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Biomedical subjects

W A Lewis

Publications and source records attributed to W A Lewis.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Strecker stents in the femoropopliteal arteries: value of duplex ultrasonography in restenosis assessment.

PURPOSE: Experience with Strecker stent implantation in the femoropopliteal arteries has been described; however, few of the reports were prospective studies, and none routinely used site-specific assessment methods for follow-up evaluation of stent patency. The purpose of this study was to evaluate 1-year Strecker stent patency using duplex ultrasound imaging to obtain a more precise delineation of stent restenosis than is possible with other noninvasive assessment modalities. METHODS: A prospective study involved 52 patients with 57 sites treated by angioplasty and Strecker stent deployment in the femoropopliteal arteries. Assessment included clinical evaluation; ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurements at rest and after exercise; and duplex ultrasound imaging preprocedurally and at 3 and 12 months after the intervention. RESULTS: All 74 stents were deployed successfully in the 35 occluded arteries and 22 stenotic lesions. Acute reocclusion occurred in 6 (10%). At 3 months, primary patency was 81% and secondary patency 84%. Mean ( +/- SD) ABIs increased from 0.64 +/- 0.15 at rest and 0.32 +/- 0.17 after exercise to 0.89 +/- 0.14 and 0.68 +/- 0.23, respectively (p < 0.0001). At 12 months, primary patency was 79%, and secondary patency was 82%. Mean ABIs were 0.82 +/- 0.15 at rest and 0.52 +/- 0.22 after exercise at 12 months (p < 0.0002 compared with preprocedural ABIs). Analysis of the length of lesion treated showed betted results with shorter diseased segments, but this was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Better outcomes were also obtained when one stent was used rather than two stents at 12 months (p = 0.15), but there was no difference at 3 months (p = 0.3). Thirty-four percent of the stented segments progressed from < 20% stenosis at 3 months to > 50% stenosis at 12 months. Overall, 19 (43%) of 44 segments progressed from < 50% stenosis at 3 months to a > 50% stenosis at 12 months. Restenosis seen at 3 months generally was in the native artery just proximal or distal to the stent, but at 12 months, restenosis was mainly inside the stent. CONCLUSIONS: Strecker stents at 1-year demonstrated satisfactory patency in the femoropopliteal arteries when deployed for angioplasty salvage or recurrent disease. The 3- and 12-month evaluations obtained with duplex ultrasound provided site-specific hemodynamic data for stent assessment. Resting ankle pressures were a poor index of restenosis.

Aged↗

The Westmead Head Injury Project. Physical and social outcomes following severe head injury.

This study reports the physical outcomes of 181 survivors of severe head injury [Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) 8 or less] following aggressive head injury management which included early triage, evacuation and resuscitation, the use of ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit and intracranial pressure (ICP) measurement and control. At the conclusion of the study period of 2 years after the head injury, 71% had achieved a Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) of 1, 17% GOS 2, 10% GOS 3 and 2% GOS 4. Physical recovery continued during the 2 years. Locomotor independence was achieved in 93% despite a motor disorder in 59%. About 90% were considered independent for basic life functions, e.g. feeding, bathing, dressing or toileting. Speech disorders were present in 19%. A return to an occupation, either a job or studies, at or below the pre-morbid level was achieved in 68%. Most patients were cared for at home by family or relatives. The majority of patients make a reasonable physical recovery following severe head injury with independence in locomotion and basic life skills. It was our impression that the neuropsychological sequelae of cognitive and behavioural disorders were a major impediment to re-assimilation into society.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Recurrent varicose veins. Part 2: Injection of incompetent perforating veins using ultrasound guidance.

Treatment options following duplex evaluation of recurrent varicose veins are discussed and a method of injecting incompetent perforating veins using ultrasound guidance is described. The results of duplex evaluation 6 months postinjection using this technique are presented. These early results indicate that sclerosant injection employing ultrasound guidance is an effective and safe method of treating incompetent perforating veins.

Adult↗

Recurrent varicose veins. Part 1: Evaluation utilizing duplex venous imaging.

There is the need to develop a universally accepted standard investigation for recurrent varicose veins. Duplex venous imaging offers a precise, non-invasive technique to make anatomic and hemodynamic diagnoses. A routine protocol of duplex imaging of recurrent varicose veins is described based on the known recurrent sources of reflux from deep to superficial veins. Results from this protocol indicate that incompetent perforating veins are the most common site of reflux from deep to superficial veins in patients with recurrent postsurgical varicose veins. Other important sites of reflux detected by this method are recurrent communications with the common femoral vein, the saphenopopliteal junction, and incompetent pelvic veins. Duplex imaging is recommended as a safe, non-invasive method of evaluating recurrent varicose veins.

Adult↗

Intermittent claudication in a professional rugby player.

Intermittent claudication in a professional rugby player is described. The typical features of a delayed and difficult diagnosis of an external iliac artery stenosis were found. The noninvasive diagnostic protocol used to investigate this young patient with a minimal arterial lesion enabled accurate localization and angioplasty to be performed at the same time as diagnostic angiography. The patient was symptom free with normal arterial pressures on follow-up. It is suggested that appropriate noninvasive investigations should be performed before angiography in young people with minimal lesions.

Adult↗

Multiple-dose doxepin kinetics in depressed patients.

Doxepin (DOX) and desmethyldoxepin (DMD) kinetics were examined in seven depressed patients receiving single daily doses of 150 mg DOX for 1 to 3 wk. Blood samples were collected at 0, 4, 12, 15, 18, and 24 hr after the first dose, at bedtime before doses 7, 14, and 21, and at 4, 12, 15, 18, and 24 hr after the last dose. Plasma concentrations of DOX and DMD were analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Clinical response to DOX treatment was evaluated by the Zung self-rating depression scale and the Hamilton rating scale for depression. Mean DOX t1/2 after the first dose was 17.7 hr, and it rose to 21.8 hr after the last dose. Mean DMD t1/2 was not significantly affected by multiple dosing (34.2 hr after first dose and 37.1 hr after last dose). Mean values for plasma clearance, volume of distribution, and first-pass metabolism were 0.87 l/hr/kg, 23.8 l/kg, and 69.5%. In depressed patients kinetics were in the normal range. Steady-state concentrations of DOX and DMD were reached within 2 wk of beginning DOX dosing. The concentration-response curve indicated strong correlation between total DOX concentration (DOX + DMD) and antidepressant effect (r2 = 0.76).

Adult↗