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Biomedical subjects

A Creutzig

Publications and source records attributed to A Creutzig.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Changes of dermal haemoglobin oxygenation and concentration in healthy subjects and in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease during and after acute ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Oxygen saturation (SHB) and concentration (CHB) of dermal haemoglobin play an important role in the nutrition of the skin. In patients with severe peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) they are reduced at the forefoot. We investigated the changes of the named parameters during an acute ischemia and during reactive hyperemia using an occlusion test. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Dermal reflection spectra were conducted from the forefoot of 11 healthy subjects and 39 patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease of various stages at rest, during, and after an arterial occlusion at the thigh. Using a multicomponent analysis SHB and CHB were calculated iteratively. The halftime of the post-occlusive increase of SHB (post-occlusive recovery halftime PORHT) and the relation of post- to pre-occlusive CHB (post-occlusive reactive hyperemia PORH) were calculated to estimate the dynamic of the post-occlusive inflow of blood. TcPO2 (37 degrees C) was additionally determined at the forefoot. RESULTS: In patients from stage III and IV all resting values were lower compared to controls. TcPO2 decreased in all persons to 0 mm Hg during the occlusion, SHB was between 0 and 10%, while CHB remained unchanged. In healthy subjects and in patients with claudication the post-occlusive values exceeded the preocclusive ones, while in some patients with higher stages of the disease this could not be found. There was a marked, on the stage of the disease depending difference in the post-occlusive course between controls and patients: in healthy subjects it took only 5.5 +/- 4.8 s until SHB reached half of the maximum value, in patients from the stage IIa group 26.8 +/- 16.9 s (p < 0.001) was measured while in stage III and IV the value was 132 +/- 75 s (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: During ischemia a decrease of the haemoglobin oxygen saturation (SHB) and tcPO2 was found. Haemoglobin concentration (CHB) remained constant, hence a significant shift of blood from skin to muscle did not take place. PORHT was selectively dependent on the stage of the disease. The occlusion manoeuvre enhances the significance of reflection photometry in PAOD.

Adult↗

Nailfold capillaroscopy and laser Doppler fluxmetry for evaluation of Raynaud's phenomenon: how valid is the local cooling test?

BACKGROUND: Since there is a need for an objective parameter of microcirculation in follow-up of patients with Raynaud's syndrome we evaluated the reproducibility of the reaction to a cold exposure test with nailfold capillaroscopy and laser Doppler fluxmetry during a winter period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 10 healthy subjects and 16 patients with primary Raynaud's syndrome were evaluated with nailfold capillaroscopy and laser Doppler fluxmetry of the finger tips during and after a standardized cold exposure stress test. The measurements were repeated in the controls within 2 weeks, in the patient population twice within 24 weeks. RESULTS: In the healthy controls the percentage of capillaries with flow stop was stable (r = 0.785) and the duration of flow stop was reproducible (r = 0.993). Both parameters were significantly lower in controls than in the patients. The flow stop durations in patients varied intra-individually to a great extent between the different weeks without any significant correlation. For all calculated laser Doppler perfusion and time parameters we did not find any significant differences between controls and patients nor any consistent correlations in the intra-individual comparison within the different weeks for both, controls and patients. CONCLUSION: Nailfold capillaroscopy during cold exposure is able to discriminate between healthy persons and patients with primary Raynaud's syndrome, but seems to be of minor value for follow-up evaluation of patients because of intraindividual variations. Laser Doppler fluxmetry is invalid for both purposes when using the applied cold exposure test.

Adult↗

[Cellular mechanisms of endothelial endothelin synthesis].

Endothelin-1 is a vasoactive peptide produced by endothelial cells. Endothelin-1 exerts potent vasoconstrictory effects upon vascular smooth muscle cells, and it may play a role in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis and ischemic conditions. Besides the investigation of its biological effects, knowledge about cellular mechanisms of the synthesis, signal transduction pathway(s) and receptor-mediated actions on target cells is mandatory for the development of pharmacological strategies in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. In this review cellular mechanisms of endothelial endothelin-1 synthesis and release are discussed.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

[Physiology and pathophysiology of the endothelin system in cardiovascular diseases].

