Treatment of anastomotic iliac pseudoaneurysm.
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Aged↗
Biomedical subjects
R Gandini
Publications and source records attributed to R Gandini.
Averaging of strongly varying signals.
Forces acting at the hip joint during a given activity often vary much between trials and subjects. Large variations are also encountered in many other biomechanical signals. Arithmetic mean curves then lead to falsified results, especially if extreme values occur at very different times. A method was developed for calculating a typical curve from such varying, time dependent signals. All cycle times are first averaged and the signals are then more and more smoothed using Fourier series with decreasing numbers of harmonics. The remaining extrema are analysed to decide whether they are typical for all curves or not. This is done by systematically cutting off a varying number of extrema at the beginning or end of all curves. After this an equal number of extrema remains in all curves. These extrema are then shifted to average positions in time, i.e. the times between consecutive extrema are compressed or expanded, and the standard deviation of all curves is calculated. The combination of cut off extrema which results in the smallest standard deviation is then used further on. The same time distortions are applied to the original curves and their arithmetic mean finally results in the typical signal. This procedure is well suited for averaging hip contact forces and other varying signals as long as their complexity and variation is not extremely large.
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip↗
[Embolization of the uterine artery in the treatment of uterine myoma].
PURPOSE: To propose uterine myoma embolization as an alternative to myomectomy or hysterectomy in the treatment of symptomatic myomas; to evaluate the efficacy of the procedure in terms of clinical outcome, adopting all procedural and technical precautions to ensure minimal X-ray exposure and preserve reproductive potential. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between April 1998 and February 2000, 26 patients, age range 32-54 years (mean 41 years), underwent uterine arterial embolization for menorrhagia, pelvic pain, and sensation of mass and pressure. Inclusion criteria were: single myomas, intramural localization and rich vascolarization of the lesion. Dose to patient was obtained by placing a thermoluminescent dosimeter (Harshaw, Solon, Ohio) both placed in posterior fornix of the vagina and on the skin at the beam entrance site. The procedure was performed under peridural anesthesia; polyvinil alcohol particles 355-500 mu (Contour) (Target Therapeutics, Boston Scientific Corporation, Fremont CA, USA) were employed as embolic agent. The uterine arteries were incannulated with a 5F (Glidecath, Terumo, Europe NV, Belgium) and successively 3F coaxial microcatheter (Target, Boston Scientific Corporation, Fremont CA, USA); the embolic material was injected as distally as possible. Color Power Doppler Ultrasound follow-up before and after i.v. contrast media administration (Levovist SHU 508 A, Shering, Berlin, Germany) was carried out at 15 days, at 1, at 3, at 6 months, and at 1 year from embolization. Pre-procedural evaluation and follow-up at 1 year was performed by MRI using T1 and T2 weighted images before and after Gadolinium (GdDTPA Shering, Berlin, Germany) administration. RESULTS: The technical success of the interventional procedure was 100% (26/26 cases). The mean fluoroscopy time was 20 minutes, and the mean number of angiographic exposures was 10. The mean estimated ovarian dose was 18.75 cGy and the mean adsorbed skin dose was 126.71 cGy. The imaging follow-up showed a 55% reduction of myoma volume at 6 months and a 75% reduction at 1 year. All patients reported a marked decrease in symptoms. No major complications were observed. The appearance of pelvic pain in the 24-48 hours after the procedure required sedation by analgesic pump; transitorial amenorrhea was observed in 3 patients. As for term complications, 2 patients have eliminated necrotic material through the vagina four weeks after procedure. The patients reported great satisfaction with the procedure. DISCUSSION: Many treatment options are currently available for symptomatic uterine myomas. One is surgical myomectomy which is associated with increased blood loss, pain and post operative morbidity and requires an additional surgical procedure for fibroma recurrence in 20-25% of patients. Another alternative treatment is hormonal therapy, which drammatically improves symptoms and reduces fibroid size although leiomyomas regrow to their original size within a few months of discontinuing treatment. Uterine embolization is a relatively new treatment for uterine fibroids that can be considered as an alternative to surgical and medical procedures. The radiation exposure adsorbed by the patient is reduced by using pulsed fluoroscopy and taking all the precautionary measures required to minimize the dose. CONCLUSIONS: The technical success, the patient' satisfation, the short hospitalization time and preservation of fertility confer to uterine artery embolization the role of a new alternative therapy for the treatment of symptomatic uterine myomas.
