Issue

  • Issue Number: 
    2 March/April 06

    After completing a review of the article “Management of Detached Accunet…” by Chane et al., I found myself wanting to add something personal, a commentary. So I did, but it wasn’t enough. I therefore decided to reflect further upon our field’s “wonderful new technologies” and use this topic as the foundation for this month’s Editor’s Corner.

    Just think about it: this is one of “the most perfect issues” for VDM readers. The use of new technologies, with a growing reliance, if not dependence, on innovative devices, is at the very center of who we have all become

  • Issue Number: 
    2 March/April 06

    Case Study
    D.T., a 78-year-old, black female, presented electively for a redo right renal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) after canceling 3 weeks prior, due to the ravages of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Louisiana. She noted vague right back pain that she attributed to prior back surgery and muscle straining while evacuating during the hurricanes. Past medical history included diabetes, hypertension, chronic heart failure (CHF), chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) with a prior baseline serum creatinine (CR) of 1.7–1.9 mg/dl, prior bilateral renal artery (RA), celiac, s

  • Issue Number: 
    2 March/April 06

    Introduction
    Carotid artery angioplasty and stenting (CAS) has gained acceptance in the past decade as an alternative strategy for management of carotid artery stenosis. The recent SAPPHIRE trial1 has shown that, in high surgical risk patients, CAS is at least as good if not superior to carotid endarterectomy. The initial concern over high thromboembolic complications has been addressed by the introduction of distal embolic protection devices (EPD). Early experience with EPD indicates that they reduce microemboli-related strokes during CAS.2 However, deployment of

  • Issue Number: 
    2 March/April 06

    Introduction
    Mesenteric ischemia is an uncommon but serious disease. It was reported by Conner in 1933, who postulated that patients with chronic abdominal pain may have actually suffered from repeated intestinal angina.1 Mesenteric ischemia can be either acute or chronic. Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is further subdivided into occlusive and nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia. Occlusive mesenteric ischemia is thrombotic or embolic in origin. Approximately 80% of cases of AMI are occlusive in etiology, with arterial emboli or thromboses in 65% of the cases. Nonocclusive mese

  • Issue Number: 
    2 March/April 06

    Background
    As the population ages, an increasing number of patients are in need of lower extremity revascularization. Improvements in surgical, anesthetic, and endovascular techniques provide an increasingly aggressive approach to limb salvage that can be offered to these older and often sicker patients. There is little question that the autologous saphenous vein is the ideal conduit for surgical revascularization, especially to a tibial artery. However, the lack of adequate vein can present a major challenge in the care of these patients. Because of its utility in peripheral and coron

  • Issue Number: 
    2 March/April 06

    Introduction
    Successful treatment of symptomatic varicose veins requires a balance between treatment of the underlying etiology and achievement of an optimal cosmetic outcome. In the overwhelming majority of cases, saphenous vein reflux is the primary problem. This superficial venous reflux must be addressed, or recurrence of the varicosities can be expected. In many cases, the varicose veins causing symptoms in the distribution of either the greater or lesser saphenous vein (GSV/LSV) do not need to be excised if the incompetent saphenous vein has been successfully ablated. Current min

  • Issue Number: 
    2 March/April 06

    Introduction
    End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is increasing in epidemic proportions worldwide. Therefore, vascular access procedures are rapidly becoming the most common surgery performed in the world.

    In the United States, there are approximately 300,000 people on dialysis. This number is growing by 15% or more each year, and will consequently double this patient population in 4 to 6 years. Total annual costs are expected to exceed $28 billion by 2010.

    Vascular anastomosis has evolved over a long period of time. The early vascular surgeons were hampered by their lack of medica

  • Issue Number: 
    2 March/April 06

    Clinical Pharmacology of Bivalirudin
    Bivalirudin is a direct thrombin inhibitor with specific and reversible actions.1–6 It is a synthetic, 20-amino acid peptide with a molecular weight of 2180 daltons. Bivalirudin directly inhibits both circulating and bound thrombin by binding to its catalytic site and anion-binding exosite. The binding to thrombin is reversible, as the latter cleaves the bivalirudin-Arg3-Pro4 bond, resulting in recovery of the active site. Bivalirudin does not activate platelets and is not inhibited by platelet products. It produces a linear dose and co


Digital Supplements

Using Advanced Technology to
Treat Occluded Below-the-Knee Arteries


This clinical case update was supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Terumo Medical Corporation.


Superior Mesenteric Artery Revascularization and
Retrograde Visualization


This clinical case update was supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Terumo Medical Corporation.

CME Showcase

"Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy"

Upcoming Accredited Webcast

Release Date: December 22, 2008

Expiration Date: December 22, 2009

This activity is supported by an educational grant from PamLabs.
This activity is sponsored by the North American Center For Continuing Medical Education (NACCME).

To register for this Webcast, visit www.naccme.com/program/n-558/



LUMEN 2009 - THE SYMPOSIUM ON OPTIMAL TREATMENTS FOR ACUTE MI

Live Symposium

Date: February 26-28
Location: Loews Miami Beach Hotel
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Phone: (305) 604-1601
Toll Free: 1-877-563-9762

This activity is sponsored by the North American Center for Continuing Medical Education.

CARDIAC PET: Optimizing CAD Patient Management with Diagnostic Confidence


A Complimentary CME Accredited Lunch Symposium

Date: Friday, September 12, 2008
12:00 pm - 1:15 pm
Location: Hynes Convention Center
900 Boylston Street, Room 304
Boston, MA 02115

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Bracco Diagnostics Inc.


REVIEW OUR OTHER
CARDIOLOGY BRANDS

Check out our other resources for healthcare professionals of all specialties.

  • CathLab Digest
  • Journal of Invasive Cardiology
  • EP Lab Digest
  • Cath Lab Basics