The endothelins are a family of potent vasoconstrictors and mitogenic agents. Since the isolation of ET-1 in 1988 the worldwide scientific research interest has mushroomed, resulting in considerable knowledge about molecular biology, biochemistry and pharmacological actions of these peptides. A body of evidence has parallelly emerged pointing to their role in some physiological phenomena as well as in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. The future therapeutic use of anti-endothelin strategies may offer clinical benefit in many of these conditions.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

[Angiology update].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

L-arginine induces nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation in patients with critical limb ischemia. A randomized, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: L-Arginine is the precursor of endogenous nitric oxide (NO), which is a potent vasodilator acting via the intracellular second-messenger cGMP. In healthy humans, L-arginine induces peripheral vasodilation and inhibits platelet aggregation due to an increased NO production. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) induces peripheral vasodilation via stimulating prostacyclin receptors. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated the effects of one intravenous infusion of L-arginine (30 g, 60 minutes) or PGE1 (40 microgram, 60 minutes) versus those of placebo (150 mL 0.9% saline, 60 minutes) on blood pressure, peripheral hemodynamics, and urinary NO3- and cGMP excretion rates in patients with critical limb ischemia (peripheral arterial occlusive disease stages Fontaine III or IV). Blood flow in the femoral artery was significantly increased by L-arginine (+42.3 +/- 7.9%, P<.05) and by PGE1 (+31.0 +/- 10.2%, P<.05) but not by placebo (+4.3 +/- 13.0%, P=NS). Urinary NO3- excretion increased by 131.8 +/- 39.5% after L-arginine (P<.05) but only by 32.3 +/- 17.2% after PGE1 (P=NS). Urinary cGMP excretion increased by 198.7 +/- 84.9% after L-arginine (P<.05) and by 94.2 +/- 58.8% after PGE1 (P=NS). Both urinary index metabolites were unchanged by placebo. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that intravenous L-arginine induces NO-dependent peripheral vasodilation in patients with critical limb ischemia. These effects are paralleled by increased urinary NO3- and cGMP excretion, indicating an enhanced systemic NO production. Increased urinary NO3- excretion may be a sum effect of NO synthase substrate provision (L-arginine) and increased shear stress (PGE1 and L-arginine).

Aged↗

A new method for the assessment of tissue hemoglobin oxygenation in patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

Venous incompetence often leads to ulceration of the skin of the lower limb due to a disturbance of skin microcirculation. We investigated 10 healthy subjects and 18 patients with chronic venous insufficiency by means of a fast scanning reflection photometer and determined noninvasively the hemoglobin oxygen saturation (S(HB)) and the relative concentration of hemoglobin (C(HB)) in the skin of the forefoot and at the calf, 10 cm proximal of the inner malleolus during positional changes. In supine position no significant differences were found. During sitting and standing S(HB) dropped and was significantly lower in patients at both locations (calf, standing, patients 22.2 +/- 10.6% vs controls 48.2 +/- 13.5%, P < 0.001). C(HB) increased in patients during standing from 0.71 to 2.13 +/- 0.33 aU (in controls from 0.69 to 1.49 +/- 0.28 aU, P < 0.001). Activation of the muscle pump decreased C(HB) and increased S(HB) in patients and in controls. After the movements were stopped, S(HB) decreased again and fell to the initial low values eight times faster in patients (7.4 +/- 5.3 vs 57.5 +/- 19.6 sec, P < 0.001). C(HB) increased four times faster in patients (7.2 +/- 6.1 vs 29.9 +/- 13.6 sec). In sitting and standing positions hemoglobin oxygenation in the skin of the lower limb was markedly reduced in patients, but normal perfusion conditions were restored in supine position, indicating reversibility of the changes. Reflection oxymetry seems a valuable tool for the assessment of chronic venous insufficiency. The substantially reduced oxygenation of dermal hemoglobin in standing patients may contribute to the development of venous ulcers.

Adult↗

Orthostatic vasoconstrictor response in patients with occlusive arterial disease assessed by laser Doppler flux and transcutaneous oximetry.

Posturally induced microvascular constriction normally causes a decrease of transcutaneous oxygen pressure (tcPO2) and laser Doppler flux (LDF) measured on the forefoot at 37 degrees C. The authors used both methods to assess the vasoconstrictor response (VCR) in 31 patients with various degrees of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) and analyzed factors that could have influenced the response. Disturbed VCR was indicated by a signal increase following leg dependency, which occurred significantly more often in tcPO2 than in LDF measurements (69% vs 32%, P < 0.001). Correspondingly the median sitting/supine ratio was 2.4 for tcPO2 and 0.7 for LDF (P < 0.0001). Age and clinical stage had no influence on the VCR. With ankle artery pressures below 50 mmHg an increase of LDF was more probable. TcPO2 predominantly increased with ankle artery pressure up to 100 mmHg, though the sitting/supine ratio of tcPO2 was correlated with ankle artery pressure. In nondiabetics the response of tcPO2 but not of LDF was influenced by the values at rest. Differences between the two methods may be explained in part by their different sample volumes. The authors assume that tcPO2 is predominantly monitoring a local myogenic response while LDF is reflecting venoarteriolar response.

Adult↗

Severe Raynaud's syndrome associated with interferon therapy. A case history.

Side effects of long-term interferon (IFN) therapy for myeloproliferative disorders may be vasospastic Raynaud's attacks and lupus-like illness. The authors report on a woman with chronic myelogenous leukemia who experienced severe trophic lesions of the fingers after forty-nine months of IFN therapy. Digital artery occlusions could be proven arteriographically.