Adult↗
Late symptomatic venous stenosis in three hemodialysis patients without previous central venous catheters.
It is well known that catheters placed in the subclavian or internal jugular veins may develop stenosis in the vein in which the catheter lies. Because the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) relies on good venous outflow, patients with ipsilateral central venous stenosis are subject to the malfunctioning of AVF. Until now, no data were published on patients showing central vein stenosis (CVS) without a previous central venous catheter (CVC) or a pacemaker. In this article, we report on 3 hemodialysis patients manifesting CVS ipslateral to AVF. None of these patients previously had undergone CVC. The stenosis observed had characteristics and symptoms similar to those observed in stenoses consequent to CVC. We concluded that CVS also may occur in subclavian or axillary veins proximal to a working AVF in hemodialysis patients who have never had a CVC and in the absence of compressive phenomena.
Adult↗
Percutaneous ilio-caval thrombectomy with the Amplatz device: preliminary results.
The Amplatz Thrombectomy Device (ATD) is a percutaneous, rotational thrombectomy catheter, capable of recirculating and homogenizing the thrombus in order to obtain mechanical clot dissolution. The authors present their experience with mechanical thrombectomy with the ATD in eight cases of ilio-caval thrombosis. Under temporary caval filter protection, the ATD was introduced through the right transjugular approach (in one patient this was used in combination with the right femoral approach) and activated for a time ranging from 90 to 180 s. Complete clearing of thrombotic material in the treated venous segments was achieved in six cases (75 %), partial success was obtained in one case (12.5 %) and failure occurred in one patient (12.5 %). One patient developed a recurrence of venous iliac thrombosis 1 week after the procedure and postphlebitic syndrome 6 months after the first episode of deep venous thrombosis, and one patient died from acute myocardial infarction, unrelated to thrombectomy session, after 3 days. A negative clinical and radiological follow-up at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months was obtained in the remaining six patients. If a fresh free-floating ilio-caval clot must be removed immediately, the ATD can be effective under temporary filter protection.
Adult↗
[Breath-hold gadolinium enhanced tree-dimensional MR angiography: personal experience in the thoracic-abdominal area].
PURPOSE: To investigate different clinical applications of gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography (Gd MRA) using three-dimensional breath-hold GE sequences, without bolus time calculation, in patients with vascular diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients were examined (49 studies in all). Eleven of them had an abdominal aortic aneurysm, 6 surgical bypass, 7 renal artery stenosis, 3 aortoiliac Wallstent, 7 aortic stent-graft; 11 patients had a suspected condition in the thoracic aorta and pulmonary arteries, 1 had subclavian artery stenosis and 1 suspected axillary artery compression. All patients were submitted to breath-hold Gd MRA, after 30-40 mL Gd, with a 1.5 T magnet (Gyroscan ACS-NT, Philips, The Netherlands) and a standard body coil. The GE sequences were acquired with TR = 8.8, TE = 2.7, FA = 60 degrees, matrix = 163 x 512, with 28 seconds acquisition time. Digital subtraction angiography and intraoperative findings were the reference standards to evaluate the results. RESULTS: Thoracopulmonary district: metastatic compression of axillary vessels was found in 1 breast cancer patient; the true and the false lumens and the intimal flap were identified in 2 patients with chronic aortic dissection (Stanford A), and graft patency and complete resolution of the aortic dissection was seen in the patient operated on for acute aortic dissection (Stanford A). The thrombus, lumen, extent and diameter were studied in 2 patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms. Subclavian artery stenosis was demonstrated in 1 patient, which was treated with transluminal angioplasty and stenting. The other 6 patients had normal findings. Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA): as for disease extent, breath-hold Gd MRA had 100% sensitivity and specificity compared with surgical findings. Juxtarenal aneurysm extent, which had been missed at DSA, was detected in 1 patient and then confirmed at surgery. Stenosis: comparing DSA and MRA findings in the whole series of patients we had 97.4% agreement (155/159 arteries), that is 76.4% (13/17) arteries) considering only stenoses > 50%. Breath-hold Gd MRA sensitivity and specificity were 100 and 87.5%, respectively, in our 28 stenoses. Bypass, aortoiliac stent, vascular endograft: patency was demonstrated in all the 6 surgical bypass patients, and there was agreement with color Doppler findings in 5 of 6. Breath-hold Gd MRA seems to have no possible applications in the follow-up of percutaneously implanted iliac stents, but we had excellent findings about patency and position of nichel-titanium endografts used for AAA treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We optimized breath-hold 3D MRA without bolus transit time calculation and with high-dose Gd in different clinical vascular conditions. In our opinion, 3D GE sequences can replace DSA in selected cases, providing a fast, accurate and noninvasive examination.
