These data suggest that human endothelium, a key component of all vital organs, is receptive to protection by sevoflurane in vivo. Peri-ischemic administration of sevoflurane mimics a combination of pharmacologic preconditioning and postconditioning and protects at even low sedative concentrations (< 1 vol%). Inhibition of leukocyte adhesion is likely to be involved in the protection.

A prospective, randomized clinical trial was performed in order to assess the efficacy and side-effects of commonly used topical anaesthesia methods in adults receiving peripheral venous cannulation. The study was double-blinded to the degree that the methodologies allowed. One hundred and fifty healthy adults undergoing elective surgery were allocated at random to five groups: EMLA cream, ethyl chloride spray, intracutaneous infiltration with 2% lidocaine, placebo cream and no treatment. Venipuncture was performed with a 18G cannula on the dorsal side of the hand. Puncture pain and pain caused by the topical treatment itself were measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS, range: 0-100 mm). Haemodynamic response, difficulties in performing the puncture and side-effects were recorded. All analgesic techniques were well tolerated. Haemodynamic response and degree of puncture difficulty showed no differences among the groups. Puncture pain (median mrnVAS) following infiltration (1.0) and EMLA (10.0) was significantly lower than no treatment (30.0) or placebo (30.0). The benefit of local infiltration was altered by injection pain (11.5). Spray did not significantly lower puncture pain (26.5) and, in addition, was associated with discomfort (10.5). In adults, EMLA cream significantly reduces puncture pain and represents an acceptable alternate method for topical anaesthesia in venous cannulation. Local lidocaine infiltration is impaired by applicational pain, whereas spraying the puncture site with ethyl chloride has no analgesic benefit.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality that correlates with peripheral perfusion impairment as assessed by the anklebrachial arterial pressure index (ABI). Furthermore, PAD is associated with arterial stiffness and elevated aortic augmentation index (AIx). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether ABI impairment correlates with AIx and subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR), a measure of cardiac perfusion during diastole. AIx and SEVR were assessed by radial applanation tonometry in 65 patients with stable PAD (Rutherford stage I-III) at a tertiary referral center. AIx corrected for heart rate and SEVR were tested in a multivariate linear and logistic regression model to determine the association with ABI. Mean ABI was 0.8AE0.2, AIx 31%AE7%, and SEVR 141%AE26%. Multiple linear regression with AIx as a dependent variable revealed that AIx was significantly negatively associated with ABI (b=)11.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], )18.6 to )4.5; P=.002). Other variables that were associated with AIx were diastolic blood pressure (b=0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.4; P<.001), height (b=)46.2; 95% CI, )62.9 to )29.4; P<.001), body mass index (b=)0.4; 95% CI, )0.8 to )0.1; P=.023), and smoking (b=3.6; 95% CI, 0.6-6.6; P=.019). Multiple regression with SEVR as a dependent variable showed a significant correlation with ABI (b=33.2; 95% CI, 2.3-64.1; P=.036). Severity of lower limb perfusion impairment is related to central aortic pressure augmentation and to subendocardial viability ratio. This may be a potential pathophysiologic link that impacts cardiac prognosis in patients with PAD.

Treatment with 2500 IU dalteparin subcutaneously given for 3 months after femoropopliteal PTA failed to reduce restenosis/reocclusion at 12 months. However, dalteparin may be beneficial in the subgroup of patients with CLI at 12 months follow-up.

GSV and an occlusion of all treated SSV. One pulmonary embolism had occurred. Mean patient's satisfaction was 8.7 (10=very satisfied), pain after one week 2.0 (no pain=0, maximal=10) and absence of work was 0.9 day (range 0-14 days).Conclusions: RFA for incompetent saphenous veins can safely be performed in an outpatient setting with a low complication rate, minimal pain and fast recovery.

No abstract

A retrospective analysis of 332 children with osteomyelitis (OM), managed from 1966 to 1996, was undertaken to evaluate etiology, clinical course and treatment results. In 64% of all patients positive bacterial cultures were obtained, Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, pneumococci, and Haemophilus influenzae were the most frequently cultured pathogens. In two-thirds of the cases long bones (femur, tibia, humerus) were affected. Osteoarthritis or suppurative arthritis was evident in 27%; 32 of 170 (19%) re-evaluated patients had moderate or severe sequelae. Risk factors for an unfavorable course were the onset of disease in early infancy, suppurative arthritis, and an affected epiphysis. Suppurative arthritis, in particular, needs early evacuation to prevent sequelae. In recent years we observed an increasing number of patients presenting with atypical forms of OM. Since 1989 10 patients were considered to have chronic recurrent multifocal OM (CRMO). In 6 of them the clavicle was involved; their ages ranged from 3 to 14 years. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated (median 48, range 9-110 mm), while other inflammatory parameters like C-reactive protein (median 9, range <5-85 mg/l) or leucocyte count were slightly elevated or normal. Histopathology was stage-dependent, with a predominance of lymphoplasmacellular infiltration. A nonbacterial origin of CRMO is probable but not proven. Histopathology is not suitable for differentiation between bacterial and nonbacterial forms of bone inflammation.

Vascular malformations are congenital anomalies that can affect each part of the vasculature. Combined forms are common and they are often part of complex syndromes. Most malformations are diagnosed during infancy, but some get obvious only later in life. The field of vascular malformations is emerging with recently described new entities and treatments. Still, misdiagnosis is common in this field, leading to nosologic confusion and wrong treatment. Clinical evaluation and imaging are the gold standard for diagnostic confirmation. Sclerotherapy and embolization are the main treatment techniques but are also used preoperatively to reduce blood loss and shrink the lesion if surgery is planned. Despite new treatment options, especially if extensive in size or involving vulnerable structures, vascular malformations are still considered chronic diseases and cause significant morbidity. Common understanding and agreement on terminology and a multidisciplinary approach are the basis of successful treatment and long-term support for these patients. Continuing research in the field of vascular anomalies will improve knowledge and create further treatment options.