BACKGROUND & AIMS: :The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between peripheral venous disease (PVD) and arterial endothelial dysfunction (ED). Arterial and venous diseases have been always considered as two completely different entities, but the recent discovery of a relationship between arterial and venous thrombosis have challenged this assumption. ED, considered to be an early process in the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic disease, could represent a common pathogenetic background. We studied 39 healthy volunteers (median age: 34 years; men: 25.6%). PVD was diagnosed using ultrasound examination, arterial ED using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and FMD normalized for the peak shear rate (nFMD). Compared with controls, participants with PVD had a lower FMD (15.2 versus 23.4%, P < 0.001) and nFMD (12.7 × 10(-3) versus 19 × 10(-3)/second, P < 0.001). People with the most clinically evident disease had the worst endothelial function. In conclusion, our findings, if confirmed in larger population, might corroborate the idea that venous and arterial disease could have common causes.

背景与目标： : 该研究的目的是评估外周静脉疾病 (PVD) 与动脉内皮功能障碍 (ED) 之间的关系。动脉和静脉疾病一直被认为是两个完全不同的实体，但是最近发现动脉和静脉血栓形成之间的关系对这一假设提出了挑战。ED被认为是动脉粥样硬化疾病病理生理的早期过程，可能代表了共同的发病背景。我们研究了39名健康志愿者 (中位年龄: 34岁; 男性: 25.6%)。使用超声检查诊断PVD，使用血流介导的扩张 (FMD) 进行动脉ED，并针对峰值剪切速率 (nFMD) 标准化FMD。与对照组相比，PVD参与者的FMD (15.2 vs 23.4%，P <0.001) 和nFMD (12.7 × 10(-3) vs 19 × 10(-3)/秒，P <0.001) 较低。临床上最明显的疾病患者的内皮功能最差。总之，如果在更多人群中得到证实，我们的发现可能证实了静脉和动脉疾病可能具有共同原因的观点。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND:The outcome of sclerotherapy for bleeding oesophageal varices may be influenced by injection technique. In a previous study at our institution, sclerotherapy was associated with a high re-bleeding rate and oesophageal ulceration. Embolisation of the injection tract was introduced in an attempt to reduce injection-related complications. METHODS:To determine the outcome and effectiveness of injection tract embolisation in reducing injection-related complications, we retrospectively reviewed a series of 59 children who underwent injection sclerotherapy for oesophageal varices (29 for extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) and 30 for intrahepatic disease) in our centre. RESULTS:Sclerotherapy resulted in variceal eradication in only 11.8% of the children (mean follow-up duration: 38.4 months). Variceal eradication with sclerotherapy alone was achieved in 20.7% and 3.3% of EHPVO and intrahepatic disease patients, respectively. Injection tract embolisation was successful in reducing the number of complications and re-bleeding rates. Complications that arose included: transient pyrexia (16.7%); deep oesophageal ulcers (6.7%); stricture formation (3.3%); and re-bleeding before variceal sclerosis (23%). CONCLUSION:Injection sclerotherapy did not eradicate oesophageal varices in most children. Injection tract embolisation by sclerosant was associated with fewer complications and reduced re-bleeding rates.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Venous angiomas are a developmental anomaly in which embryonic venous drainage is still present into adulthood. They are usually asymptomatic and benign course but they can cause seizures and less commonly bleeding, usually associated to cavernous malformation. Normally, treatment is not necessary although bleeding, severe clinical and lesions in which it is possible a favourable approach, we can consider treatment. We show a case of a 11 years old boy with acute decrease level of consciousness. We observed hematoma in the right cerebellar hemisphere with radial tubular structures consistent with developmental venous anomaly. The hematoma was evacuated without a demonstrable other reason justifying the bleeding.

