Chronic venous disorders: Correlation between visible signs, symptoms, and presence of functional disease

none5siBackground: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of chronic venous disorders (CVD) in different demographic groups in Italy and to provide correlations between patterns of valve incompetence and clinical feature of disease severity. Methods: Advertisements in television and newspapers in 53 Italian cities were used to solicit 16,251 subjects (13,826 women, mean age 50.4 years; 2,425 men, mean age 59.1 years). They underwent a clinical examination of the lower limbs, including presence and severity of visible signs (CEAP classification), and assessment of functional disease by color-coded duplex ultrasound imaging. Results: Varicose veins and telangiectases were the most common objective signs in both men and women. Older people were more severely affected. Telangiectases were more frequent in women, and men had a higher incidence of trunk varices, trophic changes, and venous reflux. Frequency of both visible and functional venous disease increased with family history and body mass index. Presence of reflux correlated positively with increasing CEAP grade of visible disease (P for trend < .0001 for all superficial venous segments). A large number of subjects, especially women, complained of subjective symptoms in the legs, and the presence of symptoms correlated almost always positively with both worsening of visible findings (P for trend < .001) and presence of hemodynamic change in both genders. Conclusions: The frequency of reflux increased with the severity of visible signs of disease as described by the CEAP classification. In men, the occurrence of subjective symptoms was mostly correlated with functional disorders. © 2007 The Society for Vascular Surgery.Chiesa, R.; Marone, E.M.; Limoni, C.; Volontè, M.; Petrini, O.Chiesa, R.; Marone, ENRICO MARIA; Limoni, C.; Volontè, M.; Petrini, O

Data on consistency among different methods to assess atherosclerotic plaque echogenicity on standard ultrasound and intraplaque neovascularization on contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging in human carotid artery

AbstractHere we provide the correlation among different carotid ultrasound (US) variables to assess echogenicity n standard carotid US and to assess intraplaque neovascularization on contrast enhanced US. We recruited 45 consecutive subjects with an asymptomatic≥50% carotid artery stenosis. Carotid plaque echogenicity at standard US was visually graded according to Gray–Weale classification (GW) and measured by the greyscale median (GSM), a semi-automated computerized measurement performed by Adobe Photoshop®. On CEUS imaging IPNV was graded according to the visual appearance of contrast within the plaque according to three different methods: CEUS_A (1=absent; 2=present); CEUS_B a three-point scale (increasing IPNV from 1 to 3); CEUS_C a four-point scale (increasing IPNV from 0 to 3). We have also implemented a new simple quantification method derived from region of interest (ROI) signal intensity ratio as assessed by QLAB software. Further information is available in “Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging of intraplaque neovascularization and its correlation to plaque echogenicity in human carotid arteries atherosclerosis (M. Cattaneo, D. Staub, A.P. Porretta, J.M. Gallino, P. Santini, C. Limoni et al., 2016) [1]

Reduction of ST-elevation myocardial infarction in Canton Ticino (Switzerland) after smoking bans in enclosed public places—No Smoke Pub Study

Background: Second-hand smoke increases the risk of acute myocardial infarction. Canton Ticino (CT) first introduced a smoking ban in public places in 2007. This offered the opportunity to assess the long-term impact of a smoking ban on the incidence of ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI) compared with a population where the law was not yet implemented. Methods: We assessed the incidence of STEMI hospitalizations per 100 000 inhabitants both during 3 years before and after the ban application in CT and in Canton Basel City (CBC), where this law was not yet applied. Data were obtained from the codified hospital registry (ICD-10 codes). Results: In CT, the mean incidence of STEMI admissions during the 3 pre-ban years (123.7) was significantly higher than the incidence of admissions in each of the 3 post-ban years (92.9, 101.6 and 89.6 respectively; P <.024). Analysing population subsets, a post-ban reduction was observed among ≥65-year-old people of both sexes in each of the 3 post-ban years and in the <65-year age group during the first post-ban year (P = 0.02). Conversely, the mean incidence of STEMI hospitalizations in CBC (92.4) didn't change significantly in each of the 3 post-ban years (83.9, 83.3 and 79.5, P = NS) during the same period. However, a significant long-term reduction in STEMI admissions was observed in CBC among the male group with ≥65 years (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Our work suggests a significant impact of the smoke-free policy on the number of annual STEMI. Specific population subsets (i.e. ≥65-year-old females) were particularly affected by the smoking ban, showing a significant reduction in STEMI hospitalization

