Objectives: ACST-2 is currently the largest trial ever conducted to compare carotid artery stenting (CAS) with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis requiring revascularization. Methods: Patients are entered into ACST-2 when revascularization is felt to be clearly indicated, when CEA and CAS are both possible, but where there is substantial uncertainty

Aim. The aim of the study was to describe results from a single vascular unit of endovascular revascularisation of subclavian and innominate arterial disease. Methods. Between April 1994 and March 2010, 63 patients (mean age 61.8±10.8 years, 41[65%] women) were endovascularly treated for subclavian and innominate arterial disease. Fourteen (22%) had upper extremity claudication, 5 (8%) acute arm i

Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for vascular disease. In order to evaluate relations between hyperhomocysteinemia and endothelial and leukocyte function, the investigators related homocysteine to indices of endothelial function (plasma endothelin-1 [p-ET-1] and intraplatelet levels of the nitric oxide [NO] and prostacyclin mediators 3'-5' guanosine monophosphate [cGMP] and cycli

Plasma endothelin-1, the nitric oxide (NO) mediator intraplatelet cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), the prostacyclin mediator cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and the macrophage derived inflammatory mediator plasma neopterin were measured in men with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 91), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; n = 51), previously abnormal glucose tolerance (PAGT; n = 20), and 34 h

Objectives. To evaluate beneficial effects of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on endothelial function, measured as intraplatelet cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP, mediator of nitric oxide), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP, mediator of prostacyclin) and plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1), and on monocyte activation, measured as plasma neopterin. Design. Part 1: double-blind random

Lipid-lowering statin treatment reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and improves endothelial function in patients with hypercholesterolemia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate plasma levels of fibrinogen, factor VII, and the macrophage-derived inflammatory mediator neopterin during lipid lowering. In addition, the endothelial production of platelet antiaggregatory and vasodila

To clarify relationships between the (endothelial vasodilatory and vasoconstrictive function) and leukocyte inflammatory mediators in subjects with asymptomatic atherosclerosis, we measured (intraplatelet cyclic 3', 5' guanosine monophosphate [cGMP] and cyclic 3', 5' adenosine monophosphate [cAMP]), plasma endothelin (ET-1), and plasma neopterin in 197 subjects with asymptomatic atherosclerosis (m

Inflammatory mediators secreted by activated leukocytes play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. They may also affect the production of vasodilatory and platelet antiaggregatory factors such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2) from the vascular endothelium. Production of NO and PGI2, the effecs of which are mediated by cyclic 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and cyclic 3',5

Summary: Chronic critical lower limb ischemia (CLI) has been defined as ischemia that endangers the leg. An attempt was made to give a precise definition of CLI, based on clinical and hemodynamic data (Second European Consensus). CLI may be easily defined from a clinical point of view as rest pain of the distal foot or gangrene or ulceration. It is probably useful to add leg ulcers of other origin

It is unclear whether high levels of antigen-specific islet antibodies [GADA (glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 antibodies) and IA2-ab (protein tyrosine phosphatase-like protein antibodies)] predict β-cell failure in patients with onset of diabetes in adult age. Therefore, GADA and IA2-ab levels at the diagnosis of diabetes were related to fasting plasma C-peptide levels 5 yr later in 148 patients wi

Aims: To clarify whether parasympathetic neuropathy in Type 2 diabetic patients is associated with features of the insulin resistance syndrome. Methods: Blood pressures, glycaemic control (HbA(IC)), plasma lipids, residual β-cell function (fasting plasma C-peptide), autonomic nerve function, urinary albumin excretion and glomerular filtration rate (Cr-EDTA clearance) were evaluated in 82 Type 2 di

OBJECTIVE - To evaluate the frequency of autoimmune markers (islet cell antibodies [ICA] and glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies [GADA]) and clinical features in newly diagnosed people with diabetes aged 40-75 years. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Two hundred fifty-nine consecutive patients (aged 40-75 years) with newly suspected diabetes diagnosed during a 2-year period were studied. The diagno

Objectives. To examine the relationship between previous glycaemic exposure and prevalence of retinopathy 8 years after diagnosis of diabetes in 58 islet cell antibodies (ICA)-negative noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients and in a group of 14 ICA-positive 'NIDDM' and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients. Design and methods. The Wisconsin retinopathy scale was used

OBJECTIVE - To evaluate the relationship between islet cell antibodies (ICAs) and the cardiovascular risk profile 5 years after clinical diagnosis of NIDDM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Five years after clinical diagnosis, we evaluated blood pressure (BP) and lipids in 17 NIDDM patients with ICA at diagnosis (age 60 ± 4 years) and 133 NIDDM patients without ICA at diagnosis (age 61 ± 1 year). Uri

OBJECTIVE - To evaluate proinsulin secretion in different types of NIDDM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Proinsulin and insulin were evaluated at diagnosis of diabetes and 3 years later (fasting and after stimulation with intravenous glucose and glucagon) in 10 NIDDM patients without islet cell antibodies (ICAs) at diagnosis (age 52 ± 4 years), 11 NIDDM patients with ICAs at diagnosis (age 50 ± 5 y

Nitric oxide (NO) exerts its vasodilator and antiaggregatory effects through activation of soluble guanylate cyclase and the consequent increase in the concentration of cGMP in target cells. We conducted this study in order to evaluate relationships between intraplatelet cGMP levels and risk factors for atherosclerosis in middle aged subjects. Intraplatelet cGMP was determined by radioimmunoassay