GliSODin, a vegetal sod with gliadin, as preventative agent vs. atherosclerosis, as confirmed with carotid ultrasound-B imaging.

Prevention of cardiovascular disease should target high-risk subjects based on genetic/familial factors, blood chemistry, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and a history of/or current cigarette smoking. We selected active adults (n=76) aged 30-60 and investigated these risk factors, in order to recommend preventive measures. Another interesting variable is the preclinical status or atheroma of the arterial (carotid) wall or lumen. We also investigated the presence of oxidative stress in, and the anti-oxidant status of these subjects. We studied the anti-oxidative efficacy of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and variations of malondialdehyde (MDA). Supplementation with GliSODin, a vegetal SOD associated with gliadin, was effective in controlling the thickness of the carotid artery intima and media layers as measured by ultrasonography-B. We could demonstrate the preventive efficacy of GliSODin at a preclinical stage in subjects with risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

[Platelets fatty acid variation in patients with atherosclerosis (author's transl)]. / Variation des acides gras plaquettaires chez des malades atherosclereux.

Plasma linoleic acid levels were found to be low in the atherosclerosis patients investigated. In contrast, platelet arachidonic acid levels were decreased only when atherosclerosis was combined with diabetes or mixed hyperlipidemia. In acute vascular thrombosis, a marked decrease in platelet arachidonic levels occurrrd, irrespective of whether the patient had atherosclerosis or not.

Evaluation of ifenprodil efficacy on exercise-induced tissue ischemia in stage II arteriopathy by measurement of transcutaneous oxygen tension during a standard treadmill test: double-blind study of injectable ifenprodil versus placebo.

Measurement of transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO2) is a noninvasive and easily reproducible method for objectifying and quantifying exercise ischemia in patients with stage II occlusive arterial disease. This technique is also used at rest to evaluate the therapeutic effect of vasoactive treatments. To objectively assess the effectiveness of a vasoactive treatment on the conditions of tissue perfusion, a randomized double-blind study of ifenprodil tartrate versus placebo was performed in 20 patients, whose TcPO2 was continuously measured while they walked on a treadmill. Patients treated with ifenprodil improved significantly as compared with the placebo group, for both the half-hypoxia area, representing the overall evolution of the tissue ischemia (+34.9% and -16.0%, respectively, p = 0.01), and the half-hypoxia recovery time, estimating the postexercise recovery time (+30.2% and -3.6%, respectively, p < 0.05). This study confirms that the continuous measurement of TcPO2 during the recovery phase after exercise represents an objective method for the evaluation and follow-up of patients with stage II intermittent claudication. The results enabled the objective assessment of ifenprodil efficacy on the evolution of tissue hypoxia.

Titrated extract of Centella asiatica (TECA) in the treatment of venous insufficiency of the lower limbs.

Ninety-four patients suffering from venous insufficiency of the lower limbs participated in a multicenter, double-blind versus placebo study. After randomization, they were allotted for a treatment period of two months to one of three groups: TECA 120 mg/day, TECA 60 mg/day, or placebo. A significant difference (p less than 0.05) in favor of TECA was shown for the symptoms of heaviness in the lower limbs and edema, as well as for the overall evaluation by the patient. The venous distensibility measured by a mercury strain gauge plethysmograph at three occlusion pressures was improved for the TECA groups but aggravated for the placebo group.

Glucose and erythrocyte ATP: distinctive effects of dipyridamole and of ticlopidine.

This experiment suggests the following points: 1. Erythrocytes in control patients and in atherosclerosis patients seem to have a variable grade of affinity for adenosine and for plasma glucose. This variable grade seems to fix the level of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) reserves and induces the erythrocytes' deformability. 2. The drop in the level of ATP reserves that induces the poor deformability of the erythrocytes in atherosclerosis patients would appear to be caused by two consecutive shortages: first a shortage that seems to be related to a deficiency of erythrocyte adenosine as the ATP shortage disappears with dipyridamole treatment and then a shortage induced by the lack of erythrocyte glucose and suppressed by the addition of ticlopidine to the dipyridamole treatment.

Short-term evaluation of plaque area measurement reproducibility from computer-assisted sonography.

One reason why quantifying plaque regression is difficult is the poor spatial control of the shooting angle whether in angiography or ultrasonography techniques. A computer-assisted technique has been developed to assess absolute carotid plaque dimensions from B-mode ultrasonography, with enhanced capability of comparative examinations at large time intervals. Plaque area is measured from arterial lumen to adventitia with a real-time tissular detection program. Further measurements on the same patient are made using an echo-specific mask automatically generated by the computer from the original section. For an average sonographer, the manipulation takes no more than ten minutes for each view. In order to determine the reproducibility of this technique, a repeated measurement study (T0, T1, T2) was carried out on 8 patients with moderate to severe atherosclerotic lesions at carotid localizations. The plaque areas ranged from 52.7 to 202.3 mm2 (120.7 +/- 61). The coefficients of correlation between the measurements (T0-T1, T0-T2) were respectively 0.93 and 0.96 (P < 0.0001). The mean coefficient of variation (+/- SD) was 9.8% +/- 4.8. This study shows the feasibility of an accurate follow-up for atherosclerotic patients, with a two-dimensional plaque quantification, closer to the reality of the evolution of the pathology than the usual scoring system.

Atherosclerosis and cerebral ischemic attacks: intakes of cerebrography with xenon133 inhaled and platelet tests in the diagnosis, clinical and therapeutic monitoring; the preventive role of dipyridamole.

