The compelling arguments for the need of medical vascular physicians in Europe

<b></b> The burden of vascular diseases is growing worldwide, as the population ages, prompting a call to action not only in terms of awareness but also and most urgently in recognizing the need for vascular physicians, also called angiologists. Vascular medicine views the vascular system (arteries, veins, and lymphatics) as a whole, unique, and independent entity requiring specialized competencies. Vascular physicians offer a holistic and comprehensive approach to vascular patients including provision of interventional procedures, management of a heterogeneous group of multi-morbid and frail patients affected by multi-vessel diseases, and connecting different specialists in a multidisciplinary effort. Vascular medicine practise varies across European countries. While it is a firmly accepted medical speciality in many European countries it is not formally recognized by the European Union limiting adoption in the other countries. The lack of vascular physicians likely accounts for inequality of care of vascular patients as compared for example to patients with heart disease and might contribute to adverse outcomes and healthcare costs associated with vascular diseases. To move forward in the struggle to provide efficient care for multimorbid poly-vascular patients, it is essential to establish vascular medicine programs in Europe and worldwide. Important steps to achieve this goal include improving public awareness of vascular diseases, attain formal recognition by the EU of angiology/vascular medicine as a medical specialty, creating specialized treatment guidelines, and to harmonize vascular care in Europe

Supervised exercise training in patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease

The optimal first line management of patients with symptomatic chronic lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) includes secondary prevention of cardiovascular risk factors, pharmacological treatment, and supervised exercise therapy (SET). SET programs have shown to be effective in improving walking performance, functional performance, and quality of life. However, despite a large body of evidence, and despite national and international guidelines recommending SET as first line therapy, SET remains largely underused in patients with chronic PAD. This position paper aims to describe how SET is perceived, its accessibility and structure through Europe. An anonymous web-based survey was used. It comprised 21 questions developed in conjunction with an angiologist and a clinical exercise physiologist specialist in vascular rehabilitation. We had 131 responders from 17 countries. For patients with PAD, SET programs exist only in 59% of European countries. SET reimbursement is available in 41% of countries. SET programs showed to be heterogeneous across countries. Thirty-four percent of the SET programs are PAD-dedicated, while 23% are part of a cardiac rehabilitation program. In addition, among existing SET programs, 65% are dedicated to symptomatic patients with PAD only, 9% to both asymptomatic and symptomatic, 8% to post-revascularized patients only, and 1% to asymptomatic patients with PAD only. Finally, 17% reported not knowing which patients are eligible for enrolment in a SET program. Duration, frequency, and modality of SET also varied from country to country. Overall, these data indicate that a large variability of SET availability and characteristics exists across Europe. Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide detailed guidance to deliver optimal exercise therapeutic care in patients with PAD

Hyperdynamic Myocardial Response to Beta-Adrenergic Stimulation in Patients With Chest Pain and Normal Coronary Arteries

ObjectivesThe goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that an abnormal response to beta-adrenergic stimulation may play a role in the pathophysiology of chest pain in patients with normal coronary arteries.BackgroundThe mechanism of angina-like (AL) chest pain in patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries remains controversial.MethodsFifty-eight patients with AL pain and a normal coronary angiogram underwent dobutamine echocardiography (DE) to evaluate regional wall motion and intraventricular flow velocities (IFV). Control patients consisted of 22 matched patients free of angina and coronary artery disease. Abnormal IFV were defined as dagger-shaped Doppler spectrum ≥3 m/s.ResultsDobutamine-induced regional wall motion abnormalities did not develop in any of the patients. An IFV ≥ 3 m/s was found in 28 patients (48%) with AL pain but in only 4 (18%) control patients (p < 0.05). In the subgroup of patients with AL pain and IFV ≥3 m/s, plasma renin concentration (PRC) was higher as compared with those with IFV <3 m/s (18 ± 17 pg/ml vs. 9 ± 6 pg/ml, p < 0.05). There were no differences in plasma ADR, NADR, or angiotensin-converting enzyme levels. Fourteen patients with angina and IFV ≥3 underwent control DE and blood sampling after 6 weeks treatment with 10 mg of bisoprolol. In these patients, a decrease in IFV (from 3.4 ± 0.35 m/s to 2.46 ± 0.64 m/s, p < 0.001) and a decrease in angina score (from 5.4 ± 1.5 to 0.6 ± 1.4, p < 0.001) were observed at follow-up.ConclusionsThe present data suggest that an exaggerated myocardial response to beta-adrenergic stimulation plays a role in the mechanisms of chest pain in some patients with normal coronary arteries