Abdomen↗
[Deep vein thrombosis. Pharmacologic and mechanical thrombolysis].
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Fibrinolytic Agents↗
[Treatment of intrahepatic arteriovenous fistula after biopsy. Results in 5 chemoembolization candidates with hepatocarcinoma].
We report our experience in the treatment of post-bioptic intrahepatic arterioportal fistulas (HAPF) in 5 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated February, 1993, to May, 1995. In this retrospective study, we reviewed the imaging findings and clinical records of 3 men and 2 women (age range: 49-71 years) with HCC previously diagnosed with US, CT and biopsy. HAPF was detected by angiography (DSA) performed before chemoembolization (TACE). All HAPFs were referrable to biopsy (14-gauge Thru-Cut needle) and were treated with platinum coils positioned through coaxial catheters. TACE was performed immediately after or within a week of HAPF embolization. Therapeutic response after TACE was assessed on the basis of clinical and CT findings, while HAPF embolization success was assessed on the basis of DSA and color Doppler US findings. Reembolization was required in two patients--7 maneuvers in all in 5 patients. Complete HAPF occlusion was demonstrated in 4 patients during color Doppler follow-up and immediately after and at 13 and 24 months (in 2 patients) at DSA. Two of 5 patients died, one because of liver failure after 15 months' follow-up and the other because of complications related to liver transplantation at 11 months' follow-up. Of the extant 3 patients, one underwent liver transplantation and was followed-up for 25 months, while the other two are alive after 24 and 13 months, respectively. Our experience demonstrates that HAPF embolization in HCC patients is really useful for hemodynamic redistribution before TACE and to avoid further HAPF progression.
Aged↗
The effect of simvastatin on HDL cholesterol in hyperlipidemic patients. Evidence of a relationship with the changes in serum triglyceride level.
The main effect of simvastatin is the decrease of serum cholesterol due to the reduction of LDL. A decrease of serum triglycerides and an increase of HDL-C are commonly observed during the treatment. The reduction of triglycerides is accounted for by the increased catabolism of apo B-containing lipoproteins whereas the mechanisms bringing about the increase of HDL-C are still unknown. We treated 318 patients with primary hyperlipidemia (227 with phenotype IIa and 91 with phenotype IIb) with simvastatin 10 mg a day and after 6 weeks we found a mean 3% increase in HDL-C. HDL-C increased only in about half of the patients and the patients in whom HDL-C increased had baseline higher serum triglycerides and had a greater hypotriglyceridemic response than patients in whom HDL-C did not increase. Accordingly, HDL-C increased in type IIb patients who experienced a greater change in triglycerides than type IIa patients, in whom HDL-C did not increase significantly. Apo A-I levels did not change and apo A-I/HDL-C ratio significantly decreased. At a daily dose of 40 mg, administered to 51 treatment-resistant patients, simvastatin produced a marginally greater decrease in serum cholesterol and LDL-C, but not in serum triglycerides and HDL-C, than at the daily dose of 10 mg. An increase in HDL-C was associated with a reduction in serum triglycerides. The decrease in apo A-I/HDL-C ratio suggests that the increase in HDL-C after simvastatin must be regarded as an enrichment of the cholesterol core of HDL particles. The effect is likely to be due to the decrease of the serum concentration of VLDL bringing about a reduction of cholesterol transfer from apo A-I to apo B-containing lipoproteins.