Angiography↗

Untreated arteriovenous fistula after World War II trauma.

A 76-year-old-patient with severe congestive heart failure due to femoral arteriovenous fistula (AVF) after World War II trauma is presented. He was admitted to our clinic because of increasing dyspnea and vertigo during the last years. Moreover he suffered from chronic venous insufficiency on the lower limb distal of the fistula. History revealed a bullet trauma sustained 50 years ago in 1945 while riding on a train that was taken under fire. In 1973 diagnosis of traumatic AVF was first established by arteriography but the patient did not undergo surgical repair. Actual diagnostic procedure included colour Doppler imaging, chest x-ray, and echocardiography. The patient refused invasive treatment, but drug therapy of congestive heart failure was accepted.

Aged↗

[Development of an illness-specific instrument for assessment of quality of life in patients with arterial occlusive disease (Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease 86 Questionnaire)].

Impairment in health-related quality of life in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) are well-known to clinicians, but due to the lack of disease specific assessment instruments, have not been systematically investigated. We describe the development and psychometric testing of a 86-items patient-based questionnaire for the assessment of the quality of life in PAOD containing 7 dimensions: functional status, pain, symptoms, mood, disease related anxiety, social life and treatment evaluation. The questionnaire was included along with standard questionnaires in a prospective study with 308 patients suffering from PAOD in Fontaine stages I to IV before and one week into treatment. Psychometric testing pertained to reliability (internal consistency, retest), validity (convergent, discriminant) and sensitivity (treatment-related change over time). In addition patient acceptance of the questionnaire was assessed. Psychometric testing yield exellent results regarding scale structure and reliability of the newly developed questionnaire. Validity was reflected in high correlations with standard generic questionnaires and in discriminating in quality of life between patients according to disease severity. The sensitivity was reflected in improved quality of life ratings in patients with improved treadmill performance. Patients needed 20 minutes for responding and rated the questionnaire to be easily understandable and not exhausting. These results show that the newly developed PAVK-86 questionnaire is a reliable, valid and sensitive instrument for the assessment of quality of life in patients with arterial occlusive disease which can be used in clinical studies, epidemiological research and quality assurance programs.

Activities of Daily Living↗

[Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia with hepatic involvement and including gastric vessels. A case report].

Hereditary hemorrhagic teleangiectasia (HHT) (Osler-Weber-Rendu-disease) is characterized by a combination of muccocutaneous vascular malformations with recurrent spontaneous bleeding and a familiar predisposition. Among visceral manifestations of this disease are only a few descriptions of hepatic involvement. We describe a 53-year-old woman with HHT whose first symptoms of hypercirculatory heart failure developed 1.5 years before the final diagnosis of HHT. We measured a heart-time-volume of 14-151/min. by echocardiography and a flow-volume of 5-9 l/min. in the proper hepatic artery by dopplersonography on admission. We were able to demonstrate multiple intra- and extra-hepatic and gastric arteriovenous malformations by arteriography. Branches of the proper hepatic artery and the left gastric artery were embolized in three serial sessions. By this procedure we were able to reduce the flow-volume in the proper hepatic artery from 5-9l/min. to 1.5l/min. and the heart-time-volume to a minimum of 9.8l/min. and thus stop progression of the hyperdynamic heart failure.

Angiography↗

[Quality of life in peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Multicenter study of quality of life characteristics with a newly developed disease-specific questionnaire].

AIM: Owing to a lack of disease-specific measuring instruments, no systematic investigations of the impairment of the quality of life in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) have so far been possible. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to develop an appropriate questionnaire and to submit it to a psychometric test in a sufficiently large number of patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A disease-specific questionnaire comprising 86 individual items was developed (PAVK 86) and was tested in a longitudinal study involving 308 patients with confirmed peripheral arterial occlusive disease, Fontaines's stages I to IV. At the same time, three established generic questionnaires were also employed (SF 36, NHP, Every Day Life). RESULTS: Analysis showed that, in comparison with a normal population, the quality of life in patients with PAOD is considerably impaired, in particular by pain, anxiety, general complaints and reduced physical mobility and performance, and is comparable with that of patients suffering from renal carcinoma. In Fontaine's stage III and IV, the quality of life is significantly more greatly impaired than in patients with stage II disease. No differences in quality of life were to be found between Fontaine's stages III and IV. The psychometric test revealed that the PAVK 86 questionnaire is a sensitive, reliable, valid and practicable measuring instrument. CONCLUSION: The PAVK 86 questionnaire is suitable for determining the course and outcome of therapeutic measures on the quality of life of PAOD patients, and can therefore be included in clinical studies. In addition, its use in combination with established generic questionnaires also permits a comparison with age-matched healthy control groups, and is thus also of importance for the assessment of aspects of health economics.

Activities of Daily Living↗