| 1. |
- Bengtsson, H, et al.
(författare)
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Expansion pattern and risk of rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms that were not operated on
- 1993
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Ingår i: European Journal of Surgery. - 1102-4151. ; 159:9, s. 461-467
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To analyse the outcome of selective management of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms, the expansion patterns of the aneurysms, and the factors that influenced the rate of rupture. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Malmo General Hospital, Lund University, Malmo, Sweden. SUBJECTS: 155 patients (96 men and 59 women) with abdominal aortic aneurysms who were not selected for operation for whatever reason were included in the study immediately after their first ultrasound scan. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality, expansion rate (mm/year) measured on ultrasound scan, and rate of rupture of aneurysm. RESULTS: Median aneurysmal diameter was 40 mm (range 20-80), and length (n = 106) 70 (range 28-140). The patients were followed up for a median of 3.4 years (range 0-10.2). A total of 107 patients died and in 21 the aneurysms ruptured (4 were operated on and survived). Thirteen patients were re-evaluated and operated on electively. Ultrasonography was repeated in 98 patients, the median expansion rates (mm/year) were 3.1 (diameter) and 1.9 (length). There was a significant linear relationship between initial size (diameter and length) and rate of expansion of diameter. The risk of rupture was greater in larger aneurysms that were expanding more quickly. The cumulative mortality was not affected by the 21 aneurysms that ruptured. CONCLUSION: Selective management of patients with aortic aneurysms is justified.
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| 2. |
- Hansen, F, et al.
(författare)
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Non-invasive measurement of pulsatile vessel diameter change and elastic properties in human arteries: a methodological study
- 1993
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Ingår i: Clinical Physiology. - 1365-2281. ; 13:6, s. 631-643
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A recently developed ultrasound phase-locked echo-tracking system makes it possible to measure non-invasive pulsatile vessel diameter changes, and, in combination with blood-pressure measurement, to calculate pressure strain elastic modulus (Ep) and stiffness (beta). The reproducibility in measurements of pulsatile diameter changes with this system was evaluated. Also the precision of indirect blood-pressure measurements, as compared to the simultaneously measured intra-arterial blood pressure was tested. The resulting reproducibility in pressure strain elastic modulus (Ep) and stiffness (beta) was evaluated. Intra-observer variabilities in measuring pulsatile diameter changes were 16% for the abdominal aorta, 10% for the common carotid artery, and 15% for the common femoral artery, respectively. Intra-observer variabilities for Ep and beta were 21% for both in the abdominal aorta, 17% for both in the common carotid artery, and 18% for both in the common femoral artery, respectively. There were only small differences in indirect and direct measurement of systolic blood pressure, whereas indirect blood pressure measurement systematically overestimated the diastolic blood pressure, on average by 20%. The variabilities in indirect blood pressure measurements were 2% for the systolic and 3% for the diastolic blood pressure, respectively. Inter-observer variability in the investigation of the common carotid artery was 10% for the pulsatile diameter changes, and 21% and 23% for Ep and beta, respectively. Thus, the echo-tracking system represents a reliable system for estimation of pressure strain elastic modulus and stiffness. However, Ep and beta are systematically underestimated by 25-30%, when used in combination with indirect blood pressure measurements.
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| 3. |
- Elmstahl, S., et al.
