Percutaneous Aspiration Embolectomy in the Treatment of Acute Arterial Embolic Infrainguinal Vascular Occlusion

Background: Since its introduction, percutaneous aspiration embolectomy (PAE) has become a well-known, widely accepted and frequently applied technique for the treatment of acute arterial embolic infrainguinal vascular occlusion in lower limb ischemia. Purpose: To evaluate the technical and clinical success of sole percutaneous aspiration embolectomy (PAE) for the treatment of acute arterial embolic infrainguinal vascular occlusion. Material and Methods: During a period of 7 years, 50 patients (24 fermale, 48%) with a mean age of 73 (range 53–95) years were identified in whom 54 cases of PAE were performed for the treatment of arterial embolic infrainguinal vascular occlusion. Primary technical success was defined as residual stenosis of <50% in diameter after sole PAE, secondary technical success was defined as residual stenosis of <50% in diameter after PAE and additional percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and/or stenting. Clinical outcome parameters (e.g. need for further intervention and/or amputation) were evaluated for the 30-day postinterventional period. Results: The primary technical success rate was 85% (46 of 54 cases). The secondary technical success rate was 96% (52 of 54 cases). Clinical outcome data were achievable in 50 of the 54 cases (93%). In 43 of the 50 patients (86%) there was no need for further intervention within the 30-day postinterventional period. In summary, during this 30-day postinterventional period after PAE amputation was carried out or death occurred in 5 of 50 patients (10%). Conclusion: Minimally invasive PAE is an effective and safe technique for the treatment of acute arterial embolic infrainguinal vascular occlusion

Studies of the rock shrimp, Sicyonia brevirostris, a new fishery resource on Florida's Atlantic shelf

(Document has 69 pages.

Phyllosilicates as earth-abundant layered materials for electronics and optoelectronics: Prospects and challenges in their ultrathin limit

Phyllosilicate minerals are an emerging class of naturally occurring layered insulators with large bandgap energy that have gained attention from the scientific community. This class of lamellar materials has been recently explored at the ultrathin two-dimensional level due to their specific mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and optoelectronic properties, which are crucial for engineering novel devices (including heterostructures). Due to these properties, phyllosilicates minerals can be considered promising low-cost nanomaterials for future applications. In this Perspective article, we will present relevant features of these materials for their use in potential 2D-based electronic and optoelectronic applications, also discussing some of the major challenges in working with them.Comment: 29 pages, 4 figure

Diagnosis of pericardial effusion with a new generation hand-carried ultrasound device in cardiothoracic intensive care unit patients

Background: Technological advances introduced hand-carried ultrasound (HCU) imagers in daily clinical workflow providing several benefits such as fast bedside availability and prompt diagnosis. Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic yield of a latest generation HCU imager compared to contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for the detection of pericardial effusion (PE) in cardiothoracic intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Material and Methods: Thirty-six patients from a cardiothoracic ICU were enrolled to this study irrespective of their underlying disease. All patients were examined with a new generation HCU for the presence of PE. Definite diagnosis of PE was based on findings of MDCT as standard of reference. Statistical analysis was performed using PASW 18. Results: PE was identified in 20 patients by MDCT (prevalence 56%). The HCU examination was carried out technically successfully in all patients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of HCU for the diagnosis of PE were 75%, 88%, 88%, and 74%, respectively. Conclusion: HCU provides rapid, practical, reliable, and cost-effective diagnosis of PE in patients on cardiothoracic ICU