背景与目标： : 静脉血管瘤是一种发育异常，其中胚胎静脉引流仍然存在到成年。它们通常是无症状和良性的，但可引起癫痫发作和较少见的出血，通常与海绵状畸形有关。通常，尽管出血，严重的临床和病变可能是有利的方法，但治疗是不必要的，我们可以考虑治疗。我们展示了一个11岁男孩的意识水平急剧下降的案例。我们观察到右小脑半球的血肿，其放射状管状结构与发育性静脉异常一致。血肿被疏散，没有明显的其他原因证明出血是合理的。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND:The relative importance of previous diagnosis and hereditary prothrombotic risk factors for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) in children in determining risk of a second cerebral or systemic venous thrombosis (VT), compared with other clinical, neuroimaging, and treatment variables, is unknown. METHODS:We followed up the survivors of 396 consecutively enrolled patients with CVT, aged newborn to 18 years (median 5.2 years) for a median of 36 months (maximum 85 months). In accordance with international treatment guidelines, 250 children (65%) received acute anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin or low-molecular weight heparin, followed by secondary anticoagulation prophylaxis with low-molecular weight heparin or warfarin in 165 (43%). RESULTS:Of 396 children enrolled, 12 died immediately and 22 (6%) had recurrent VT (13 cerebral; 3%) at a median of 6 months (range 0.1-85). Repeat venous imaging was available in 266 children. Recurrent VT only occurred in children whose first CVT was diagnosed after age 2 years; the underlying medical condition had no effect. In Cox regression analyses, non-administration of anticoagulant before relapse (hazard ratio [HR] 11.2 95% CI 3.4-37.0; p<0.0001), persistent occlusion on repeat venous imaging (4.1, 1.1-14.8; p=0.032), and heterozygosity for the G20210A mutation in factor II (4.3, 1.1-16.2; p=0.034) were independently associated with recurrent VT. Among patients who had recurrent VT, 70% (15) occurred within the 6 months after onset. CONCLUSION:Age at CVT onset, non-administration of anticoagulation, persistent venous occlusion, and presence of G20210A mutation in factor II predict recurrent VT in children. Secondary prophylactic anticoagulation should be given on a patient-to-patient basis in children with newly identified CVT and at high risk of recurrent VT. Factors that affect recanalisation need further research.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: OBJECTIVES:To assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of central venous catheters (CVCs) treated with anti-infective agents in preventing catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). DATA SOURCES:Major electronic databases were searched from 1985 to August 2005. REVIEW METHODS:The systematic clinical and economic reviews were conducted according to accepted procedures. Only full economic evaluations (synthesis of costs and benefits) comparing the use of anti-infective central venous catheters (AI-CVCs) with untreated CVCs or other treated catheters were selected for inclusion in the economic review. RESULTS:A total of 32 trials met the clinical inclusion criteria. Seven different types of AI-CVC were identified, with the most frequently tested being chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine (CHSS) (externally treated), CHSS (externally and internally treated) and minocycline rifampicin (internally and externally treated). In general, the trials were of a poor quality in terms of reported methodology, microbiological relevance and control of confounding variables. The pooled result suggests a statistically significant advantage for AI-CVCs in comparison to standard catheters in reducing CRBSI [odds ratio (OR) 0.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34 to 0.60, 24 studies, I-squared = 0%, fixed effects]. Analysis by subgroups of catheters demonstrates that antibiotic-treated catheters and catheters treated internally and externally decrease CRBSI rates significantly (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.46, six studies, I-squared = 0%, fixed effects, and OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.70, nine studies, I-squared = 0%, fixed effects, respectively). Catheters treated only externally demonstrate a wider CI and non-significant effect (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.06, nine studies, I-squared = 0%, fixed effects). A treatment effect was also found for trials with an average duration of between 5 and 12 days, and for the one study with a mean duration of over 20 days. There was a statistically significant treatment effect for both femoral and jugular insertion sites and for those studies reporting a mix of insertion sites. The treatment effect was not observed in trials using exclusively subclavian insertion sites. Of the four trials that compared treated catheters, one reported a benefit of antibiotic-treated catheters over catheters treated externally with CHSS. All three sensitivity analyses testing for study design differences reported a statistically significant treatment effect. The review was limited owing to the quality of the trials included, marked differences in the definitions and methods of diagnosis of CRBSI, and inconsistent reporting of risk factors and patient population factors. Furthermore, two-thirds of trials were commercially funded. The economic performance (cost-effectiveness and potential cost-savings) of using AI-CVCs to reduce the number of CRBSIs in patients requiring a CVC was also reviewed. Results show that the use of AI-CVCs instead of standard CVCs can lead to a reduction in CRBSIs and decreased medical costs. To complement the reviews, a basic decision-analytic model was constructed to explore a range of possible scenarios for the NHS in England and Wales. Results show that for every patient who receives an AI-CVC there is an estimated cost-saving of 138.20 pounds. The multivariate sensitivity analyses estimate potentially large cost-savings, depending on the size of the population, under a wide range of cost and clinical assumptions. However, those considering the purchase of AI-CVCs should ensure that their patient populations and the important characteristics of local clinical practice are indeed similar to those described in this economic evaluation. CONCLUSIONS:Overall, AI-CVCs are clinically effective and relatively inexpensive and therefore their integration into clinical practice can be justified. However, the use of these anti-infective catheters without the appropriate use of other practical care initiatives will have only a limited success on the prevention of CRBSIs. Comparative trials are required to determine which, if any, of the treated catheters is the most effective. Pragmatic research related to the effectiveness of bundles of care that may reduce rates of CRBSI is also warranted.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Percutaneous large bore cannula placement during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for use in venovenous bypass (VVB) has been reported to be a rapid and simple technique. It is, however, a technique that carries its own risks. The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence of complications related to the placement of a percutaneous venous return cannula and subsequent VVB in OLT. A retrospective review of 360 consecutive adult OLT patients during a period of 18 months (January 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004) was performed. The percutaneous venous cannula (18 Fr) was placed by an attending transplant anesthesiologist. The cannulation was attempted in 326 patients (90.6%). No cannulation was attempted on the subclavian veins. Internal jugular venous cannula placement was attempted but aborted in 6 patients (1.8%) due to technical difficulties. In 320 patients who received an internal jugular venous cannula, 313 (97.8%) underwent OLT without complication. The remaining 7 patients (2.2%) had complications. The operation was delayed for 1 patient due to suspected hemomediastinum. The other 6 complications were related to VVB: air embolism (2 patients), low flow rate (2 patients), hypotension (1 patient), and atrial fibrillation (1 patient). Successful OLT was eventually carried out in all the 7 patients and no mortality associated with internal jugular venous cannula placement or VVB was noted. In conclusion, percutaneous placement of a large bore venous return cannula for VVB during adult OLT can be performed with acceptable risk using a flexible 18-Fr cannula via the right internal jugular vein (IJV) by experienced attending transplant anesthesiologists.

