Sequential Stem Cell-Kidney Transplantation in Schimke Immuno-osseous Dysplasia

Lifelong immunosuppression is required for allograft survival after kidney transplantation but may not ultimately prevent allograft loss resulting from chronic rejection. We developed an approach that attempts to abrogate immune rejection and the need for post-transplantation immunosuppression in three patients with Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia who had both T-cell immunodeficiency and renal failure. Each patient received sequential transplants of αβ T-cell-depleted and CD19 B-cell-depleted haploidentical hematopoietic stem cells and a kidney from the same donor. Full donor hematopoietic chimerism and functional ex vivo T-cell tolerance was achieved, and the patients continued to have normal renal function without immunosuppression at 22 to 34 months after kidney transplantation. (Funded by the Kruzn for a Kure Foundation.).

Concentric ballooned catheterization to the fractional non-newtonian hybrid nano blood flow through a stenosed aneurysmal artery with heat transfer

The current work analyzes the effects of concentric ballooned catheterization and heat transfer on the hybrid nano blood flow through diseased arterial segment having both stenosis and aneurysm along its boundary. A fractional second-grade fluid model is considered which describes the non-Newtonian characteristics of the blood. Governing equations are linearized under mild stenosis and mild aneurysm assumptions. Precise articulations for various important flow characteristics such as heat transfer, hemodynamic velocity, wall shear stress, and resistance impedance are attained. Graphical portrayals for the impact of the significant parameters on the flow attributes have been devised. The streamlines of blood flow have been examined as well. The present finding is useful for drug conveyance system and biomedicines.

Chelation therapy for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND

Chelation therapy is promoted and practiced around the world as a form of alternative medicine in the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It has been suggested as a safe, relatively inexpensive, non-surgical method of restoring blood flow in atherosclerotic vessels. However, there is currently limited high-quality, adequately-powered research informing evidence-based medicine on the topic, specifically regarding clinical outcomes. Due to this limited evidence, the benefit of chelation therapy remains controversial at present. This is an update of a review first published in 2002.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) chelation therapy versus placebo or no treatment on clinical outcomes among people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

SEARCH METHODS

For this update, the Cochrane Vascular Information Specialist searched the Cochrane Vascular Specialised Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases, the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov trials register to 6 August 2019. We searched the bibliographies of the studies retrieved by the literature searches for further trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included studies if they were randomised controlled trials of EDTA chelation therapy versus placebo or no treatment in participants with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The main outcome measures we considered include all-cause or cause-specific mortality, non-fatal cardiovascular events, direct or indirect measurement of disease severity, and subjective measures of improvement or adverse events.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed trial quality using standard Cochrane procedures. A third author considered any unresolved issues, and we discussed any discrepancies until a consensus was reached. We contacted study authors for additional information.

MAIN RESULTS

We included five studies with a total of 1993 randomised participants. Three studies enrolled participants with peripheral vascular disease and two studies included participants with coronary artery disease, one of which specifically recruited people who had had a myocardial infarction. The number of participants in each study varied widely (from 10 to 1708 participants), but all studies compared EDTA chelation to a placebo. Risk of bias for the included studies was generally moderate to low, but one study had high risk of bias because the study investigators broke their randomisation code halfway through the study and rolled the placebo participants over to active treatment. Certainty of the evidence, as assessed by GRADE, was generally low to very low, which was mostly due to a paucity of data in each outcome's meta-analysis. This limited our ability to draw any strong conclusions. We also had concerns about one study's risk of bias regarding blinding and outcome assessment that may have biased the results. Two studies with coronary artery disease participants reported no evidence of a difference in all-cause mortality between chelation therapy and placebo (risk ratio (RR) 0.97, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.28; 1792 participants; low-certainty). One study with coronary artery disease participants reported no evidence of a difference in coronary heart disease deaths between chelation therapy and placebo (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.48; 1708 participants; very low-certainty). Two studies with coronary artery disease participants reported no evidence of a difference in myocardial infarction (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.14; 1792 participants; moderate-certainty), angina (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.67; 1792 participants; very low-certainty), and coronary revascularisation (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.07 to 3.25; 1792 participants). Two studies (one with coronary artery disease participants and one with peripheral vascular disease participants) reported no evidence of a difference in stroke (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.92; 1867 participants; low-certainty). Ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI; also known as ankle brachial index) was measured in three studies, all including participants with peripheral vascular disease; two studies found no evidence of a difference in the treatment groups after three months after treatment (mean difference (MD) 0.02, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.06; 181 participants; low-certainty). A third study reported an improvement in ABPI in the EDTA chelation group, but this study was at high risk of bias. Meta-analysis of maximum and pain-free walking distances three months after treatment included participants with peripheral vascular disease and showed no evidence of a difference between the treatment groups (MD -31.46, 95% CI -87.63 to 24.71; 165 participants; 2 studies; low-certainty). Quality of life outcomes were reported by two studies that included participants with coronary artery disease, but we were unable to pool the data due to different methods of reporting and varied criteria. However, there did not appear to be any major differences between the treatment groups. None of the included studies reported on vascular deaths. Overall, there was no evidence of major or minor adverse events associated with EDTA chelation treatment.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is currently insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of chelation therapy in improving clinical outcomes of people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. More high-quality, randomised controlled trials are needed that assess the effects of chelation therapy on longevity and quality of life among people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Experimentally validated simulation of coronary stents considering different dogboning ratios and asymmetric stent positioning