Adult↗
Comparison of rhinomanometry, symptom score, and inflammatory cell counts in assessing the nasal late-phase reaction to allergen challenge.
Inspiratory nasal resistance, symptom score, and influx of inflammatory cells into the nose were evaluated before and after a nasal challenge in 15 patients with grass pollen rhinitis and in six nonallergic control subjects, to study the nasal late-phase reaction and its relationship with nasal cytology. All patients had an immediate positive reaction to specific nasal challenge. In seven allergic subjects we observed a later inspiratory nasal resistance increase, but only two had a significant late symptom score. Inflammatory cells increased by 8 hours in all the patients; the higher the cell influx, the higher the symptom score. Close correlations were found between the inspiratory nasal resistance increase, nasal obstruction at hours 8 and 24, and all cell counts. In control challenges there were no significant increases of symptom score or inspiratory nasal resistance either during the challenge or in the next 24 hours. A weakly significant increase was found only for neutrophil counts at 8 hours. These results indicate that an inflammatory reaction constantly occurs after a specific nasal challenge; its extent is closely related to inspiratory nasal resistance and to the intensity of nasal obstruction. Moreover, our data outline the pivotal role played by eosinophils and basophils in the genesis of an allergic late-phase reaction in the nose.
Adolescent↗
Italian multicenter study on the safety and efficacy of coenzyme Q10 as adjunctive therapy in heart failure. CoQ10 Drug Surveillance Investigators.
Digitalis, diuretics and vasodilators are considered the standard therapy for patients with congestive heart failure, for which treatment is tailored according to the severity of the syndrome and the patient profile. Apart from the clinical seriousness, heart failure is always characterized by an energy depletion status, as indicated by low intramyocardial ATP and coenzyme Q10 levels. We investigated safety and clinical efficacy of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) adjunctive treatment in congestive heart failure which had been diagnosed at least 6 months previously and treated with standard therapy. A total of 2664 patients in NYHA classes II and III were enrolled in this open noncomparative 3-month postmarketing study in 173 Italian centers. The daily dosage of CoQ10 was 50-150 mg orally, with the majority of patients (78%) receiving 100 mg/day. Clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated at the entry into the study and on day 90; the assessment of clinical signs and symptoms was made using from two-to seven-point scales. The results show a low incidence of side effects: 38 adverse effects were reported in 36 patients (1.5%) of which 22 events were considered as correlated to the test treatment. After three months of test treatment the proportions of patients with improvement in clinical signs and symptoms were as follows: cyanosis 78.1%, oedema 78.6%, pulmonary rales 77.8%, enlargement of liver area 49.3%, jugular reflux 71.81%, dyspnoea 52.7%, palpitations 75.4%, sweating 79.8%, subjective arrhytmia 63.4%, insomnia 662.8%, vertigo 73.1% and nocturia 53.6%. Moreover we observed a contemporary improvement of at least three symptoms in 54% of patients; this could be interpreted as an index of improved quality of life.
Administration, Oral↗
[Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS): indications and results after 22 months of experience].