(författare)
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Hydrotherapy of patients with intermittent claudication : A novel approach to improve systolic ankle pressure and reduce symptoms
- 1995
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Ingår i: International Angiology. - 0392-9590. ; 14:4, s. 389-394
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective. To study the effects of alternating cold and hot water therapy on walking ability and systolic blood pressure in claudicants. Experimental design. A prospective case study with repeated measurements before and 1, 4 and 12 months after treatment. The systolic blood pressure levels were measured with an occlusion cuff for brachial and ankle and with a strain gauge for the first toe. Study population. Twenty consecutively included patients, 11 women and 9 men; mean age 73.9 yrs, with intermittent claudication according to clinical examination and ankle-arm systolic blood pressure (AAI) below 0.90. Intervention. Alternate hot and cold hydrotherapy of the legs were given at ten 25-minute treatments during a three-week period. The outcome measures were maximal walking ability (MW), walking ability before pain (PW) and systolic blood pressures of toe, ankle, arm and AAI. Results. Fourtheen patients (70%) reported reduced pain after treatment and their PW increased from 134 ± 29 m to 415 ± 119 m 12 months later (p < 0.05) and the MW in the total group increased form 348 ± 75 m to 523 ± 103 m. Systolic blood pressure increased in right ankle and toe one month after treatment in the total group. Among those who reported improved walking ability one year after treatment, systolic blood pressure in both right and left ankles and toes increased; e.g. right toe increasing from 72 ± 7 to 86 ± 2 (p < 0.001). Improvements of systolic blood pressure in left and right leg and changes of walking ability were correlated, in the order of 0.60 to 0.81, p < 0.05. Conclusions. Showering the legs of claudicants improved walking ability and blood pressures which sustained up to 1-year later. This therapy might be an additional alternative to conservative treatment of intermittent claudication.
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| 4. |
- Bergqvist, D, et al.
(författare)
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Die Kosteneffektivitat in der Pravention postoperativer Thromboembolien
- 1993
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Ingår i: Orthopade. - 1433-0431. ; 22:2, s. 140-143
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Awareness of cost-effectiveness aspects has become increasingly important within the health care sector in times of constrained resources. Health economics deal with methods of making choices under conditions of uncertainty and provide models for decision making. A key question is to compare alternative strategies. Within the field of prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism general thromboprophylaxis is cost-effective provided that the frequency of deep vein thrombosis is higher than 10%. Diagnostic screening and selective treatment of detected thrombosis is always the least cost-effective alternative. Although detailed analyses are still lacking it seems as if the use of low molecular weight heparins is more cost-effective than unfractionated low dose heparin. Besides saving lives by preventing fatal pulmonary embolism an adequate thromboprophylaxis also will provide monetary savings.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Bergqvist, D, et al.
(författare)
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The cost-effectiveness of prevention of post-operative thromboembolism
- 1990
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Ingår i: Acta chirurgica Scandinavica. Supplementum. - 0301-1860. ; 556, s. 36-41
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In recent years, value for money in health care has become of increasing concern. There are various ways to perform an economic evaluation, the most simple being a cost-effectiveness analysis, where differences in costs will influence the choice between methods. Cost-utility and cost-benefit analyses represent more advanced forms of economic evaluations. In this cost-effectiveness analysis, the following three strategies aimed at solving the problem of post-operative thromboembolic complications were compared: (a) no prophylaxis but treatment of occurring complications, (b) general prophylaxis with low-dose heparin for patients over 40 years of age and (c) selective treatment based on post-operative surveillance with a fibrinogen uptake test. Moreover, these alternatives were evaluated for three types of surgery: general abdominal surgery, cholecystectomy and elective hip surgery. Costs for thromboembolic and haemorrhagic complications were estimated from data available for patients hospitalized in Malmo. A sensitivity analysis was made with regard to the frequency of thrombosis, prophylactic effect and treatment costs. Health care costs would be minimized with general prophylaxis in hip and general surgery, whereas no prophylaxis is the most cost-effective alternative in cholecystectomy patients, i.e. with a frequency of thrombosis below 8%. General prophylaxis minimized the duration of patients' health losses due to thromboembolic disease in general, as well as in elective hip surgery. After cholecystectomy, no difference in health loss for the individual was found between the alternative of no prophylaxis and general prophylaxis. Selective treatment was always the least satisfactory alternative in all categories and always the most expensive.
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| 8. |
- Bergqvist, D, et al.