In-stent restenosis remains a major problem of arteriosclerosis treatment by stenting. Expansion-optimized stents could reduce this problem. With numerical simulations, stent designs/ expansion behaviours can be effectively analyzed. For reasons of efficiency, simplified models of balloon-expandable stents are often used, but their accuracy must be challenged due to insufficient experimental validation. In this work, a realistic stent life-cycle simulation has been performed including balloon folding, stent crimping and free expansion of the balloon-stent-system. The successful simulation and validation of two stent designs with homogenous and heterogeneous stent stiffness and an asymmetrically positioned stent on the balloon catheter confirm the universal applicability of the simulation approach. Dogboning ratio, as well as the final dimensions of the folded balloon, the crimped and expanded stent, correspond well to the experimental dimensions with only slight deviations. In contrast to the detailed stent life-cycle simulation, a displacement-controlled simulation can not predict the transient stent expansion, but is suitable to reproduce the final expanded stent shape and the associated stress states. The detailed stent life-cycle simulation is thus essential for stent expansion analysis/optimization, whereas for reasons of computational efficiency, the displacement-controlled approach can be considered in the context of pure stress analysis.

Complexity in disease management: A linked data analysis of multimorbidity in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal patients hospitalised with atherothrombotic disease in Western Australia

BACKGROUND

Hospitalisation for atherothrombotic disease (ATD) is expected to rise in coming decades. However, increasingly, associated comorbidities impose challenges in managing patients and deciding appropriate secondary prevention. We investigated the prevalence and pattern of multimorbidity (presence of two or more chronic conditions) in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Western Australian residents with ATDs.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We used population-based de-identified linked administrative health data from 1 January 2000 to 30 June 2014 to identify a cohort of patients aged 25-59 years admitted to Western Australian hospitals with a discharge diagnosis of ATD. The prevalence of common chronic diseases in these patients was estimated and the patterns of comorbidities and multimorbidities empirically explored using two different approaches: identification of the most commonly occurring pairs and triplets of comorbid diseases, and through latent class analysis (LCA). Half of the cohort had multimorbidity, although this was much higher in Aboriginal people (Aboriginal: 79.2% vs. non-Aboriginal: 39.3%). Only a quarter were without any documented comorbidities. Hypertension, diabetes, alcohol abuse disorders and acid peptic diseases were the leading comorbidities in the major comorbid combinations across both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cohorts. The LCA identified four and six distinct clinically meaningful classes of multimorbidity for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal patients, respectively. Out of the six groups in non-Aboriginal patients, four were similar to the groups identified in Aboriginal patients. The largest proportion of patients (33% in Aboriginal and 66% in non-Aboriginal) was assigned to the "minimally diseased" (or relatively healthy) group, with most patients having less than two conditions. Other groups showed variability in degree and pattern of multimorbidity.

CONCLUSION

Multimorbidity is common in ATD patients and the comorbidities tend to interact and cluster together. Physicians need to consider these in their clinical practice. Different treatment and secondary prevention strategies are likely to be useful for management in these cluster groups.

The differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to vascular cells regulated by the HMGB1/RAGE axis: its application in cell therapy for transplant arteriosclerosis

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation shows promise for treating transplant arteriosclerosis, at least partly via promoting endothelial regeneration. However, the efficacy and safety are still under investigation especially regarding recent findings that neointimal smooth muscle cells are derived from MSC-like cells. The high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)/receptor for advanced glycation end-product (RAGE) axis is involved in regulating proliferation, migration, and differentiation of MSCs, and therefore it can be presumably applied to improve the outcome of cell therapy. The aim of the current study was to investigate this hypothesis.

METHODS

Rat MSCs were treated with HMGB1 or modified with HMGB1 vectors to activate the HMGB1/RAGE axis. RAGE was targeted and inhibited by specific short hairpin RNA vectors. We assessed the capacity for cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation after vector transfection in vitro and in a rat model of transplant arteriosclerosis. The expression of CD31 and α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) was determined to evaluate the differentiation of MSCs to endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells.

RESULTS

Exogenous HMGB1 treatment and transfection with HMGB1 vectors promoted MSC migration and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced differentiation to CD31+ cells while inhibiting their proliferation and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced differentiation to αSMA+ cells. Such an effect was blocked by RAGE knockdown. HMGB1-modified cells preferably migrated to graft neointima and differentiated to CD31+ cells along with significant relief of transplant arteriosclerosis and inhibition of HMGB1 and RAGE expression in graft vessels. RAGE knockdown inhibited cell migration to graft vessels.