ESVM Guideline on peripheral arterial disease

International audienc

ESVM guidelines:the diagnosis and management of Raynaud's phenomenon

Regarding the clinical diagnosis of Raynaud's phenomenon and its associated conditions, investigations and treatment are substantial, and yet no international consensus has been published regarding the medical management of patients presenting with this condition. Most knowledge on this topic derives from epidemiological surveys and observational studies; few randomized studies are available, almost all relating to drug treatment, and thus these guidelines were developed as an expert consensus document to aid in the diagnosis and management of Raynaud's phenomenon. This consensus document starts with a clarification about the definition and terminology of Raynaud's phenomenon and covers the differential and aetiological diagnoses as well as the symptomatic treatment

Post-thrombotic syndrome: A position paper from European Society of Vascular Medicine

International audiencePost-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a chronic venous insufficiency manifestation following an episode of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). It is an important and frequent long-term adverse event of proximal DVT affecting 20–50% of patients. This position paper integrates data guiding clinicians in deciding PTS diagnosis, treatment and follow-up

Characterization of mesenchymal stem cells of "no-options" patients with critical limb ischemia treated by autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells.

Application of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells to "no option" patients with advanced critical limb ischemia (CLI) prevented major limb amputation in 73% patients during the 6-month follow-up. We examined which properties of bone marrow stromal cells also known as bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells of responding and non-responding patients are important for amputation-free survival.Mesenchymal stem cells of 41 patients with CLI unsuitable for revascularisation were isolated from mononuclear bone marrow concentrate used for their treatment. Based on the clinical outcome of the treatment, we divided patients into two groups: responders and non-responders. Biological properties of responders' and non-responders' mesenchymal stem cells were characterized according to their ability to multiply, to differentiate in vitro, quantitative expression of cell surface markers, secretion of 27 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, and to the relative expression of 15 mesenchymal stem cells important genes. Secretome comparison between responders (n=27) and non-responders (n=14) revealed significantly higher secretion values of IL-4, IL-6 and MIP-1b in the group of responders. The expression of cell markers CD44 and CD90 in mesenchymal stem cells from responders was significantly higher compared to non-responders (p<0.01). The expression of mesenchymal stem cells surface markers that was analyzed in 22 patients did not differ between diabetic (n=13) and non-diabetic (n=9) patient groups. Statistically significant higher expression of E-cadherin and PDX-1/IPF1 genes was found in non-responders, while expression of Snail was higher in responders.The quality of mesenchymal stem cells shown in the expression of cell surface markers, secreted factors and stem cell genes plays an important role in therapeutic outcome. Paracrine mechanisms are main drivers in the induction of reparatory processes in CLI patients. Differences in mesenchymal stem cells properties are discussed in relation to their involvement in the reparatory process

