International angiology : a journal of the International Union of Angiology
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Observational Study
Pycnogenol® and Centella asiatica in the management of asymptomatic atherosclerosis progression.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the nutritional supplements Pycnogenol® and total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica (TTFCA) on atherosclerosis progression in low-risk asymptomatic subjects with carotid or femoral stenosing plaques. ⋯ Pycnogenol® and the combination of Pycnogenol® +TTFCA appear to reduce the progression of subclinical arterial plaques and the progression to clinical stages. The reduction in plaque and clinical progression was associated with a reduction in oxidative stress. The results justify a large, randomized, controlled study to demonstrate the efficacy of the combined Pycnogenol® and TTFCA prophylactic therapy in preclinical atherosclerosis.
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Micro-lightguide spectrophotometry (O2C®) provides easily and rapidly measurable parameters of tissue microcirculation. The aim of this study was to assess whether micro-lightguide spectrophotometer (O2C®) based parameters of the tissue microcirculation can serve as predictors of ulcer healing. Furthermore, we tried to identify cut off values to forecast patient outcome and check other diagnostic meanings of individual O2C-parameters. ⋯ The O2C®-parameters SO2 and flow provide prognostic information for ulcer healing as well as for amputation-free survival, and rHB adds information about a possible arterial or arteriovenous genesis of an ulcer.
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Comparative Study
Regional intensity of neurosurgical care and integration of aneurysm coiling in the United States.
There is wide regional variability in the volume of procedures performed for similar surgical patients throughout the United States. We investigated the association of the intensity of neurosurgical care with the diffusion of the novel technology of cerebral aneurysm coiling. ⋯ We observed significant disparities in the rate of coiling in the United States. Increased intensity of neurosurgical care was positively associated with the integration of coiling in treatment of cerebral aneurysms.
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Review Meta Analysis
Dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban for extended venous thromboembolism treatment: network meta-analysis.
Many new oral anticoagulants (NOACs; dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban) are currently available to treat thromboembolic disease. There are no head-to-head trials comparing these agents. To assess the efficacy and safety of NOACs for prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE), we performed a network meta-analysis. ⋯ There were no significant differences in risk for recurrent VTE, major bleeding, or all-cause mortality between the NOACs. However, apixaban 2.5 mg BID was associated with less clinically significant non-major bleeding than either rivaroxaban 20 mg daily or dabigatran 150 mg BID.