背景与目标： : 据报道，在原位肝移植 (OLT) 中用于静脉旁路 (VVB) 的经皮大口径套管放置是一种快速而简单的技术。然而，这是一种自担风险的技术。该研究的目的是调查与OLT中经皮静脉回流套管和随后的VVB放置有关的并发症的发生率。对18个月 (2003年1月1日2004年6月30日) 的360例成人OLT患者进行了回顾性研究。由主治的移植麻醉师放置经皮静脉插管 (18 Fr)。在326例患者中尝试插管 (90.6%)。未尝试对锁骨下静脉进行插管。尝试放置颈内静脉插管，但由于技术困难而中止了6例 (1.8%)。在接受颈内静脉插管的320例患者中，313 (97.8%) 接受了OLT，没有并发症。其余7名患者 (2.2%) 有并发症。1例患者因怀疑有纵隔血而延迟手术。其他6种并发症与VVB有关: 空气栓塞 (2例)，低流速 (2例)，低血压 (1例) 和房颤 (1例)。最终在所有7例患者中成功进行了OLT，没有发现与颈内静脉插管或VVB相关的死亡率。总之，经验丰富的主治移植麻醉师可以通过右颈内静脉 (IJV) 使用柔性18-fr套管在成人OLT期间经皮放置VVB大口径静脉回流套管，风险可接受。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: -2

