋯ This allows accurate catheter guidance using ultrasound. This paper describes the principles of ultrasound guidance of catheters and the initial clinical experience using this new catheter system (Echomark) in carrying out peripheral transluminal angioplasty.