Progression of human carotid and femoral atherosclerosis: a prospective follow-up study by magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging

Aims The time course of atherosclerosis burden in distinct vascular territories remains poorly understood. We longitudinally evaluated the natural history of atherosclerotic progression in two different arterial territories using high spatial resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI), a powerful, safe, and non-invasive tool. Methods and results We prospectively studied a cohort of 30 patients (mean age 68.3, n = 9 females) with high Framingham general cardiovascular disease 10-year risk score (29.5%) and standard medical therapy with mild-to-moderate atherosclerosis intra-individually at the level of both carotid and femoral arteries. A total of 178 HR-MRI studies of carotid and femoral arteries performed at baseline and at 1- and 2-year follow-up were evaluated in consensus reading by two experienced readers for lumen area (LA), total vessel area (TVA), vessel wall area (VWA = TVA − LA), and normalized wall area index (NWI = VWA/TVA). At the carotid level, LA decreased (−3.19%/year, P = 0.018), VWA increased (+3.83%/year, P = 0.019), and TVA remained unchanged. At the femoral level, LA remained unchanged, VWA and TVA increased (+5.23%/year and +3.11%/year, both P < 0.01), and NWI increased for both carotid and femoral arteries (+2.28%/year, P = 0.01, and +1.8%/year, P = 0.033). Conclusion The atherosclerotic burden increased significantly in both carotid and femoral arteries. However, carotid plaque progression was associated with negative remodelling, whereas the increase in femoral plaque burden was compensated by positive remodelling. This finding could be related to anatomic and flow differences and/or to the distinct degree of obstruction in the two arterial territorie

The greater incidence of small for gestational age newborns after gonadotropin-stimulated in vitro fertilization with a supra-physiological estradiol level on ovulation trigger day.

INTRODUCTION Reproductive scientists have postulated various risk factors for lower birthweight following conventional gonadotropin stimulated in vitro fertilization compared to spontaneously conceived children: parental factors (age, health, duration of subfertility, and smoking habits); ovarian stimulation; laboratory procedures; the number of oocytes retrieved; and the number of embryos transferred. Our aim was to investigate the impact of gonadotropin stimulation and serum estradiol level on the risk of a newborn's being small for gestational age. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a cohort study (2010-2016) of singletons (n = 155) born either after conventional gonadotropin stimulated in vitro fertilization (using ≥150 IU/d human gonadotropin for stimulation) or after natural cycle in vitro fertilization without any stimulation. We analyzed perinatal outcomes using birthweight percentiles, as they adjust for gestational age and sex. RESULTS The proportion of small for gestational age was 11.8% following conventional gonadotropin stimulated in vitro fertilization, and 2.9% after natural-cycle in vitro fertilization (P = 0.058). The odds of small for gestational age were significantly higher with supra-physiological estradiol levels in maternal serum on ovulation trigger day (unadjusted odds ratio 4.58; 95% confidence interval 1.35 to 15.55; P = 0.015). It remained significant after adjusting for maternal height, age, and body mass index (adjusted odds ratio 3.83; 95% confidence interval 1.06 to 13.82; P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS We found an associated risk of children being born small for gestational age after conventional gonadotropin stimulated in vitro fertilization compared to natural-cycle in vitro fertilization. This higher risk is significantly associated with supra-physiological estradiol levels. We propose a reduction in the dosage of gonadotropin to minimize the risk of small for gestational age and future health consequences. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Diphyllobothrium latum (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea) in perch (Perca fluviatilis) in three sub-alpine lakes: influence of biotic and abiotic factors on prevalence