CONCLUSIONS

HMGB1 stimulated MSCs to migrate and differentiate to endothelial cells via RAGE signaling, which we translated to successful application in cell therapy for transplant arteriosclerosis.

The Influence of Endovascular Techniques on Our Surgical Practice: A 10-Year View

Advances in catheter technology, gene identification, and cell biology may provide novel treatment options for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) who are not candidates for standard revascularization procedures. Animal studies and recent results in human beings suggest that transfer of growth factors or regulatory genes and transplantation of progenitor cells may provide novel therapy options by inducing therapeutic angiogenesis or by inhibiting restenosis. This review will discuss the development of a variety of catheters for localized endovascular delivery, as well as the various cellular and genetic strategies that exist to restore blood flow to ischemic tissue and to reduce neointimal hyperplasia.

A Simple Technique for Aortic Cannulation in Organ Donors with Advanced Aortic Disease

Cannulation of the abdominal aorta in organ donors with advanced arteriosclerotic disease or extensive trauma may be problematic owing to difficulty in securing a watertight tie around the diseased aorta, the danger of creating a false passageway in the aorta, and the risk of breaking off plaque particles that can advance into the arteries of donated organs. Cannulation problems can be avoided in these challenging donors by using a simplified technique for cannulation of the thoracic aorta in which a Foley catheter is passed down around the aortic arch, the balloon is inflated, and cool flushing is initiated.

[Assessment of the influence of the balneo-physiotherapeutic procedures on microcirculatory blood flow in patients with occlusive diseases of the great arteries]

Assessment of the influence of the balneo-physiotherapeutic procedures on microcirculatory blood flow in patients with occlusive diseases of the great arteries. A comprehensive program of rehabilitation treatment of patients with atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities, including over venous laser light, gradient magnetic field on the collar region and calf muscles, dry carbon dioxide baths alternating with baths with horse chestnut. The program is pathogenetically justified the use of its high-performance, regardless of the predominance of a clinical syndrome. This allows recommending it for widespread use in clinical practice, including sanatorium conditions. Some methods that are included in a comprehensive program, in accordance with the proposed algorithm can be used in patients with atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities with the predominance of individual symptom complex.

CryoPlasty Therapy of the Superficial Femoral and Popliteal Arteries: A Single Center Experience

Long-term patency remains a significant hurdle in the minimally invasive treatment of arteriosclerosis in the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries. New technologies designed to address the sources of restenosis have recently been introduced. CryoPlasty therapy (Boston Scientific, Natick, Mass) is a new approach designed to significantly reduce injury, elastic recoil, stent implantation, neointimal hyperplasia, and constrictive remodeling. The technique combines the dilatation forces of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with cold thermal energy applied to the plaque and vessel wall. The cumulative effect of limiting the sources of restenosis with CryoPlasty therapy was shown to demonstrate longer term patency in a prospective, multicenter, Investigational Device Exemption study of the PolarCath Peripheral Dilatation System. The CryoPlasty therapy experience of 1 center is reported, in which 47 lesions in 32 consecutive patients (34 procedures, 33 limbs) were treated. The technical success rate was 96%. There were no type 3 flow-limiting dissections, and only 4 (8.5%) lesions were stented. There were no unanticipated adverse events, specifically no thrombus, acute occlusions, distal embolizations, aneurysms, or groin complications. With an average follow-up of 12 months, only 5 lesions have recurred, 4 requiring re-intervention. The 12-month freedom from restenosis for lesions and limbs treated was 82.2% and 84.4%, respectively. These results are similar to the findings of the Investigational Device Exemption study and are encouraging. CryoPlasty therapy appears to be a viable endovascular therapeutic option to achieve longer term patency without compromising options for future interventions. The lack of early occlusions may be due to a low rate of spiral dissection that may be a particular benefit of this form of angioplasty.

Technological Advances in the Design of Catheters and Devices Used in Renal Artery Interventions: Impact on Complications

Purpose:

To analyze the impact of technical improvements in stent devices and guiding catheters (e.g., reduced device diameter, increased flexibility) on the complication rates associated with percutaneous renal artery interventions.

Methods:

During a 5-year period (1997–2001), 268 consecutive patients (178 men; mean age 67±9 years) had 370 atherosclerotic renal artery stenoses (RAS) ≥70% treated with angioplasty/stenting in 320 procedures. The guiding catheter technique was used routinely until 2000; in 2001, a guiding sheath was used in 29% of cases. From 1997 to 2000, sealing devices were frequently used for sheath removal; during the last year, the sheaths were removed using the Femostop device.

Results:

In 320 interventions, 32 (10%) complications occurred, with a decreasing frequency during the last 2 years (1996/97: 13% [7/53]; 1998: 16% [9/57]; 1999: 15% [11/74]; 2000: 4% [3/70]; 2001: 3% [2/66]). There were 21 (6.6%) local complications, including 4 cases requiring permanent hemodialysis after the intervention and 11 (3.4%) access site complications. No procedure-related death occurred. During the study period, the average sheath diameter was reduced from 8.15±0.76 F to 6.15±0.63 F (p<0.05). Mean procedural time was reduced from 42±13 minutes to 23±11 minutes (p<0.05). The initial heparin dose was reduced from 10,000 to 5000 units.

