Franz Hafner

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and its association with critical limb ischemia in PAOD patients.

Background The Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an easy to perform test from the white blood cell count. An increase in NLR has been associated with vascular endpoints reflecting inflammation in atherosclerotic lesions. Atherosclerosis is a global threat and vascular endpoints, like myocardial infarction or critical limb ischemia (CLI), are a leading cause of death in industrialized countries. We therefore investigated NLR and its association with CLI and other vascular endpoints in peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) patients. Methods and Findings We evaluated 2121 PAOD patients treated at our institution from 2005 to 2010. NLR was calculated and the cohort was divided into tertiles according to the NLR. An optimal cut-off value for the continuous NLR was calculated by applying a receiver operating curve analysis to discriminate between CLI and non-CLI. In our cohort occurrence of CLI significantly increased with an increase in NLR. As an optimal cut-off a NLR of 3.95 was identified. Two groups were categorized, one containing 1441 patients (NLR≤3.95) and a second group with 680 patients (NLR>3.95). CLI was more frequent in NLR>3.95 patients (330(48.5%)) compared to NLR≤3.95 patients (350(24.3%)) (p<0.001), as were prior myocardial infarction (48(7.0%) vs. 47(3.3%), p<0.001) and stroke (73(10.7) vs. 98(6.8%), p<0.001). Regarding other inflammatory parameters, C-reactive protein (median 5.6 mg/l (2.3–19.1) vs. median 3 mg/l (1.5–5.5)) and fibrinogen (median 412 mg/dl (345.5–507.5) vs. 344 mg/dl (308–403.5)) also significantly differed in the two patient groups (both p<0.001). A NLR>3.95 was associated with an OR of 2.5 (95%CI 2.3–2.7) for CLI even after adjustment for other vascular risk factors. Conclusions An increased NLR is significantly associated with patients at high risk for CLI and other vascular endpoints. The NLR is an easy to perform test, which could be used to highlight patients at high risk for vascular endpoints.

Lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte ratio: a novel marker for critical limb ischemia in PAOD patients

The lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte ratio (LMR) is easily determined from the white blood cell count. Lymphocytes were previously investigated as a part of the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with atherosclerotic disease and an elevated NLR was negatively associated with cardiovascular endpoints. As monocytes play a leading role in the progression of atherosclerosis, especially in peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), we investigated LMR and its association with critical limb ischemia and other vascular endpoints in PAOD patients.

Endothelial dysfunction and brachial intima-media thickness: long term cardiovascular risk with claudication related to peripheral arterial disease: a prospective analysis.

Objective Endothelial dysfunction plays a key role in the development, progression, and clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis, and in symptomatic peripheral arterial disease, endothelial dysfunction and enlarged intima-media thickness might be associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Flow-mediated dilatation and serologic parameters are used to evaluate individual endothelial function. Brachial intima-media thickness, a less recognized parameter of cardiovascular risk, is independently associated with coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of ultrasound and serologic parameters of endothelial function in relation to cardiovascular mortality in peripheral arterial disease. Design monocentric, prospective cohort study. Methods Flow mediated dilatation and brachial intima-media thickness were assessed in 184 (124 male) patients with peripheral arterial disease (Rutherford stages 2–3). Serologic parameters of endothelial function included asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), and L-homoarginine. Cardiovascular events were recorded during a follow-up of 99.1±11.1 months. Subjects who died of noncardiovascular causes were excluded from further analysis. Results Eighty-two patients (44.6%) died during follow-up after a mean duration of 49.7±28.3 months. There were 49 cardiovascular deaths (59.8%) and 33 other deaths (40.2%). Flow mediated dilatation was associated with cardiovascular death [1.17% (0.0, 4.3) vs. 4.1% (1.2, 6.4), p<0.001]. Intima-media thickness was greater in patients who succumbed to cardiovascular disease [0.37 mm (0.30, 0.41)] than in survivors [0.21 mm (0.15, 0.38), p<0.001]. Brachial intima-media thickness above 0.345 mm was most predictive of cardiovascular death, with sensitivity and specificity values of 0.714 and 0.657, respectively (p<0.001). Furthermore, ADMA levels above 0.745 µmol/l and SDMA levels above 0.825 µmol/l were significantly associated with cardiovascular death (p<0.001 and 0.030). Conclusion In symptomatic peripheral arterial disease, decreased flow mediated dilatation, enlarged intima-media thickness, and elevated levels of ADMA and SDMA were associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

Asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis and superficial vein thrombosis in ambulatory cancer patients: impact on short-term survival

Background:Asymptomatic venous thrombotic events (VTEs) are possible findings in ambulatory cancer patients. Data regarding the incidence and clinical impact of asymptomatic VTEs are conflicting. We therefore conducted a study to evaluate the occurrence of asymptomatic VTEs of the lower limbs in ambulatory cancer patients to further evaluate the association of these asymptomatic VTEs on survival during a 9-month follow-up period.Methods:In our prospective cohort, we included 150 consecutive ambulatory cancer patients who were free of any clinical symptoms for VTEs. Compression ultrasound to detect deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and superficial venous thrombosis (SVT) of the lower limbs was performed by a vascular specialist in all patients at baseline. In case of pathological findings the patients were treated with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) because of current established guidelines. The occurrence of death was investigated during a 9-month follow-up period.Results:A total of 27 (18%) patients with VTEs were detected, which included 13 patients (8.7%) with a SVT and 16 patients (10.7%) showing a DVT. Two patients had both, a SVT and a DVT as well. During the 9-month follow-up period the occurrence of a VTE at baseline was associated with a 2.4-fold increased risk for death (HR 2.4 (1.2–5.3); P=0.03).Conclusion:Asymptomatic VTEs of the lower limbs in ambulatory cancer patients are frequently occurring concomitant features and are associated with poor survival during a 9-month follow-up period despite anticoagulation with LMWH.

99mTc-apcitide scintigraphy in patients with clinically suspected deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism

AimDetection of acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients presenting with clinical symptoms suggesting DVT and pulmonary embolism (PE) with 99mTc-apcitide, a synthetic polypeptide, binding to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors expressed on activated platelets is the objective of the study.Materials and methodsNineteen patients (11 males, eight females) received within 24h after admission to the hospital a mean of 841MBq (range 667 to 1,080) 99mTc-apcitide i.v. followed by planar recordings 10, 60, and 120min after injection. Images were compared to the results of compression ultrasonography and/or phlebography. Patients with clinically suspected PE underwent spiral computed tomography or lung perfusion scans.Results99mTc-apcitide scintigraphy showed acute clot formation in 14 out of 16 patients where the other imaging modalities suggested DVT. Positive scintigraphic results were seen up to 17days after the onset of clinical symptoms. In three out of three patients without any proof of DVT, 99mTc-apcitide scintigraphy was truly negative. Glycoprotein receptor imaging showed only one segmental PE in six patients with imaging-proven subsegmental (N = 3) or segmental PE (N = 3).Conclusion99mTc-apcitide scintigraphy may be an easy and promising tool for the detection of acute clot formation in patients with DVT up to 17days after the onset of clinical symptoms with a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 100%. However, it failed to demonstrate PE in 83% of examined patients with proven PE.

Axillary vein compression by Langer's axillary arch, an aberrant muscle bundle of the latissimus dorsi.

BACKGROUNDnAxillary vein compression is an important differential diagnosis in swelling of the upper extremities besides deep venous thrombosis.nnnCASE REPORTnWe present a rare case of axillary vein compression in a 17-year-old female with intermittent swelling and pain of the left arm due to an aberrant muscle bundle of the left latissimus dorsi. After resection of this bundle, which corresponded to Langers axillary arch, the swelling and pain on the left arm resolved completely.nnnCONCLUSIONnIn symptomatic patients with axillary vein compression due to Langers axillary arch, a resection of the muscle bundle is an effective way of treatment.

