Percutaneous collagen induction-regeneration in place of cicatrisation?

Ablative procedures that are used for the improvement of a degenerative process that leads to a loss of skin elasticity and integrity, injure or destroy the epidermis and its basement membrane and lead to fibrosis of the papillary dermis. It was recently shown in clinical and laboratory trials that percutaneous collagen induction (PCI) by multiple needle application is a method for safely treating wrinkles and scars and smoothening the skin without the risk of dyspigmentation. In our study, we describe the effect of PCI on epidermal thickness and the induction of genes relevant for regenerative processes in the skin in a small animal model.

Percutaneous collagen induction therapy: an alternative treatment for burn scars

This study aims to evaluate percutaneous collagen induction (PCI) in post-burn scarring.

Figulla PFO occluder versus Amplatzer PFO occluder for percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale

Percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been shown safe and feasible using several devices. The Occlutech Figulla single layer PFO Occluder (FPO) constitutes an alternative to the Amplatzer PFO Occluder (APFO).

Percutaneous coronary interventions in Europe in 2006

This registry has aimed to collect data on cardiac catheterisation procedures in Europe in 2006.

All comers 5 french transfemoral percutaneous coronary intervention without sheath

There is an interest to keep the arterial access site for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) small. Using sheaths for introduction of arterial catheters is standard. The effective outer diameter of the usual introducer sheaths is about 1.5 French (F) larger than the labeled size. Omitting the sheath affords a smaller access without loss of working lumen.

PLAATO (Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Transcatheter Occlusion) for prevention of cardioembolic stroke in non-anticoagulation eligible atrial fibrillation patients: results from the European PLAATO study

The European PLAATO (Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Transcatheter Occlusion) study was performed to determine the safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage occlusion by catheter technique. Embolic stroke due to atrial fibrillation is a common observation, especially in the elderly. Most thrombi in atrial fibrillation form in the left atrial appendage (LAA), its occlusion may therefore reduce the incidence of stroke in these patients.

Impact of percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure on migraine course

Migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by an increased individual susceptibility to respond to certain triggers by a propagating wave of neuronal depolarization that culminates in typical migraine headaches. Patients with a patent foramen ovale or any kind of right-to-left shunt are more likely to have migraine; and patients with migraine with aura are more likely to have a patent foramen ovale than patients without migraine. Nonrandomized reports of patent foramen ovale closure in divers, in patients with paradoxical embolism and in migraine patients with ischemic brain lesions have shown an impressive reduction in migraine headaches during follow-up. To date, the only double-blind, randomized controlled trial with a sham procedure in the control arm failed to show any benefit, probably owing to inadequate patient selection and maybe because of a high residual shunt rate. Two other randomized trials continue to enroll patients with migraine with aura and drug-refractory headaches and their results are awaited.

Randomized clinical trial comparing percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) using the Amplatzer PFO Occluder with medical treatment in patients with cryptogenic embolism (PC-Trial): rationale and design

Background Several studies have shown an association of cryptogenic stroke and embolism with patent foramen ovale (PFO), but the question how to prevent further events in such patients is unresolved. Options include antithrombotic treatment with warfarin or antiplatelet agents or surgical or endovascular closure of the PFO. The PC-Trial was set up to compare endovascular closure and best medical treatment for prevention of recurrent events. Methods The PC-Trial is a randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of percutaneous closure of the PFO using the Amplatzer PFO occluder with best medical treatment in patients with cryptogenic embolism, i.e. mostly cryptogenic stroke. Warfarin for 6 months followed by antiplatelet agents is recommended as medical treatment. Randomization is stratified according to patients age (<45 versus ≥45 years), presence of atrial septal aneurysm (ASA yes or no) and number of embolic events before randomization (one versus more than one event). Primary endpoints are death, nonfatal stroke and peripheral embolism. Discussion patients were randomized in 29 centers of Europe, Canada, and Australia. Randomization started February 2000. Enrollment of 414 patients was completed in February 2009. All patients will be followed-up longitudinally. Follow-up is maintained until the last enrolled patient is beyond 2.5 years of follow-up (expected in 2011).

Percutaneous and Open Retrograde Endovascular Stenting of Symptomatic High-Grade Innominate Artery Stenosis: Technique and Follow-Up

Angioplasty and stenting of the IA have been reported with high technical and clinical success rates, low complication rates and good mid-term patency rates. Different antegrade or retrograde endovascular catheter-based approaches and combinations with surgical exposure of the CCA are used. The purpose of this study was to determine safety, efficacy and mid-term clinical and radiological outcome of the stent-assisted treatment of atherosclerotic stenotic disease of the IA with special focus on the different technical approaches.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous tracheal puncture: a computer-tomographic controlled study in cadavers

Ultrasound-guided techniques are increasingly used in anaesthetic practice to identify tissues beneath the skin and to increase the accuracy of placement of needles close to targeted structures. To examine ultrasound's usefulness for dilatational tracheostomy, we performed ultrasound-guided tracheal punctures in human cadavers followed by computer-tomographic (CT) control.