Conclusions:

In parallel with the use of more flexible catheters and premounted stents of lower profile, the complication rate of renal angioplasty/stenting of atherosclerotic RAS has been reduced significantly during a 5-year period.

Medical Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Therapeutic Algorithm

Over half of the people with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) may be asymptomatic. The most common symptom of mild-to-moderate PAD is intermittent claudication, present in about one third of symptomatic patients. Patients with intermittent claudication often have severely impaired functional status. Despite the high prevalence of the disease and the strong association with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, patients with PAD are less likely to receive appropriate treatment for their atherosclerotic risk factors than are those being treated for coronary artery disease. The goals of treatment are to prevent progression of systemic atherosclerosis and its associated morbidity and mortality, to prevent limb loss, and to improve functional capacity for symptomatic patients. For claudicating patients, medical management includes symptomatic treatment with cilostazol or pentoxifylline. For all patients, it is equally important to pursue risk reduction through exercise programs and promotion of smoking cessation, as well as with the use of statins, antiplatelet therapies, antithrombotic strategies, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, and attention to homocysteine levels. Because not all patients are symptomatic, medical management of peripheral arterial disease may proceed along an algorithmic pathway that recognizes 3 types of patients: those requiring risk reduction only, symptomatic patients with minimal lifestyle limitation, and symptomatic patients with significant lifestyle impairment.

Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty of Supra-aortic Vessels

Purpose:

To retrospectively review the techniques and results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in the supra-aortic vessels.

Methods:

Over a 5-year period, 112 patients underwent percutaneous treatment of 151 lesions in the innominate, subclavian, carotid, and vertebral arteries. The percutaneous technique included standard retrograde femoral artery access in the majority of patients with balloon dilation of the lesion site. In the more recently treated patients, stents were deployed for suboptimal PTA; primary stent deployment was used rarely. Symptom resolution and > 50% increase in flow were criteria necessary for a successful procedure.

Results:

In this population, 141 (93%) of 151 lesions were successfully treated. PTA achieved 100% success in stenotic lesions in the internal (n = 9) and external (n = 2) carotid; common carotid (n = 8); subclavian (n = 67); and innominate (n = 13) arteries. Ninety-two percent (36/39) of vertebral artery stenoses were successfully treated. In 13 cases of subclavian occlusion, however, only 6 (46%) were recanalized. There were 3 periprocedural complications, but only 1 was major; a focal stroke manifesting as right arm weakness occurred in a patient with left common carotid PTA and stenting. Five cases of reocclusion have been seen in 5 years of follow-up. All occurred in the subclavian artery, and 3 of the 5 were in arteries originally occluded.

Conclusions:

Brachiocephalic PTA can achieve excellent immediate and long-term results in proximal stenoses. Subclavian occlusions do not respond well to PTA, and those successfully recanalized have a high restenosis rate (50%). PTA of the arch vessel branches, particularly the vertebral artery, should be attempted only by experienced interventionists. Atherosclerotic lesions in the internal carotid arteries are best treated with endarterectomy at present, but fibromuscular dysplasia in the carotid arteries is an appropriate indication for PTA therapy.

Penetrating Atherosclerotic Ulcers of the Descending Thoracic Aorta May Be Managed Expectantly

The natural history of penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers (PAUs) of the descending thoracic aorta remains unclear. Between January 1996 and June 2000, PAU was diagnosed in 36 patients (16 men, 20 women; mean age 74.9 ± 1.5 years) at Washington University. Imaging studies and hospital records were reviewed. Late follow-up was by search of the Social Security Death Index and telephone interview. None of 16 asymptomatic patients underwent operation. At follow-up (median 457 days), 6 patients had died of unrelated and 2 of unknown causes. Among 20 symptomatic patients, 10 had associated intramural hematoma (5) or dissection (5), of whom 3 underwent operation. At median follow-up (448 days), the 7 unoperated patients remained alive without an aortic operation. Among the remaining 10 symptomatic patients, 3 had an aortic operation and 2 died of unknown causes during follow-up (median 586 days). These data suggest that, in selected cases, PAU may be managed expectantly with careful observation.

[Optimization of organizational approaches to management of patients with atherosclerosis]

Despite undoubted achievements of modern cardiology in prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, cardiologists, neurologists, and vascular surgeons are still facing severe stenotic atherosclerotic lesions in different vascular regions, both symptomatic and asymptomatic. As a rule hemodynamically significant stenoses of different locations are found after development of acute vascular events. In this regard, active detection of arterial stenoses localized in different areas just at primary contact of patients presenting with symptoms of ischemia of various locations with care providers appears to be crucial. Further monitoring of these stenoses is also important. The article is dedicated to innovative organizational approaches to provision of healthcare to patients suffering from circulatory system diseases that have contributed to improvement of demographic situation in Kuzbass.