Intra-arterial injection, a rare but serious complication of sclerotherapy

Intra-arterial injections represent the most feared complication of sclerotherapy for varicose veins. We present a case of an inadvertent intra-arterial injection of polidocanol at the left medial calf in a 59-year-old woman with subsequent arterial occlusions of the posterior tibial artery and foot arteries. Despite several therapeutic interventions, lower-limb amputation could not be prevented. We conducted a PubMed search for articles reporting arterial complications related to sclerotherapy, in order to evaluate aetiology, clinical presentation, therapeutic management and outcome of sclerotherapy-associated intra-arterial injections during the past 50 years. Intra-arterial injection of a sclerosing solution was reported in 63 cases, mostly after injection near the ankle region or the distal medial calf. Clinical presentation was frequently characterized by immediate pain during injection and distal ischaemia with subsequent tissue loss. Despite several treatment approaches, amputation could not be prevented in 31 cases (52.5%). The pathophysiology of arterial complications related to intra-arterial injection and advisable therapeutic interventions are discussed. Inadvertent intra-arterial injection represents a limb-threatening complication of sclerotherapy. Target-oriented and prompt therapy seems inevitable in order to reduce the risk of permanent tissue loss and amputation.

Neointimal Hyperplasia after Silverhawk Atherectomy versus Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) in Femoropopliteal Stent Reobstructions: A Controlled, Randomized Pilot Trial

BackgroundDue to intimal hyperplasia instent reobstruction in the femoropopliteal arterial segment is still an unsolved problem. Different techniques have been discussed in case of reintervention to guarantee longlasting patency rate.MethodsWe conducted a randomized, controlled, pilot trial comparing Silverhawk atherectomy with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in patients with a first instent reobstruction in the femoropopliteal arterial segment, to evaluate intima media thickness (IMT) within the treated segment, as a parameter of recurrence of intimal hyperplasia.ResultsIn a total 19 patients were included: 9 patients in the atherectomy device and 10 patients in the PTA arm. IMT within the treated segment was statistically significantly elevated in all patients treated with the Silverhawk device versus the patients treated with PTA. The obvious differentiation in elevation of IMT in nonfavor for patients treated with the Silverhawk device started at month 2 (max IMT SH 0.178xa0mm vs. IMT PTA 0.1xa0mm, pxa0=xa00.001) with a spike at month 5 (max IMT SH 0.206xa0mm vs. IMT PTA 0.145xa0mm, pxa0=xa00.003) and a decline once again at month 6 (max IMT SH 0.177xa0mm vs. IMT PTA 0.121xa0mm, pxa0=xa00.02). The values for mean IMT performed the same way.ConclusionsAlthough Silverhawk atherectomy provides good results at first sight, in the midterm follow-up of treatment of first instent restenosis it did not perform better than PTA as it showed elevated reoccurrence of intimal media hyperplasia.

Endothelial function and carotid intima-media thickness in giant-cell arteritis.

Vascular endothelial dysfunction and intima‐media thickness are characteristic aspects of several vasculitides. We investigated retrospectively the impact of steroid treatment on endothelial dysfunction and intima‐media thickness in giant‐cell arteritis.

Changes in pulmonary exercise haemodynamics in scleroderma: a 4-year prospective study

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a feared complication of systemic sclerosis. In this prospective cohort study, we monitored the changes in resting and exercise pulmonary haemodynamics of scleroderma patients without initial PAH over a mean follow-up period of ∼4u2005years. All patients underwent exercise echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing at baseline and follow-up. A subgroup underwent exercise right heart catheter (RHC) investigations. The primary end-point was the echocardiographic systolic pulmonary arterial pressure at 50u2005W exercise (sPAP50). We included 99 patients, of whom 58 had a complete dataset. Three out of 99 patients developed RHC-confirmed PAH (0.75 cases per 100u2005patient-years). sPAP50 increased (p<0.001) and peak oxygen uptake (secondary end-point) decreased significantly (p=0.001) during follow-up, but there was no significant change in resting sPAP (p=0.38). In the RHC subgroup (n=28), mean (m)PAP and pulmonary vascular resistance at 50u2005W increased significantly (p=0.02 and p=0.002, respectively), but resting mPAP was unchanged. Scleroderma patients without PAH develop a mild but significant deterioration of pulmonary exercise haemodynamics and exercise capacity over a 4-year follow-up period, indicating a progression of pulmonary vascular disease. The manifestation rate of RHC-confirmed PAH was 0.75 cases per 100u2005patient-years. Scleroderma patients without pulmonary hypertension develop mild deterioration in pulmonary exercise haemodynamics http://ow.ly/hva930aEW4E