1/8. atherectomy tools for arterial treatment.When considering limb salvage in patients with failed bypass or angioplasty, the threshold for cost effective use of atherectomy devices is important. Rotational ablation, in these cases, has offered a significant contribution to patient care. Decreased hospital stay, morbidity and mortality, plus improved quality of life are all factors in the calculation. Interventional radiologists, vascular surgeons and interventional cardiologists aim to maintain function, not to perfectly restore original anatomy. In this respect, percutaneous rotational ablation has a role as a useful device when indicated. Indications should include consideration of the pattern of disease and underlying pathology as much as the site and selection of the lesion. The Rotablator may be the device of choice in many coronary cases and it is an important device in planning peripheral revascularization procedures. It provides an option for patients and physicians who wish to achieve minimal invasion with the best possible results.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/8. peripheral arterial disease is only the tip of the atherosclerotic "iceberg".The peripheral vascular system makes up the largest single "organ system" and holds many biological secrets that, when unlocked, can open doors for new treatments for all vascular beds, including those of the coronary and cerebral arteries. The coronary and noncoronary circulations are inseparable and interdependent. Cardiologists as well as primary care physicians should have a global view in the management of patients with PAD. The treatment of atherosclerosis in any of the arterial beds is a multifactorial problem. PAD is underrecognized. Antiplatelet and lipid-lowering therapy is underutilized in patients with PAD. Clopidogrel, an antiplatelet drug, has proven to prevent adverse cardiovascular events in patients with PAD. Therapeutic angiogenesis has been reported to improve severe claudication.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/8. Electronic stethoscope for detection of cerebral aneurysm, vasospasm and arterial disease.A specially designed acoustic stethoscope electronic-computer-analysis system has repeatedly detected and identified angiographically demonstrated anteriorly located intracranial aneurysms by their characteristic signals. The system has detected and measured clinically significant disease in the carotid siphon and bifurcation, even in cases with normal angiograms, and has recorded the onset and disappearance of cerebral vasospasm. Our data suggests that an aneurysm may act as a flexible Helmholtz resonator, possibly being driven by vortex shed or turbulence. Our goal is the development of a safe, non-invasive method by which the physician could investigate warning symptoms of aneurysms, cerebral vasospasm, and arterial disease in order to recommend preventive surgery or medical treatment early before the patient's condition might deteriorate. Individual cases, falsely positive and negative results are discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/8. abdominal pain, atherosclerosis, and atrial fibrillation. The case for mesenteric ischemia.DT, a 63-year-old white male with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and severe peripheral vascular disease, was admitted with a five-day history of vague abdominal pain and diarrhea. On the day of admission he vomited three times, was noted to have a bloody stool, and came to the emergency room. DT denied hematemesis, fever, or chills. He had bilateral leg amputations and had sustained three myocardial infarctions, the last one 15 months before this admission. He had never experienced symptoms of abdominal angina. Of significance was his history of congestive heart failure, mitral regurgitation, and atrial fibrillation. His medications on admission included digoxin 0.25mg per day, furosemide 40mg per day, and NPH insulin 15 units per day. On admission to the hospital his oral temperature was 38 degrees C, pulse was 90/min, respiratory rate was 24/min, and blood pressure was 134/80mmHg. Abdominal examination revealed a distended abdomen with hypoactive bowel sounds and mild tenderness. Chest x ray revealed cardiomegaly. The electrocardiogram demonstrated atrial fibrillation. A plain film of the abdomen was positive for gallstones and edema of the bowel wall (thumb-printing). Laboratory results included blood urea nitrogen 48mg%, creatinine 1.2mg%, hemoglobin 18g/dl, and hematocrit 52.9%. White blood cell count was 11,900 cells/cc with 33% polymorphonuclear leukocytes, 47% bands, 8% lymphocytes, 11% monocytes, and 1% atypical lymphocytes. The prime considerations for differential diagnosis were mesenteric ischemia and infectious gastroenteritis. While it was appreciated that mesenteric ischemia, if present, might warrant surgical intervention, the risk of anesthesia itself in this patient was felt by his attending physicians to exceed 30%. Furthermore, the clinical findings were only "suggestive" of mesenteric eschemia. They were certainly not "diagnostic." In view of this dilemma, a consultation with the Division of Clinical decision making was requested.