(författare)
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Thromboprophylactic effect of low molecular weight heparin started in the evening before elective general abdominal surgery: a comparison with low-dose heparin
- 1990
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Ingår i: Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis. - 1098-9064. ; 16:Suppl., s. 19-24
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A prospective randomized double-blind trial was performed comparing conventional low-dose heparin with a LMWH fragment (Kabi 2165, Fragmin) for thromboprophylaxis in elective general abdominal surgical patients. The first dose of the fragment was given in the evening before surgery, and thereafter every evening. There were 1002 analyzable patients, 826 having received correct prophylaxis. Sixty three percent of the patients were operated on for malignant diseases. The frequency of DVT was significantly reduced among patients with correct prophylaxis with the heparin fragment (9.2 to 5.0%, p = 0.02). In patients with malignancies the reduction was from 11.2 to 6.4% (p = 0.06). The frequency of bleeding was 6.7% among the heparin fragment patients and 2.7% among the patients given conventional heparin (p = 0.01). The corresponding frequencies for patients with malignancies were 3.2 and 2.8%, respectively (p = 0.28). All bleedings were minor and of no clinical significance. Local pain at the injection site was reported significantly less often among patients with the fragment. Twenty patients died, 13 with malignant disease, mortality being the same in the two groups. It is concluded that heparin fragment administered in the evening before surgery and then every evening is a practically acceptable alternative to prevent postoperative DVT in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery, also when the histology shows malignancy. Thus, the advantages of using LMWH compared with conventional low-dose heparin are simplified administration routines, better thromboprophylactic effect, and less local pain at injection sites. A disadvantage is the slight increase in hemorrhagic side effects, all of minor clinical importance and not seen in patients undergoing surgery for malignancy.
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| 9. |
- Bergqvist, D, et al.
(författare)
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Thromboprophylaxis in emergency surgery
- 1993
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Ingår i: Haemostasis. - 0301-0147. ; 23:Suppl. 1, s. 51-56
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Except for hip fracture surgery, emergency surgery has been only exceptionally studied concerning thromboprophylaxis. There are, however, several reasons to believe the frequency to be fairly high and that the patient group would be in need of prophylaxis. This paper discusses various emergency situations and also gives the design for an ongoing controlled study on the effect of postoperative start of thromboprophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin in emergency abdominal surgery.
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| 10. |
- Falke, P, et al.
(författare)
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Intraplaque haemorrhage at carotid artery surgery--a predictor of cardiovascular mortality
- 1995
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Ingår i: Journal of Internal Medicine. - 1365-2796. ; 238:2, s. 131-135
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE. To ascertain whether carotid intraplaque haemorrhage (IH) in patients undergoing carotid artery surgery is a predictor of increased cardiac mortality over a 5.5 year follow-up. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS. Carotid artery plaques were obtained at surgery from 47 consecutive patients (41 men, six women), median age 67 (range 48-81) years, with symptoms of carotid transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) or carotid territory minor stroke. As determined at preoperative angiography, the degree of stenosis was 50-99%. Specimens were classified histologically as manifesting severe atherosclerosis, fibrous plaque, IH, or residual IH debris. SETTING. Medical Angiology and Vascular Surgery Units, Malmo General Hospital. INTERVENTION. Carotid endarterectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE. Correlation between mortality and IH. RESULTS. At follow-up after 5.5 years, mortality was 28% (13/47) overall, 92% (12/13) in the IH subgroup [of stroke (n = 1) or myocardial infarction (n = 11)], but only 3% (1/34), of pancreatic cancer, in the non-IH subgroup (P = 0.0001). Mortality was also significantly higher in the severe atherosclerosis than in the fibrous plaque subgroup, 39% (12/31) vs. 6% (1/16) (P = 0.044), but not significantly increased in any other subgroup (fibrous plaque, residual IH, TIA, minor stroke, or acetylsalicylic acid or anticoagulant treatment). No correlation existed between IH or death and haemoglobin value or platelet count. CONCLUSIONS. Evidence of recent IH seen at carotid artery surgery may be a marker of cardiovascular mortality. As IH was also found in a post-mortem control subgroup, the difference may be due to abnormality in blood components (e.g., coagulation factors) or impaired vessel-wall healing capacity (e.g. endothelial dysfunction).
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