背景与目标： -2

BACKGROUND & AIMS: OBJECTIVE:We describe the angiographic diagnosis and significance of persistence of the primitive hepatic venous plexus with underdevelopment of the infrahepatic inferior vena cava. CONCLUSION:We recommend that inferior venacavography be performed in routine assessment before surgery of patients with azygos or hemiazygos continuation of the inferior vena cava, in whom redirection of systemic venous blood to the pulmonary artery is contemplated.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND:Glycyrrhizin is an agent with the capacity to bind to selectin molecules expressed on vascular endothelial cells and potentially prevent the adherence of neutrophils to the vascular endothelial surface. It has been found to prevent intravenous thrombus formation. METHODS:Venous thrombosis was induced in male rats by ligation of the inferior vena cava (IVC) for 6 h. Before the ligation, the study rats were given intravenous injections of glycyrrhizin through the IVC. After 6 h of venous ligation, the rats were sacrificed and the IVC segments were harvested. Thrombus within the IVC was collected to measure the wet weight. Gene expression of P-, L-, and E-selectin was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction using extracts of mRNA from the IVC vein wall. As baseline controls, IVC samples without ligation were harvested immediately after laparotomy. Neutrophil adhesion to the luminal surface of IVC was assessed on histological sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Blood samples were collected through the IVC proximal to the ligation after 6 h to estimate activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT). To investigate the effect of glycyrrhizin on binding capacity of P-selectin to human neutrophils, real-time biospecific interaction analysis was performed with the Biacore 2000 system. RESULTS:The mean weight of thrombus in the glycyrrhizintreated group was 12.9 +/- 11.1 mg, which is significantly lower than that of the saline-treated control group (21.3 +/- 12.5 mg). The expression level of P-and L-selectin mRNA in both saline-and glycyrrhizin-treated groups was significantly higher than that of the baseline control. Histological studies of cross sections of IVC showed significantly fewer neutrophils adhering to the luminal surface with glycyrrhizin treatment than in the saline-treated controls. There was no significant difference in the values of coagulation parameters with or without glycyrrhizin treatment. In vitro analysis showed that glycyrrhizin caused a dose-dependent reduction of neutrophils binding to immobilized recombinant P-selectin. CONCLUSIONS:Preoperative treatment with glycyrrhizin is potentially useful for preventing venous thrombosis by suppressing the adherence of neutrophils to the venous endothelium during the initial phase of thrombus formation without reducing coagulation capacity and the subsequent risk for increased bleeding.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: CONTEXT:Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) is recommended in all patients with hyperaldosteronism to whom surgery would be offered if the results indicated unilateral hypersecretion. OBJECTIVE:To assess the performance of AVS against radiological findings and to evaluate the Endocrine Society's Practice Guidelines for diagnostic cut-offs. PATIENTS:Retrospective study of 41 patients with hyperaldosteronism who underwent both AVS and computed tomography (CT) imaging. RESULTS:CT and AVS results were concordant in 73.7%. Unilateral lesions on CT had a greater positive predictive value (85%) than non-unilateral lesions (50%). In patients with subsequently confirmed adrenal adenomas, a lateralisation ratio >2 when comparing cortisol-corrected aldosterone ratios from the affected versus unaffected side was 100% sensitive. Patients who were managed surgically experienced significant reductions in blood pressure and medication burden and 46% were cured. CONCLUSIONS:AVS is important in establishing unilateral or bilateral adrenal secretion of aldosterone in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism. However, it may not be essential for the work-up in patients below the age of 40, in whom adrenal incidentalomas adrenal incidentalomas are known to be rarer, and a unilateral lesion on CT therefore has a greater positive predictive value.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Thrombosed arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are the predominant type of occult vascular malformation and do not seem to differ significantly in clinical or radiographic presentation from other types of occult vascular malformations. Thrombosed AVMs and occult vascular malformations occasionally present with symptoms secondary to subacute or occult hemorrhage that requires operation. The histopathology of thrombosed AVMs and occult vascular malformations does not seem to have prognostic significance. Five patients with histologically verified thrombosed AVMs are reported. Two patients had previous incomplete resection of histologically proven thrombosed AVMs and presented with recurrence and bleeding. Two patients presented with seizures and headaches, and one patient presented with hemiparesis and headache. All histology specimens had evidence of hemorrhage. The pathological findings of these lesions seem variable; two specimens contained a mixture of cavernous angioma and AVM. Two previously resected lesions had been defined histologically as thrombosed AVMs. Successful excision of the lesions was accomplished in four patients, and one patient had stereotactic biopsy. The magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of lesions seem to add a degree of specificity over computed tomography and angiography. We have found that the literature poorly describes the natural history and histology of these lesions. Conservative management for seizures and headaches due to thrombosed AVMs may not be warranted because of a propensity for hemorrhage and recurrence.