In recent years, human diphyllobothriosis has staged a comeback in Swiss, French and Italian sub-alpine regions. The main putative infective source of the causative agent (the tapeworm Diphyllobothrium latum) in these areas is perch (Perca fluviatilis). Therefore, the occurrence of D. latum in this fish species was investigated between 2005 and 2008 in the sub-alpine lakes Maggiore, Lugano and Geneva. Prevalence in fish of Lake Maggiore was 14% (n = 880). In Lake Geneva, 5.1% fillets (n = 532) were infected, whereas perch from Lake Lugano were free from the parasite. These results are discussed in relation to previous studies. Data on fish size and weight indicate that infection of perch by D. latum is independent of age and sex. Abiotic factors considered critical for D. latum life cycle (water temperature and oxygen concentration) characterize the three basins and were related to their infestation frequencies. The presence of this parasite was most likely favoured by warmer, well oxygenated waters. Previous studies indicate that the lake’s trophic state (i.e. content of total phosphorus) influenced the availability of the first intermediate hosts (copepods) of some pseudophyllideans. In our study, no correlation was observed between the amount of phosphorus and the number of copepods in populations of zooplankton. Nevertheless, the trophic states of the three lakes seemed to affect the degree of infection in fish. In conclusion, at least in sub-alpine lakes, abiotic factors such as water temperature, oxygenation and trophic state seem to have an influence on maintaining or preventing perch infection with D. latum

Comparison of two non-bronchoscopic methods for evaluating inflammation in patients with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure

INTRODUCTION: The simple bedside method for sampling undiluted distal pulmonary edema fluid through a normal suction catheter (s-Cath) has been experimentally and clinically validated. However, there are no data comparing non-bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (mini-BAL) and s-Cath for assessing lung inflammation in acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure. We designed a prospective study in two groups of patients, those with acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and those with acute cardiogenic lung edema (ACLE), designed to investigate the clinical feasibility of these techniques and to evaluate inflammation in both groups using undiluted sampling obtained by s-Cath. To test the interchangeability of the two methods in the same patient for studying the inflammation response, we further compared mini-BAL and s-Cath for agreement of protein concentration and percentage of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). METHODS: Mini-BAL and s-Cath sampling was assessed in 30 mechanically ventilated patients, 21 with ALI/ARDS and 9 with ACLE. To analyse agreement between the two sampling techniques, we considered only simultaneously collected mini-BAL and s-Cath paired samples. The protein concentration and polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) count comparisons were performed using undiluted sampling. Bland-Altman plots were used for assessing the mean bias and the limits of agreement between the two sampling techniques; comparison between groups was performed by using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney-U test; continuous variables were compared by using the Student t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, analysis of variance or Student-Newman-Keuls test; and categorical variables were compared by using chi-square analysis or Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Using protein content and PMN percentage as parameters, we identified substantial variations between the two sampling techniques. When the protein concentration in the lung was high, the s-Cath was a more sensitive method; by contrast, as inflammation increased, both methods provided similar estimates of neutrophil percentages in the lung. The patients with ACLE showed an increased PMN count, suggesting that hydrostatic lung edema can be associated with a concomitant inflammatory process. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant differences between the s-Cath and mini-BAL sampling techniques, indicating that these procedures cannot be used interchangeably for studying the lung inflammatory response in patients with acute hypoxaemic lung injury

From the ICU to the ward: cross-checking of the physician's transfer report by intensive care nurses

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether cross-checking of the physician ICU transfer report by ICU nurses may reduce transfer report errors. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study with random selection (according to patient registration code) of ICU transfer reports. SETTING: Eight-bed multidisciplinary intensive care unit of a teaching hospital. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: ICU transfer reports of 123 patients were randomly selected at discharge from the ICU between November 2006 and February 2007. INTERVENTIONS: Physician ICU transfer reports were cross-checked by nurses using defined review criteria. Inter-rater agreement (between nurses and the head of ICU) was assessed by kappa-values, and was excellent overall (0.9). All intercepted errors (100%) were consequently corrected by the interns. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Out of 123 transfer reports, 76 (62%) were affected by at least one error. Among 305 intercepted errors, 247 were prescription errors (26% of all prescriptions), 45 involved proposed procedures, and 13 were deficient in updating diagnoses. Most of the errors (248/305, 81%) were classified as simple, 43 (14%) as serious, or 14 (5%) as critical. Thirty-five (28%) transfer reports were considered potentially harmful (i.e., affected by at least one critical/serious error). In a multivariate model, only the number of medications included in the transfer report was associated with the occurrence of at least one critical/serious error. CONCLUSIONS: Errors in ICU transfer reports are frequent and may be potentially harmful. ICU nurses may help to effectively and accurately intercept those inaccuracies, and therefore reduce the exportation of errors from the ICU to the ward