[Arteriosclerosis--selected aspects]

The article summarizes the current knowledge concerning the diagnosis of atherosclerosis and therapeutic objectives. Atherosclerosis is one of the most common medical problems. It affects adults as well as children. It leads to clinically overt cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which are the cause of premature deaths. During its course, the formation of atherosclerotic plaque takes place, along with local inflammations artery walls. Gradually growing plaque does not cause clinical symptoms until the stenosis does not exceed 70-80% of the coronary vessel diameter, causing a marked reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle. The prevention of atherosclerosis and its complications requires an individual assessment of cardiovascular risk. In people without CVD symptoms, it is recommended to use SCORE risk card for Polish population, assessing the 10-year risk of cardiac death. A key element in combating atherosclerosis is to eliminate its risk factors by both implementing pro-health policies, as well as working with individual patients. An important objective is the proper control of blood pressure. It should not exceed 140/90 mmHg. A very important role is played by correct approach to patients with moderate or unusual cardiovascular risk. Despite knowing many facts about the mechanisms of atherosclerosis and its treatment, many issues still remain to be clarified. Finding methods to influence ongoing immune processes within arteries is of particular interest, which will soon make way to new therapeutic possibilities.

Effect of increased levels of adiponectin by administration of the adeno vector rAAV2/1-Acrp30 on glucose, lipid metabolism and ultrastructure of the aorta in Goto-Kakizaki rats with arteriosclerosis

BACKGROUND

We used recombinant adeno-associated virus vector of adiponectin (AAV2/1-Acrp30) to study the effects of increased levels of adioponectin (by the administration of rAAV2/1-Acrp30) on arteriosclerosis, glucose and lipid metabolism in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats with arteriosclerosis.

METHODS

Thirty GK rats with arteriosclerosis were divided into 3 equal groups: control group 1, control group 2 and the rAAV2/1-Acrp30-administered group. Saline, virus vector or rAAV2/1-Acrp30 (10 12 ng/ml) vector genomes administered to the rats in the corresponding group by intramuscular injection to the posterior limb by single administration, respectively. After 8 weeks, fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, serum insulin, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein were measured in each group, and the ultrastructure of the aorta was seen by light and electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Compared with control groups 1 and 2, in the rAAV2/1-Acrp30 group, there was a decrease in urine volume, fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein, and an increase in body weight and high-density lipoprotein (p< 0.05), while the level of serum insulin was not changed (p>0.05). Ultrastructure studies of the aorta showed that aortosclerosis in the rAAV2/1-Acrp30-administered group was less, and fewer lipid droplet vacuoles were seen in the vascular endothelial cytoplasm. Also various cell organelles and internal elastic lamina were seen, and there was no formation of lipid droplet and foam cells in the cytoplasm of the media of the smooth muscle.

CONCLUSION

Adiponectin could improve blood glucose and lipid parameters and decrease atherosclerosis in the aorta of GK rats.

Gold revolution--gold nanoparticles for modern medicine and surgery

Nanotechnology is a new and exciting branch of science which offers enormous potential for development of medicine and surgery. Gold nanoparticles (GNP) is just one of a variety of nano products which will be available for physician of the future. GNP will give us more effective treatments and diagnosis. We are able to conjugate GNP with peptides, drugs, and other molecules to gain astonishing effects. High quality, non-invasive imaging will inevitably lead to astonishing accuracy diagnostic tools with effective use during surgery. The same principles may be used in the future for drug delivery and thermal treatment of cancer. Detailed DNA detection and regulation may become everyday use technology, in medicine with support from GNP based tools. Bacterial diagnostics and nerve repair are relatively poorly researched areas of application of GNP with possibly astonishing therapeutic effects. Non-invasive clearance of arteriosclerotic plagues with GNP shows a great prospect for further development of minimally invasive surgery. However, before all of those tools will become available for clinicians, in depth toxicology research as well as transitional research and design have to be done to ensure safe clinical practice with maximal benefit for patients.

Recombinant-adeno-associated viral vector-mediated gene therapy for cardiovascular diseases

Adeno-associated virus is a kind of DNA defective parvovirus which is non-pathogenic. Recombinant-adeno-associated virus vector comes from wild-type non-pathogenic adeno-associated virus and is highly secure, and it also has the advantages of broad host range. Recombinant-adeno-associated virus vector has become a hot spot for gene therapy and is widely used in gene therapy for cardiovascular diseases, especially for hypertension, heart failure, arteriosclerosis, and myocardial infarction.

Delivery of TFPI-2 using ultrasound with a microbubble agent (SonoVue) inhibits intimal hyperplasia after balloon injury in a rabbit carotid artery model

Here we report a new, simple and efficient method by using ultrasound and a microbubble agent (SonoVue) for delivering a gene to balloon-injured carotid arteries for restenosis prophylaxis. The tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2) has been shown to inhibit the postinjury intimae hyperplasia in atherosclerotic vessels. New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 4 groups with 14 in each, a treatment control for balloon injury, a gene vehicle control, a gene delivery of TFPI-2 without using ultrasound and a gene delivery of TFPI-2 using ultrasound. After four weeks, the injured artery neointimal proliferation was significantly lower in the TFPI-2 group with ultrasound than the control groups (p < 0.01) according to the measurement of the mean luminal diameters by B-mode ultrasonography. The ratio of intimal/media area and the stenosis rate in the gene delivery facilitated by ultrasound were significantly lower than those of the nonultrasound gene delivering method (p < 0.01).

