Selective inferior petrosal sinus sampling without venous outflow diversion in the detection of a pituitary adenoma in Cushing's syndrome

Conventional MRI may still be an inaccurate method for the non-invasive detection of a microadenoma in adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-dependent Cushing's syndrome (CS). Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS) with ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (oCRH) stimulation is an invasive, but accurate, intervention in the diagnostic armamentarium surrounding CS. Until now, there is a continuous controversial debate regarding lateralization data in detecting a microadenoma. Using BIPSS, we evaluated whether a highly selective placement of microcatheters without diversion of venous outflow might improve detection of pituitary microadenoma.

Predictors of in-hospital mortality in elderly patients with acute venous thrombo-embolism: the SWIss Venous ThromboEmbolism Registry (SWIVTER)

Although acute venous thrombo-embolism (VTE) often afflicts patients with advanced age, the predictors of in-hospital mortality for elderly VTE patients are unknown.

Cardiac troponin testing and the simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index. The SWIss Venous ThromboEmbolism Registry (SWIVTER)

A low simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI), defined as age ≤80 years and absence of systemic hypotension, tachycardia, hypoxia, cancer, heart failure, and lung disease, identifies low-risk patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). It is unknown whether cardiac troponin testing improves the prediction of clinical outcomes if the sPESI is not low. In the prospective Swiss Venous Thromboembolism Registry, 369 patients with acute PE and a troponin test (conventional troponin T or I, highly sensitive troponin T) were enrolled from 18 hospitals. A positive test result was defined as a troponin level above the manufacturers assay threshold. Among the 106 (29%) patients with low sPESI, the rate of mortality or PE recurrence at 30 days was 1.0%. Among the 263 (71%) patients with high sPESI, 177 (67%) were troponin-negative and 86 (33%) troponin-positive; the rate of mortality or PE recurrence at 30 days was 4.6% vs. 12.8% (p=0.015), respectively. Overall, risk assessment with a troponin test (hazard ratio [HR] 3.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38-8.37; p=0.008) maintained its prognostic value for mortality or PE recurrence when adjusted for sPESI (HR 5.80, 95%CI 0.76-44.10; p=0.09). The combination of sPESI with a troponin test resulted in a greater area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.63-0.81) than sPESI alone (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.57-0.68) (p=0.023). In conclusion, although cardiac troponin testing may not be required in patients with a low sPESI, it adds prognostic value for early death and recurrence for patients with a high sPESI.

Sustained impact of electronic alerts on rate of prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism

Advanced electronic alerts (eAlerts) and computerised physician order entry (CPOE) increase adequate thromboprophylaxis orders among hospitalised medical patients. It remains unclear whether eAlerts maintain their efficacy over time, after withdrawal of continuing medical education (CME) on eAlerts and on thromboprophylaxis indications from the study staff. We analysed 5,317 hospital cases from the University Hospital Zurich during 2006-2009: 1,854 cases from a medical ward with eAlerts (interventiongroup) and 3,463 cases from a surgical ward without eAlerts (controlgroup). In the intervention group, an eAlert with hospital-specific venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention guidelines was issued in the electronic patient chart 6 hours after admission if no pharmacological or mechanical thromboprophylaxis had been ordered. Data were analysed for three phases: pre-implementation (phase 1), eAlert implementation with CME (phase 2), and post-implementation without CME (phase3). The rates of thromboprophylaxis in the intervention group were 43.4% in phase 1 and 66.7% in phase 2 (p<0.001), and increased further to 73.6% in phase3 (p=0.011). Early thromboprophylaxis orders within 12 hours after admission were more often placed in phase 2 and 3 as compared to phase 1 (67.1% vs. 52.1%, p<0.001). In the surgical control group, the thromboprophylaxis rates in the three phases were 88.6%, 90.7%, 90.6% (p=0.16). Advanced eAlerts may provide sustained efficacy over time, with stable rates of thromboprophylaxis orders among hospitalised medical patients.

[Venous thrombembolism in tumour patients]

Venous thrombembolism (VTE) is one of the most frequent complication in cancer patients. The current options in prophylaxis and therapy have to be balanced against the risks of major bleeding and the burden for the patients. The Gesellschaft für Thrombose- und Hämostaseforschung, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Palliativmedizin and the German speaking Societies of Hematology and Oncology have recently published guidelines on VTE in cancer patients. Recommendations include diagnostics, individual prophylaxis and treatment.

Comparison of arterial and venous coronary artery bypass flow measurements using 3-T magnetic resonance phase contrast imaging

Comparison of arterial and venous coronary artery bypass flow measurements using 3-T magnetic resonance (MR) phase contrast in correlation with intraoperative Doppler flow measurements.

Results after thoracic endovascular aortic repair in penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers

Results after thoracic endovascular aortic repair in penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers are uncertain.

Improved microsurgical creation of venous pouch arterial bifurcation aneurysms in rabbits

The choice of the experimental aneurysm model is essential for valid embolization-device evaluations. So far, the use of the rabbit venous pouch arterial bifurcation aneurysm model has been limited by demanding microsurgery, low aneurysm patency rates, and high mortality. This study aimed to facilitate microsurgery and to reduce mortality by optimized peri-/postoperative management.

Pharmacological treatment of primary chronic venous disease: rationale, results and unanswered questions

The aim of this article was first to review the complex pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for symptoms and signs of primary chronic venous disease (CVD) that allow the identification of targets for pharmacological treatment. The results of CVD treatment with venoactive drugs (VADs) were emphasised and presented in the form of recommendations. The last section raises key questions to be answered to improve protocols for good clinical trials and to draw up future guidelines on these agents.

Primary prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism in ambulatory cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) often complicates the clinical course of cancer disease. The risk is further increased by chemotherapy but the safety and efficacy of primary thromboprophylaxis in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy is uncertain.

Identification of venous variants in the pineal region with three-dimensional preoperative magnetic resonance imaging navigation in patients harbouring tumors in this area: significance for surgical approach to the lesion

The purpose of this study was to identify the anatomy of pineal region venous complex using neuronavigation software when distorted by the presence of a space-occupying lesion and to describe the anatomical relationship between lesion and veins. Moreover we discuss its influence on the choice of the surgical strategy.

Relation of psychological distress to the INR in Patients with venous thromboembolism with and without oral anticoagulant therapy

Psychological distress might affect the international normalized ratio (INR), but effects might vary depending on oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy.

Depressive symptoms, perceived social support, and prothrombotic measures in patients with venous thromboembolism

Psychosocial factors have been associated with both a prothrombotic state and an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We examined the relation of depressive symptoms and social support with D-dimer, an integrative measure of enhanced coagulation activity, and several additional prothrombotic measures in patients with VTE.

Insertion of totally implantable venous access devices: an expertise-based, randomized, controlled trial (NCT00600444)

Comparison of two different insertion techniques for implantation of totally implantable access ports (TIAP).