December 1991 through November 1993, fifty-five patients underwent TIPS with the following indications: failed sclerotherapy or surgery (25 patients), bleeding from gastric varices (3 patients), patients waiting for liver transplantation (11 patients) and refractory ascites (9 patients). Seven patients were included in a randomized TIPS vs sclerotherapy trial. The average follow-up of living patients is 4.6 months (range: 1-16 months). The technical success rate was 100%. The portosystemic gradient decreased from 22 mmHg to 10.7 mmHg. After TIPS all patients were followed-up with endoscopic, angiographic and color Doppler examinations and underwent periodic clinical checks. Early (5-day) angiographic follow-up exams showed partial stent thrombosis in 5/32 cases (15.5%) and complete stent thrombosis in 3 cases (9.3%). Late angiographic follow-up exams (1-9 months) showed complete stent occlusion in 2 cases, stent stenosis in 8 cases and hepatic vein stenosis in 5 cases. At present, 37 patients are alive (67%); 5 patients have undergone liver transplantation (9%), and 13 patients died (24%)--3 within 48-72 hours after the procedure and 10 in 1-8 months. Five patients had recurrent bleeding (9%). Ascites was reduced or disappeared in 8/9 cases. Early clinical complications occurred in 12% of cases and were treated with medical therapy. Within one year, signs of encephalopathy developed in 13 patients (23%) and were successfully treated with medical therapy.
Adult↗
Fluorescence-determined kinetics of plasma high oxidability in diabetic patients.
The peroxidative potential of whole plasma was studied in thirteen control subjects and twenty-three diabetic patients divided into two groups on the basis of their metabolic control, defined as good (n = 12) or poor (n = 11) according to the fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin and fructosamine levels. The amounts of thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) were determined before and after an exhaustive peroxidation induced by incubation with cupric sulfate; the kinetics of Cu-dependent plasma peroxidation, determined by the time course of endogenous fluorescence emission at 430 nm, were also evaluated. Our data indicate that in diabetic patients, and particularly in those with a long-lasting poor metabolic control, a significant increase in plasma susceptibility to peroxidative stress is evident only when we consider the lag-time of fluorescence emission in the course of Cu-induced plasma peroxidation. A good inverse correlation was observed between the lag-time and the blood glucose concentration, the glycated hemoglobin and the fructosamine blood levels. Furthermore a multivariate analysis, performed by Principal Component Analysis, strongly supports the relation between the extent and duration of the diabetic pathology, and the decrease in the lag-time of oxidation.
Aged↗
Italian multicenter study on the safety and efficacy of coenzyme Q10 as adjunctive therapy in heart failure (interim analysis). The CoQ10 Drug Surveillance Investigators.
Digitalis, diuretics, and vasodilators are considered standard therapy for patients with congestive heart failure, for which treatment is tailored according to the severity of the syndrome and the patient profile. Apart from the clinical seriousness, heart failure is always characterized by an energy depletion status, as indicated by low intramyocardial ATP and coenzyme Q10 levels. We investigated safety and clinical efficacy of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) adjunctive treatment in congestive heart failure, which had been diagnosed at least 6 months previously and treated with standard therapy. A total of 2500 patients in NYHA classes II and III were enrolled in this open noncomparative 3-month postmarketing drug surveillance study in 173 Italian centers. The daily dose of CoQ10 was 50-150 mg orally, with the majority of patients (78%) receiving 100 mg/day. Clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated at the entry into the study and on day 90; the assessment of clinical signs and symptoms was made using from two- to seven-point scales. Preliminary results on 1113 patients (mean age 69.5 years) show a low incidence of side effects: 10 adverse reactions were reported in 8 (0.8%) patients, of which only 5 reactions were considered as correlated to the test treatment. After 3 months of test treatment the proportions of patients with improvement in clinical signs and symptoms were as follows: cyanosis 81%, edema 76.9%, pulmonary rales 78.4%, enlargement of the liver area 49.3%, jugular reflux 81.5%, dyspnea 54.2%, palpitations 75.7%, sweating 82.4%, arrhythmia 62%, insomnia 60.2%, vertigo 73%, and nocturia 50.7%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Aged↗
[Metallic stents in benign biliary stenosis. A four-year follow-up].
From October 1988 to September 1989, 29 self-expanding biliary metallic stents were positioned in 18 patients with recurrent benign biliary strictures, who were no longer candidates to surgical repair and did not respond to percutaneous balloon dilatation. "Z" stent were used in 17 patients and a Wallstent in one case. At four years' follow-up (range: 39-50, average: 46 months), 10 patients remain asymptomatic, without signs of bile stasis (55.5%), five patients had recurrence of symptoms and were subsequently retreated (27.7%) and three patients died from severe underlying diseases, two of them with stent obstruction, one without signs of bile stasis. Recurrences were caused by stent obstruction in three cases. At four years' follow-up the overall patency rate is 68.7%. According to the type of stricture treated, patency is 100% in the group of patients with single CBD stenosis and in the patients with single anastomotic strictures, whereas in all patients with multiple or complicated strictures the stents completely occluded within 4-22 months.