[The efficacy analysis of endovascular intervention therapy for transatlantic inter society consensus type C and type D femoropopliteal arteriosclerosis lesion]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of the endovascular intervention for transatlantic inter society consensus (TASC) type C and type D femoropopliteal artery disease.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis on 95 cases (98 lower limbs) with TASC type C and type D femoropopliteal artery arteriosclerosis lesion treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and/or primary stent implantation from January 2007 to April 2009. We used ankle brachial index (ABI), Fontaine stages, limb salvage percentage and primary patency to evaluate the efficacy of the endovascular intervention therapy.

RESULTS

The technical success rate of the 98 limbs was 94.9%, the perioperation mortality was 4.2% and the total amputation rate was 5.1%. 81 cases (84 limbs) were followed-up for a mean time of (13 ± 7) months, whose average ABI in dorsalis pedis artery and posterior tibial artery were 0.58 ± 0.22 and 0.60 ± 0.21 and increased 0.14 ± 0.25 and 0.13 ± 0.22 respectively than the ABI before intervention therapy. The statistical analysis showed a significant difference in ABI. The limbs of critical limb ischemia (CLI) were of 16.4% in the follow-up period and of 73.5% before the intervention therapy. The statistical results showed a significant difference in the percentage of CLI.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous endovascular intervention is an effective and minimally invasive method, and has a curative clinical efficacy to treat TASC type C and type D femoropopliteal artery disease.

[Effectiveness of percutaneous transluminal renal artery stenting in treating atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of percutaneous transluminal renal artery stenting (PTRAS) in treating atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS).

METHODS

A total of 69 patients with severe ARAS were treated with PTRAS between January 2002 and December 2008. There were 47 males and 22 females with an average age of 66.2 years (range, 42-88 years), including 66 cases of unilateral ARAS (single functional kidney, 1 case) and 3 cases of bilateral ARAS. Renal angiography revealed that the degree of renal artery stenosis was 70%-99%. Concomitant diseases included hypertension (67 cases), atherosclerosis obliterans (69 cases), coronary heart disease (34 cases), diabetes (44 cases), and hyperlipidemia (36 cases). Blood pressure, serum creatinine (sCr), and patency of the renal artery were measured to assess the effectiveness of PTRAS after 12 months.

RESULTS

The renal artery stent was successfully implanted in 68 patients and the technical success rate was 98.6%. One patient was converted to ilio-renal bypass because of intra-operative acute renal artery occlusion. One patient died of heart failure at 6 months after PTRAS, and 1 patient was lost at 3 months after PTRAS. The other 66 patients were followed up 32 months on average (range, 13-60 months). The blood pressure decreased significantly at 1 month and gained a further decrease at 12 months after PTRAS when compared with the preoperative ones [systolic blood pressure: (132 +/- 24) mm Hg vs (163 +/- 34) mm Hg, P < 0.05; diastolic blood pressure: (78 +/- 11) mm Hg vs. (89 +/- 17) mm Hg, P < 0.05; 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa]. Hypertension was cured in 4 cases (6.3%), improved in 52 cases (81.2%), failure in 8 cases (12.5%), and the overall benefit rate was 87.5%. The sCr level was stable after 12 months of PTRAS, showing no significant difference when compared with preoperative baseline [(107.8 +/- 35.4) micromol/L vs (104.1 +/- 33.8) micromol/L, P > 0.05]. Renal function was improved in 9 cases (13.6%), stable in 48 cases (72.8%), deterioration in 9 cases (13.6%), and the overall benefit rate was 86.4%. Instant restenosis found in 2 patients (3.0%) at 12 months after operation.

CONCLUSION

PTRAS is a safe and effective method to treat ARAS. It can control the blood pressure and stabilize the renal function in most ARAS patients. Long-term efficacy needs further investigation.

[The analysis to risk factors of affecting the long-term patency ratio of stent planted in arteriosclerosis subclavian artery]

OBJECTIVE

The discussion of risk factors of affecting the long-term patency ratio of stent planted in arteriosclerosis subclavian artery.

METHODS

To analyse the correlation between preprocedural white blood cell count, antiplatelet agents therapy, residual stenosis in the stent, the preprocedural lesion degree of subclavian artery, serum lipid, blood sugar, blood press et al, and long-term patency of stent by Logistic regression. To explore the significant difference in preprocedural white blood cell count (WBC), antiplatelet agents therapy, residual stenosis, the preprocedural lesion degree of subclavian artery, serum lipid, blood sugar, blood press and so on between non-patency group (15 patients) and patency group (139 patients). To compare the significant difference of patency ratio of stent at the end of the survey between higher WBC (> 7.08 × 10⁹/L) group (45 patients) and lower WBC (≤ 7.08 × 10⁹/L) group (109 patients) by χ²-test.

