Effects of tripterygium glycosides on restenosis following endovascular treatment.

The mechanism and associated factors of restenosis following intravascular stent implantation remain to be elucidated. The present two­part experimental and clinical study aimed to investigate the effects of tripterygium glycosides on in­stent restenosis subsequent to intra­arterial therapy. Following endovascular stent implantation in rabbit iliac arteries, post­stent outcomes were evaluated in cyclosporine groups, low­dose and high­dose tripterygium glycosides groups and controls. Post­operative angiography indicated that vessel diameters were similar between groups; however, at 28 days after receiving the therapeutic agents, vessels of the cyclosporine and tripterygium glycosides groups were significantly larger than those of the controls. Furthermore, three groups of patients had comparable baseline levels of interleukin (IL)­10, IL­18 and C­reactive protein, and intima­media thickness. However, 1 month after stent implantation, levels of IL­10 and IL­18 were markedly reduced in the high­ and low­dose tripterygium glycosides groups compared with controls. At 6 months after surgery, the stent patency rate in patients with bare stents was significantly lower than in patients receiving tripterygium glycosides (P≤0.009). In addition, the ankle­brachial index was also higher than in those without tripterygium glycosides (P<0.001). Results of the experimental and clinical studies suggest that tripterygium glycosides may inhibit and possibly aid in the prevention of in­stent restenosis formation following endovascular treatment of lower­extremity artery disease.

Prevention of pulmonary embolisms associated with vena cava filter implantation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevention of pulmonary embolism (PE) by the implantation of inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs). METHODS: Data of 1058 patients treated for lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) between January 2005 and January 2012 were analyzed retrospectively and divided into those with and without PE. RESULTS: Of the 1058 patients, 34 had PEs (3.2%) and 1024 did not. Multivariable analyses showed that PEs were less likely to occur in patients with IVCFs than in those without IVCFs (odd ratio [OR] = 0.028, P < 0.001), and were more likely to occur in patients with vena cava thrombosis than in those without vena cava thrombosis (OR = 19.094, P < 0.001). Analyses stratified by DVT site showed that vena cava thrombosis was the only risk factor of PE for patients with a left DVT (crude OR = 12.814, P < 0.001), and IVCF implantation was the only protective factor for PE for patients with a right or bilateral DVT (crude OR = 0.028, P = 0.001). IVCF patency rate for follow-up was 98.7% with no filter migration, declination, or failure of expansion. CONCLUSIONS: IVCFs can reduce the occurrence of PEs in patients with DVTs.

[Leihong granule intervened in-stent restenosis after endovascular therapy for lower extremity arterial occlusive diseases: a clinical observation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the intervention effect of Leihong Granule (LG) in in-stent restenosis (ISR) after endovascular therapy for lower extremity arterial occlusive diseases (LEAOD). METHODS: Recruited 80 LEAOD patients who successfully underwent endovascular therapy (balloon dilation and stent implantation) were randomly assigned to two groups, the control group and the LG group, 40 in each group. Patients in the control group received basic treatment, while those in the LG group additionally took LG for 3 months. Plasma levels of IL-10, IL-18, CRP, and the intima-media thickness (IMT) of lower extremity artery were observed in the two groups between and after treatment. The rate of stent patency, ABI, intermittent claudication, rest pain, and the incidence of amputation the two groups were recorded and observed in the two groups. RESULTS: In the control group, serum levels of IL-10, IL-18, CRP, and IMT were significantly higher one month after surgery than before surgery (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in serum levels of IL-10, IL-18, CRP, or IMT between the two groups before surgery (P > 0.05). These indices were obviously lower in the LG group than in the control group after surgery (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the incidence rates of intermittent claudication and the rest pain at 6 months and 12 months after surgery significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The stent patency rate at 6 months and 12 months after surgery, and ABI were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the amputation rate between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: LG might effectively improve ischemic symptoms of affected limbs possibly through lowering the ISR rate after endovascular therapy for LEAOD through preventing immunosuppressive actions.