背景与目标： : 血栓形成的动静脉畸形 (avm) 是隐匿性血管畸形的主要类型，在临床或影像学表现上似乎与其他类型的隐匿性血管畸形没有显着差异。血栓形成的avm和隐匿性血管畸形偶尔出现继发于需要手术的亚急性或隐匿性出血的症状。血栓形成的avm和隐匿性血管畸形的组织病理学似乎没有预后意义。据报道，有5例经组织学证实的血栓形成的avm患者。两名患者先前未完全切除经组织学证实的血栓形成的avm，并出现复发和出血。两名患者出现癫痫发作和头痛，一名患者出现偏瘫和头痛。所有组织学标本都有出血的证据。这些病变的病理发现似乎是可变的; 两个标本包含海绵状血管瘤和AVM的混合物。先前切除的两个病变在组织学上被定义为血栓形成的avm。四名患者成功切除了病变，一名患者进行了立体定向活检。病变的磁共振成像特征似乎比计算机断层扫描和血管造影增加了一定程度的特异性。我们发现文献对这些病变的自然史和组织学描述不佳。由于出血和复发的倾向，可能不需要对血栓形成的avm引起的癫痫发作和头痛进行保守治疗。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND:Oral anticoagulants present multiple practical problems for patients undergoing chemotherapy. To assess the practice implications of anticoagulation therapy, a review was carried out. METHODS:A review of all patients with cancer treated with warfarin for venous thromboembolism (VTE) over a 1-year-period was carried out. Adverse events and therapeutic efficacy were assessed and the extra volume of work involved in monitoring was quantified. RESULTS:Fifty-five patients with cancer and VTE were treated with warfarin from 07/04 to 06/05. Twenty-one invasive interventions required disruption of anticoagulation. There were eight admissions for haemorrhage. Nine patients died while on warfarin. A total of 1,379 coagulation tests were performed. There were 382 extra dayward visits attributable to warfarin monitoring. On treatment, 13 patients (24%) were changed from warfarin therapy to low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). CONCLUSIONS:This study identifies and quantifies the extra resource utilization with warfarin therapy in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :The prevention of venous thromboembolism is a major concern in cancer patients undergoing pelvic surgery. Radical retropubic prostatectomy is a common treatment for localized prostate cancer and has been identified as a high risk procedure for postoperative venous thromboembolism. However, most patients diagnosed with prostate cancer in the current era have clinically localized, low volume disease and the risk of venous thromboembolism is very low. Multiple guidelines exist for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy and pharmacological venous thromboembolism prophylaxis is recommended. Most urological surgeons in the USA however, do not routinely utilize pharmacological prophylaxis. A major concern arises when radical retropubic prostatectomy is performed with a concomitant pelvic lymphadenectomy. Pharmacological prophylaxis is known to increase the rate of lymph drainage and the rate of lymphocele formation. Evidence suggests that lymphocele may be an independent risk factor for venous thromboembolism in the postoperative period. These factors raise concern over current guidelines calling for routine use of pharmacological venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in radical retropubic prostatectomy especially when lymphadenectomy is performed simultaneously.

背景与目标： : 预防静脉血栓栓塞是接受骨盆手术的癌症患者的主要关注点。耻骨后前列腺根治术是局部前列腺癌的常见治疗方法，已被确定为术后静脉血栓栓塞的高风险手术。但是，当今时代诊断为前列腺癌的大多数患者都具有临床局限性，低体积的疾病，并且发生静脉血栓栓塞的风险非常低。在接受根治性耻骨后前列腺切除术的患者中，有多种预防静脉血栓栓塞的指南，建议使用药物预防静脉血栓栓塞。然而，美国大多数泌尿外科医生并不常规使用药物预防。当进行根治性耻骨后前列腺切除术并同时进行盆腔淋巴结清扫术时，会引起主要关注。已知药物预防会增加淋巴引流率和淋巴囊肿形成率。有证据表明，淋巴囊肿可能是术后静脉血栓栓塞的独立危险因素。这些因素引起了人们对当前指南的关注，该指南要求在根治性耻骨后前列腺切除术中常规使用药理学静脉血栓栓塞预防，尤其是同时进行淋巴结清扫术时。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: -2

背景与目标： -2

BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND: A pial arteriovenous fistula (PAVF) is a rare neurovascular pathology consisting of a direct connection between one or more arterial feeders and a single venous channel. A PAVF was previously considered a subtype of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). In the current literature these are distinguished as two independent entities with different clinical, physiopathologic, and structural characteristics. We report a case of a surgically treated 37-year-old woman with an extremely rare combination of an unruptured PAVF and AVM. PATIENT: The AVM was mainly supplied by feeders of the middle cerebral artery and drained into the sigmoid sinus via an abnormally dilated and tortuous vein. Following its resection, intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the hybrid operating room revealed the presence of a PAVF that had not been noted during the preoperative planning. Hence the PAVF was completely disconnected as confirmed by DSA again. CONCLUSION: This is the second reported case of an AVM-associated PAVF. Without the intraoperative DSA in the hybrid operating room, this unusual complex cerebrovascular entity would likely have been missed.

背景与目标：