RESULTS

Among 154 stents planted in subclavian artery, the patency ratio of 1-year was 96.1% (148/154), and that of 3-year was 88.5% (69/78). The risk factors of the descended patency ratio of stent are respectively the increasing preprocedural white blood cell count, no antiplatelet agents therapy and residual stenosis [OR 3.135 (P < 0.001, 95%CI 1.781 - 5.519); OR 5.818 (P = 0.005, 95%CI 1.688 - 20.057) and OR 5.253 (P = 0.014, 95%CI 1.391 - 19.838)]. There is the significant difference in preprocedural WBC between non-patency group and patency group (t = -5.008, P < 0.001, (8.15 ± 1.59) × 10⁹/L (5.25 × 10⁹/L - 10.75 × 10⁹/L) vs (6.01 ± 1.36) × 10⁹/L (4.07 × 10⁹/L - 8.11 × 10⁹/L). And there are the significant differences in antiplatelet agents therapy and residual stenosis between them (P = 0.002 and P = 0.025). At the end of the survey, the patency ratio of stent in subclavian artery of higher and lower WBC group is respectively 71.1% (32/45) and 98.2% (107/109) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

It's sustainable antiplatelet agents therapy and decreased residual stenosis the stent that key elements to improve the long-term patency ratio of stent planted in subclavian artery. In addition, pay attention to that increasing white blood cell disturbs the long-term patency ratio of stent.

Randomised controlled trial of the treatment of hyperlipidaemia on progression of atherosclerosis

Two types of end-point measurement are presently available in clinical trials of the effect of treatment of hyperlipidaemia on cardiovascular disease; these are the incidence of clinical events and the arteriographic assessment of progression or regression of atherosclerosis. These approaches are briefly reviewed. In the present trial, 25 hyperlipidaemic men with symptomatic femoral atherosclerosis underwent biplanar femoral arteriography at baseline. They were then randomised into treatment and usual-care groups; treatment was individualized, comprising a lipid-lowering diet with cholestyramine, nicotinic acid or clofibrate as appropriate for the lipoprotein disorder. Mean cholesterol and triglyceride levels were 19% and 37% lower in the treatment group. Arteriography was repeated after a mean period of 19 months. With attention to blinding of observers, changes in arteriograms were quantitated using computerised image analysis and visual methods, and expressed both by patient and by arterial segment. All end-points were in conformity and showed a lower rate of progression of arterial disease in the treatment group, and a higher frequency of segmental regression in treated patients. In this small trial of patients with functionally-significant atherosclerosis, effective treatment of hyperlipidaemia favourably affected the course of the arterial disease.

[The use of a synthetic vascular artificial prosthesis or arterial homograft in cases of patients with the arteriosclerosis and terminal insufficiency of kidney cured by the kidney transplantation]

Arterial transplantations were practiced in the vascular surgery since the beginning of her formation but without successes in the distant observation. Transplantation of a kidney is a routine conduct in the treatment of the decadent incapacity of a kidney. The dissertation concerns a use of arterial allografts kept using a method of a cold ischaemia in the protective liquid or synthetic vascular dacron artificial limbs or PTFE used as arterial foot-bridges at patients with the atherosclerotic obstruction aortal-pelvic, treated with the kidney transplantation. The arterial transplant is created from the aorta, arteria iliacas common and externa, femoral arteries common and superficial. A tissue material is kept using the method of the cold ischaemia and practical as the aortal foot-bridge-femoral or aortal-two-femoral at classified earlier patients being subjecteds to transfusion. The other way of a transplantation of a kidney at patients with the arteriosclerosis is the realization earlier or one-temporarily the vascular foot-bridge with use of the synthetic artificial limb. It seems that vascular artificial limbs about enlarged resistance on the contagion should be used in such a case. Sonographic examinations with duplex doppler and angiography are performed in all cases. The analysis of such cures can make a creation of the most profitable algorithm of the conduct possible in cases of patients suffering from ischaemia of lower limbs and requiring a transplantation of a kidney because of its incapacity.

Effects of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and endovascular brachytherapy on vascular remodeling of human femoropopliteal artery: 2 years follow-up by noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess in vivo the long-term effects of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and endovascular brachytherapy (EVBT) on vessel wall by serial MRI.

METHODS

Twenty patients with symptomatic stenosis of the femoropopliteal artery were randomly assigned to PTA (n=10) or PTA+EVBT (n=10, 14Gy by gamma-source). High-resolution MRI was performed prior, at 24-hours, 3-months, and 24-months after intervention. MRI data were analyzed by an independent, blinded observer.

RESULTS

The effects of both procedures on vessel wall at 24-hours and 3-months have been reported. Despite similar percent decrease in lumen area between 3- and 24-months in both groups (-8% for PTA and -11% for PTA+EVBT), at 24-months lumen area gain compared to baseline was +30% in PTA versus +82% in PTA+EVBT (p<0.05). Total vessel area, which was increased at 24-hours and 3-months, returned to pre-treatment value in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated non-invasively that restenosis and inward remodeling after PTA are delayed by EVBT. At 24-months, patients treated with brachytherapy have larger lumen than those treated with PTA alone. The decrease in luminal and total vessel area between 3- and 24-months after EVBT indicates that the restenotic and remodeling process is not abolished but delayed with this therapy.

Targeting of Vulnerable Plaque Macrophages with Polymer-Based Nanostructures

Macrophages are key cellular elements of atherosclerotic plaque pathogenesis and are a significant risk factor for plaque rupture. Current diagnostic techniques for the detection of plaque macrophages are often limited by insufficient sensitivity and selectivity and have not reached broad clinical practice until now. Supramolecular nanometer-sized structures such as conjugates, nanoparticles, micelles, or vesicles built from novel polymers promise to be useful in cell-specific delivery and may be of particular value for the detection and treatment of vulnerable plaque macrophages. Key properties of polymer-based nanostructures are high stability, improved biocompatibility, long circulation half-lives, defined biodegradation, targeting moieties, and triggerable controlled release. This review gives an insight into several promising research projects with polymer-based nanostructures for macrophage detection or treatment that might enter cardiologic practice in the near future.

[Gender differences in vascular medicine]

In vascular medicine only a few studies concerning gender differences in vascular diseases, course of the disease and therapy exist. Risk factors are allocated differently between men and women with different influences on cardiovascular diseases. Diabetic women do have a particular high risk. The proportion of women smokers with a risk for aggravation of the other risk factors is increased. In young female smokers the hypoplastic aortoiliac syndrome is a special course of peripheral arterial disease associated with a bad prognosis. The benefit of hormone replacement therapy in vascular diseases of postmenopausal women has not yet been demonstrated. On the other hand testosterone seems to have a favourable effect on vascular diameter and endothelium of coronaries. Women with peripheral arterial disease represent high risk patients with a particular risk for cardiovascular letality. Periprocedural complications of the analysed operations or interventions are found more frequent in women. Furthermore the disease is in an advanced stage when treated. Especially men with asymptomatic high grade carotid stenosis benefit more from an operation than women because of the higher risk for ischemic stroke. Unfortunately the benefit of the operation in women is neutralized by the higher rate of periprocedural complications. Some studies demonstrate the gender bias in treatment: women seldom receive revascularisation and guideline therapy as frequently as men. The same is true with thromboembolic prophylaxis concerning in hospital patients. In pharmacotherapy women have in result of metabolism more side effects. Additionally women are underrepresented in drug admission studies compared to their percentage of population and gender prevalence of diseases. Further studies concerning gender differences in vascular medicine are definitely needed.

Endovascular treatment of isolated atherosclerotic lesions of the infrarenal aorta is technically feasible with acceptable long-term results

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the results of endovascular treatment of symptomatic, atherosclerotic lesions of the infrarenal aorta.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

This is a retrospective study including 30 procedures performed on 25 patients in the period from 1990 through 2003. There were 16 women (64%) and 9 men, with a mean age of 55 years (range 35-81 years). The indication was disabling intermittent claudication in all cases. Preoperative assessment was done with ankle-arm pressure measurement and angiography. The mean length of the lesions was 2.5cm (range 1-6cm). One lesion was a short occlusion and nine were >90% stenoses. The remaining 20 lesions were significant (>70%) stenoses. The procedure was done with PTA alone in 13 cases, and with additional stenting in 17.

RESULTS

The procedures were technically successful in 28 cases and clinically successful in all 30. In two cases, a >50% residual stenosis was not dilated further because of stretch pain. The mean observation time was 40 months (range 0-135 months). The primary 2 and 5 year patency rates calculated on basis of intention to treat were 90 and 77%. The primary assisted patency rate was 90% at 2 years and 83% at 5 years. Eight patients developed significant restenosis, of which five were treated with a new endovascular procedure. Two failures were treated conservatively and one with surgical thrombendarterectomy.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular treatment of isolated atherosclerotic lesions of the infrarenal aorta is feasible in patients with suitable anatomy. Clinical success rates are high and long-term patency is good. Complications are few and minor. The majority of failures are amenable to new endovascular treatment.

Malnutrition, inflammation, atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients

Protein-energy malnutrition with muscle wasting occurs in a large proportion of patients with chronic renal failure and is, in addition to atherosclerosis, a strong risk factor for cardiovascular mortality in dialysis patients. There is evidence that a chronic inflammation with activation of C-reactive protein and proinfalammatory cytokines is associated with increased oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Strong relations between malnutrition, inflammation and atherosclerosis in dialysis patients suggest the presence of a MIA (malnutrition, inflammation and atherosclerosis) syndrome, which is associated with high mortality rate. Thus, it could be speculated that suppression of the vicious cycle of malnutrition, inflammation and atherosclerosis would improve survival in dialysis patients.