Assessment of renal artery stenosis severity by pressure gradient measurements

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to define "significant" renal artery stenosis (i.e., a stenosis able to induce arterial hypertension). Background: The degree of renal artery stenosis that justifies an attempt at revascularization is unknown. Methods: In 15 patients, transstenotic pressure measurements were obtained before and after unilateral stenting. After stenting, graded stenoses were created in the stented segment by progressive inflation of a balloon catheter. Stenosis severity was expressed as the ratio of distal pressure (Pd) corrected for aortic pressure (Pa). Balloon inflation pressure was adjusted to create 6° of stenosis (Pd/Pa from 1.0 to 0.5, each step during 10 min). Plasma renin concentration was measured at the end of each step in the aorta and in both renal veins. Results: For a Pd/Pa ratio >0.90, no significant change in plasma renin concentration was observed. However, when Pd/Pa became <0.90, a significant increase in renin was observed in the renal vein of the stenotic kidney, finally reaching a maximal increase of 346 ± 145% for Pd/Pa of 0.50 (p = 0.006). These values returned to baseline when the stenosis was relieved. In addition, plasma renin concentration increased significantly in the vein from the non-stenotic kidney (p = 0.02). Conclusions: In renal artery stenoses, a Pd/Pa ratio of 0.90 can be considered a threshold value below which the stenosis is likely responsible for an up-regulation of renin production and, thus, for renovascular hypertension. These findings might contribute to better patient selection for renal angioplasty

Assessment of renal artery stenosis severity by pressure gradient measurements

\u3cp\u3eObjectives: The purpose of this study was to define significant renal artery stenosis (i.e., a stenosis able to induce arterial hypertension). Background: The degree of renal artery stenosis that justifies an attempt at revascularization is unknown. Methods: In 15 patients, transstenotic pressure measurements were obtained before and after unilateral stenting. After stenting, graded stenoses were created in the stented segment by progressive inflation of a balloon catheter. Stenosis severity was expressed as the ratio of distal pressure (P\u3csub\u3ed\u3c/sub\u3e) corrected for aortic pressure (P\u3csub\u3ea\u3c/sub\u3e). Balloon inflation pressure was adjusted to create 6° of stenosis (P\u3csub\u3ed\u3c/sub\u3e/P\u3csub\u3ea\u3c/sub\u3e from 1.0 to 0.5, each step during 10 min). Plasma renin concentration was measured at the end of each step in the aorta and in both renal veins. Results: For a P\u3csub\u3ed\u3c/sub\u3e/P\u3csub\u3ea\u3c/sub\u3e ratio &gt;0.90, no significant change in plasma renin concentration was observed. However, when P\u3csub\u3ed\u3c/sub\u3e/P\u3csub\u3ea\u3c/sub\u3e became &lt;0.90, a significant increase in renin was observed in the renal vein of the stenotic kidney, finally reaching a maximal increase of 346 ± 145% for P\u3csub\u3ed\u3c/sub\u3e/P\u3csub\u3ea\u3c/sub\u3e of 0.50 (p = 0.006). These values returned to baseline when the stenosis was relieved. In addition, plasma renin concentration increased significantly in the vein from the non-stenotic kidney (p = 0.02). Conclusions: In renal artery stenoses, a P\u3csub\u3ed\u3c/sub\u3e/P\u3csub\u3ea\u3c/sub\u3e ratio of 0.90 can be considered a threshold value below which the stenosis is likely responsible for an up-regulation of renin production and, thus, for renovascular hypertension. These findings might contribute to better patient selection for renal angioplasty.\u3c/p\u3

Assessment of renal artery stenosis: Side-by-side comparison of angiography and duplex ultrasound with pressure gradient measurements

Aims: A ratio of distal renal pressure to aortic pressure (P d/Pa) 50%, MLD 180 cm/s, EDV > 90 cm/s and RAR > 3.5 were, respectively, 60%, 77%, 45%, 77% and 79%, yet, with a high proportion of false positives (38%, 15%, 55%, 11% and 15%, respectively) indicating an overestimation of the severity of the RAS by both QRA and CDUS. New cut-off values for QRA- and CDUS-derived indices were proposed. Conclusion: Generally accepted QRA and CDUS-derived indices of RAS severity overestimate the actual severity of RAS. This 'overdiagnosis' is likely the main cause of the disappointing results of renal angioplasty for renovascular hypertension