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/8. Cardiac and arterial hypertrophy and atherosclerosis in hypertension.Clinical evaluation of the hypertensive patient has traditionally relied on physician measurement of blood pressure and assessment of target-organ involvement by simple laboratory tests. However, this approach is limited in its ability to identify individual patients at high or low risk of complications. In recent years, noninvasive methods have been developed to identify pathological transformations of the heart and arteries that collectively comprise "preclinical hypertensive disease." Measurements by echocardiogram or other methods of left ventricular mass and relative wall thickness identify a spectrum of cardiac adaptations to hypertension, including concentric and eccentric hypertrophy, the recently described pattern of "concentric left ventricular remodeling" (normal mass but increased relative wall thickness), and normal ventricular geometry. In clinical studies, each anatomic pattern is associated with a distinct profile of resting hemodynamics, ambulatory blood pressure, myocardial contractility, and risk of adverse outcomes. Ultrasonic imaging of the carotid or other arteries makes it possible to detect increased arterial wall thickness and discrete atheromas noninvasively. Carotid wall thickness and lumen diameter parallel similar ventricular dimensions in normotensive and hypertensive humans, indicating the presence of integrated patterns of cardiac and vascular adaptation to hypertension. Furthermore, peripheral atherosclerosis is associated with higher ventricular mass and a more adverse 24-hour blood pressure profile. In summary, noninvasive visualization of the heart and blood vessels reveals a spectrum of patterns of anatomic and functional adaptations that are related to the pathophysiology and prognosis of hypertension.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/8. Interphysician agreement in the diagnosis of subtypes of acute ischemic stroke: implications for clinical trials. The TOAST Investigators.To test interphysician agreement on the diagnosis of subtype of ischemic stroke, we sent subtype definitions and 18 case summaries (clinical features and pertinent laboratory data) to 24 neurologists who have a special interest in stroke, and asked them to determine the most likely subtype diagnosis. The overall agreement was 0.64 (Kappa [K] = 0.54). Interphysician agreement was highest for the diagnoses of stroke secondary to cardioembolism (K = 0.75) or to large-artery atherosclerosis (K = 0.69). Individual physicians varied widely; four agreed with the consensus diagnosis in all 18 cases, while six others disagreed with the consensus diagnosis in three to five cases. Our level of interphysician agreement is greater than that reported in other studies and was substantial. However, despite using subtype definitions and being given extensive information often not available in the acute setting, physicians still disagree about the etiology of stroke, particularly in regard to stroke due to small-artery occlusion or of undetermined etiology. physicians seem reluctant not to attribute stroke to a specific etiology. The uncertainty about subtype diagnosis will affect interpretation of the results of clinical trials in patients selected by the subtype of ischemic stroke and also suggests that results of treatment as affected by subtype should be cautiously interpreted unless efforts to assure uniformity are included in the trial's operations. Refinement of algorithms for determining subtype of ischemic stroke do improve interphysician agreement. Such criteria should be applied strictly, and trials should include measures to assure the most uniform diagnosis of stroke subtype possible.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 10keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/8. Microembolization from atheroembolic disease or aneurysm. A case study.cyanosis of the digits may have several etiologies ranging from trauma to connective tissue disease; however, the most common cause of the so-called blue toe syndrome is atheroembolic disease or aneurysm and is frequently misdiagnosed on initial presentation. Pedal pulses are often palpable which may misdirect the physician from a diagnosis of vascular pathology. Furthermore, the proximal source of embolic shower may be far from the sight of symptoms. Noninvasive vascular testing, peripheral angiography, abdominal and popliteal ultrasonography, and echocardiography are all techniques that may be beneficial in discovering the origin of emboli. Atheroembolisms and aneurysms can be limb-threatening or life-threatening and hence early diagnosis is imperative.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/8. The difficulties of differentiating vasculitis from its mimics.The signs and symptoms of vasculitis are not specific, and tests for confirming the diagnosis can be misleading. Thus, when considering a diagnosis of vasculitis, physicians need to keep an open mind. With a case vignette, the author illustrates some of the difficulties in diagnosing "vasculitis."- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |