Predictive factors of vascular intima media thickness in HIV-positive subjects

BACKGROUND

The predictive factors of intima media thickness (IMT) in the HIV-infected population are still poorly understood.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We studied three groups of subjects, aged 30-50 years, to find potential predictive factors of carotid and/or femoral thickening (IMT > 1 mm in at least one area): healthy controls (G1, n = 54), HIV-infected naive (G2, n = 53) and highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART)-treated subjects (G3, n = 133). All the subjects underwent ultrasonography of the carotid and femoral vessels to evaluate IMT.

RESULTS

Demographic characteristics of the three groups were comparable, except for gender (G1 had a higher percentage of females) and lipid levels (higher in G3). A total of 115 subjects (47.9%) had carotid and/or femoral IMT: 26 in G1 (48.1%), 21 in G2 (39.6%) and 68 in G3 (51.1%). Independent predictive factors of carotid and/or femoral IMT were older age (OR: 2.81, 95% CI: 1.95-4.04, P < 0.01, for each additional 5 years), triglycerides >or=150 mg/dL (OR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.27-5.57, P < 0.001), serum glucose >or=110 mg/dL (OR: 5.24, 95% CI: 1.02-27.05, P = 0.04), high homocysteinaemia (OR: 2.75, 95% CI: 1.17-6.46, P = 0.02) and high body mass index (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1-1.22, P = 0.05 for each additional unit); females had a lower risk (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.18-0.79, P < 0.01 versus males). HAART use was not associated with IMT (OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.27-1.53, P = 0.32 and OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.30-2.13, P = 0.20 for G3 and G2 versus G1, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that traditional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases overshadow the role of HAART in determining premature vascular lesions.

Surgical treatment of pancreatic tumors invading the spleno-mesenteric-portal vessels. An Italian Multicenter Survey

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The authors are interested in determining the diagnostic and surgical approach followed in different Italian institutions in the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas, whenever the spleno-mesenteric-portal confluence is invaded.

METHODOLOGY

A 10-item questionnaire was sent to 21 Italian Centers of Surgical Oncology and a total of 1185 patients treated with pancreaticoduodenectomy were collected from 15 centers. Among them, 164 spleno-mesenteric-portal vein (SMPV) resections were performed.

RESULTS

In all collaborative centers, the diagnostic work-up is comparable with what is reported in the literature. An accurate pre- and intra-operative staging and a differential diagnosis between inflammatory and neoplastic involvement of the vessel walls is universally considered essential for its surgical and oncological implications. If vessel involvement is ruled out, 7 centers proceed to pancreasectomy anyway. Direct end-to-end vein reconstruction is used as the primary procedure, but interposition of PTFE and autologous vein grafting may be used. An overall 4.8% post-operative complications only have been reported. Mean perioperative mortality reported is 3.8% (0-11.5%) and morbidity is 22.8% (4.7-57%). Survival rate is 10 months overall. The mean actuarial 5-year survival is 12%.

CONCLUSIONS

The attitude of the collaborative centers in cases of SMPV involvement varies, with a slight majority favoring a conservative behavior. Surgical resection extended to the vessels is still uncommon, even in centers mostly experienced in surgery of the pancreas. We believe that vascular resections can be safely performed in both of the different conditions: localized tumors locally invading the vessels and neoplasms with massive invasion of the peripancreatic structures. We share with others the opinion that, in experienced centers, extensive resections should have a role for palliation of carcinoma of the pancreas whenever they offer a better quality of life, although life expectancy may not be positively influenced.

[Total gastrectomy for gastric neoplasms]

In spite of the decreasing incidence of gastric carcinoma, as it is reported in recent reports from the U.S.A., total gastrectomy and its surgical indications results and complications, focus the interest of surgeons. We analize 61 cases of total gastrectomy for carcinoma, treated in the years 1982-1992. Perioperative mortality and long term survival appear highly satisfactory, mainly if one considers that the site and extension of the neoplasms treated would have severely impaired the possibilities of cure or long term survival with surgery of lesser momentum. We believe that nowaday indications for total gastrectomy can be widened in the hope of improving results of gastric cancer surgery with no or little additional risk.

Prevention of ischemic stroke after TIA: medical or surgical treatment? A review of the main trials

The importance of adequate preventive treatment of ischemic stroke in patients who have previously suffered one or more transitory ischaemic attacks is undisputed. How to implement it is, however, still open to discussion. The choice is essentially between medical therapy with anti-clotting drugs, that using platelet inhibition drugs and endarterectomy. Here the data from the most important trials in various Countries are collected and analysed for better definition of the indications and results of the various treatments.

Axillo-femoral by-pass: technique and long-term results

The paper describes problems related to axillo-femoral (AF) revascularization of the lower limbs on the basis of personal experience of axillo-femoral by-passes performed from 1971 to 1987. The indications to this technique are limited to high-risk patients. The long-term results are analyzed. The paper stresses the difficulties connected with the choice of the level of the proximal and distal anastomoses, as well as the type of prosthesis to be used.

Venous grafting in femoropopliteal obstructions: a 16-year experience

Over 15 years, 172 femoropopliteal saphenous vein bypasses were performed on 151 patients with chronic obstructive arterial disease. Follow-up varied from a minimum of six months to a maximum of 12 years. The operative mortality was 1.32%, the survival rates at five and ten years were 66.54% and 33.91% respectively, and the patency at five and ten years was 52.02% and 37.55%. The good results obtained, even in the majority of patients with trophic lesions and/or rest pain, indicate that direct arterial reconstruction should be considered the only effective treatment for saving a limb which would otherwise have to be amputated.

Contusive trauma of the popliteal artery

The writers have reviewed thirteen cases of contusive trauma of the popliteal artery which came under their observation. The incidence of such lesions in arterial trauma is 22 per cent. The limb was saved in 76 per cent; but the result was only functionally good in only 46 per cent. The fundamental factors for successful revascularization are early diagnosis and precise technique. The operation of choice is a by-pass using the saphenous vein from the contralateral limb; this "jumps" right over the focus of arterial contusion.