Adult↗
Effects of slow release bezafibrate on the lipid pattern and on blood glucose of type 2 diabetic patients with hyperlipidaemia.
Ninety-eight type 2 diabetic patients with hyperlipidaemia in stable metabolic control with diet alone (41) or diet plus hypoglycaemic agents (57) were divided into two groups: group 1 was put on treatment with slow release bezafibrate 400 mg a day, while group 2 was considered as control. In group 1, after 1 month of bezafibrate, serum triglycerides fell by 47% and cholesterol by 13%. HDL cholesterol showed a non-significant trend toward an increase. Fasting blood glucose significantly decreased by 6%, fructosamine and glycated haemoglobin by 5%. During OGTT, the area under the curve of both serum C-peptide and blood glucose showed a trend toward a decrease after bezafibrate. However, the difference did not reach statistical significance. Thirty-six patients continued the treatment with the drug for 4 months and 23 for 8 months, without further changes of the lipid pattern and glycaemic control. In the control group no significant variation of the lipid levels occurred and diabetic control slightly worsened during the study. Bezafibrate has been proved to be effective in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia in type 2 diabetic patients. The drug seems moreover to improve glycaemic control. The mechanism by which bezafibrate produces this latter effect remains to be elucidated, though an increase of peripheral insulin sensitivity might be suggested.
Aged↗
First dose and steady state pharmacokinetics of nimesulide and its 4-hydroxy metabolite in healthy volunteers.
The pharmacokinetics of nimesulide (4-nitro-2-phenoxymethane-sulfonanilide, NMS), a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug, and of its 4-hydroxy metabolite (4-nitro-2-(4'-hydroxy-phenoxy)-methane sulfonanilide, OH-NMS) was studied after a single oral dose (200 mg) and after repeated treatments (100 mg every 12 hours for 7 days) of NMS to two groups of 12 healthy volunteers. Plasma concentrations of NMS and OH-NMS were followed for 48 hours after the single dose and up to the 12th hour on the 1st day and on the 7th day during repeated treatment. After the single dose of 200 mg peak plasma concentrations of the drug (9.85 micrograms/ml) were reached at 3.17 hours and the half-life during the elimination phase was 4.95 hours. The metabolite reached highest plasma levels (3.03 micrograms/ml) at 5.33 hours and its apparent half-life was similar to that of the parent drug (4.78 hours). NMS plasma levels on the 7th day, predicted from the results of the 1st day, were similar to the measured values. The pharmacokinetics of NMS or OH-NMS after single or repeated dose was not time or dose dependent.
Adult↗
Axillary versus peripheral blood levels of sialic acid, ferritin, and CEA in patients with breast cancer.
Serum levels of total sialic acid, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine phosphokinase were measured both in tumor drainage blood (axillary vein) and in peripheral blood obtained from 121 breast cancer patients during surgery. No significant differences between mean values in peripheral and tumor draining blood, between cancer patients and healthy controls, or between patients with or without axillary lymph node metastases were found for any of the markers. Both ferritin and CEA levels were higher in axillary and peripheral blood from patients with central breast cancer versus other sites but the difference was significant only for CEA (p less than 0.05). CEA levels were significantly higher (p less than 0.01) in patients with greater than 2 cm diameter carcinomas versus T1 stage patients in axillary but not in peripheral blood. When the cephalic vein was clamped before the axillary sample was taken, ferritin showed a significant increase (p less than 0.05). We conclude that measurement of sialic acid, CEA, and ferritin in axillary venous blood in breast cancer patients is not of clinical benefit, although further data are needed to clarify whether other advantages can be derived.
Adult↗