A study of patients to develop the significance of the role of the blood platelets in the recurrence of transient cerebral ischemic attacks in patients with cerebral atheromatous, develop the effectiveness of dipyridamole in the prophylactic therapeutic regimen. In the group treated with dipyridamole, a 76.3% clinical improvement was recorded (mean increases of 11.2 ml/min. and 11.4 ml/min. of the cerebral hemispheric flows), 15.8% of cases stabilized (mean increases of 1.7 ml/min. and 1.2 ml/min.) and 7.9% failures (mean decreases of 10.4 ml/min. and 14.3 ml/min.) of these same flows. The cerebrography with xenon133 inhaled as well as the platelet tests used, constitute unfailing means of diagnosing and monitoring the clinical development.

Objectifying exercise ischemia in peripheral vascular disease: a study in 120 patients.

This study presents the results of transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) monitoring during a treadmill test walk performed in the early stages of peripheral obliterative vascular disease. The study population consisted of a first group of 50 known arteriopathic patients presenting, on questioning, with intermittent claudication; a second group of 50 known arteriopathic patients void of any symptoms of intermittent claudication; and a third group, which was a control cohort of 20 nonarteriopathic, nonclaudicating patients. Though resting TcPO2 cannot be used to aid the clinical diagnosis of exercise ischemia it may be useful in revealing asymptomatic chronic resting ischemia (9% of cases in this series). On the other hand, a posteffort (recovery phase) fall in TcPO2 had a predictive positive diagnostic accuracy for ischemia on exercise in 99% of the cases reported here versus 87% for clinical appraisal. In the light of these results, TcPO2 measurements coupled to a treadmill test walk perfectly ascertain exercise ischemia in arteriopathic patients, whether asymptomatic or not, and avoid the false-positive results obtained by clinical evaluation.

Platelet hyperaggregability, blood prostacyclin and dipyridamole.

This study demonstrates the presence of PGI2 in blood and its influence on platelet retention tests, possibly by the intermediate of a releasing system in the columns, which is followed by a proximate recuperation on the erythrocyte sites after the passage. The presence of prostacyclin on the erythrocyte sites seems to depend upon the red cell deformability in relation to the good condition of their erythrocyte ATP reserve. The load of the erythrocyte sites increases with the daily dose of dipyridamole. The maximum load of the sites appears to be reached with a daily dose of dipyridamole 450 mg. Approximately 10% of the atherosclerosis patients who have been treated by dipyridamole keep their platelet hyperaggregability and their abnormally lowered prostacyclin level.

[Effect of coenzyme A (COA) on the 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha content of the aorta of rats made diabetic with streptozotocin. Potential mechanism of action of its favorable effect on microcirculatory disorders in man]. / Influence du coenzyme A (COA) sur la teneur en 6 ceto prostaglandine F1 alpha d'aortes de rats rendus diabétiques par la streptozotocine. Mécanismes d'action possible de son effet bénéfique sur les perturbations microcirculatoires chez l'homme.

The production of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, a stable metabolite of the vasodilator prostacyclin (PGI2), by fragments of the thoracic aorta of rats made diabetic by streptozotocin, was evaluated by radio-immunological assay. The level of production was found to be statistically higher (p less than or equal to 0.01) in the group treated with Coenzyme A (CoA) than in the placebo group. The authors suggest that the mode of action of CoA 1000 much greater than in microcirculatory pathology could involve an increased production of vasodilator prostacyclin.

[Anatomic and functional features of venous valves]. / Particularités anatomiques et fonctionnelles des valvules veineuses.

The comparison of the venous system in the human organism, and in particular the venous valves of the lower limbs, with studies conducted in animal models helped us to understand better the mechanisms involved in adapting to the upright position and walking. We examined work conducted in several species from the horse to the dog, especially in animals who often take on an upright position such as the chimpanzee and the kangouroo, in search for structures comparable to those in man. Different types of valves can be described in man: flotting valves (bicuspid, pigeon nest valves); reinforced valves (mid-thigh); reinforcing valves (periarticular zone in the knee); finally, "flat" valves which are highly resistant formations but with little anti-back flow action. We also describe valvular structures with muscle cells found in the plantar aspect of the foot and the veins of the quadriceps muscle, these valves may have an active hematopropulsive action (Bassi). These results allowed us to identify certain common points between the structures observed in the posterior legs of certain animals and to propose models for investigating venous diseases.

[Microcirculatory changes following psychoaffective shocks]. / Modifications microcirculatoires sous l'effet de chocs psycho-affectifs.

The basis for the study conducted was a clinical observation: the fairly stereotyped microcirculatory disorders occurring during "affective" neuroses. Examinations were performed initially with the capillaroscope alone and then this was combined with plethysmography and Doppler tests in the hands and the fingers (9.2 MHz sound). Fifty-two patients were examined (30 by capillaroscopy alone and 22 with associated plethysmography and Doppler to the hands). A more psychiatrically orientated consultation with 51 of these patients indicated that an affective shock had preceded the onset of the acrosyndrome in 27 cases. The syndromes provoked may be severe and may lead to pseudo-necrotic lesions. High doses of vascular tonics are necessary, the condition being made worse by the tricyclic antidepressants.

[Alpha blockers and microcirculation (author's transl)]. / Alpha bloqueurs et microcirculation.

The new compounds such as Prazosin are antihypertensive agents. Their action on blood pressure are a consequence of a direct action on vascular smooth muscle with little or no effect on cardiac output. This action is very important to reduce total peripheral resistance. In our Vascular Laboratory, we study 14 patients treated by Prazosin. They were all studied by capillaroscopy, ultrasonic investigations and plethysmography. Since Prazosin is primarily an alpha receptor blocker, it might be expected to have an action in microcirculation and in vasospastic diseases. We don't find modifications of microcirculation in seven people treated for hypertensive disease. Among seven patients with Raynaud phenomenon, we have only a good result in one case (Buerger disease) and two cases with a little increase of the fingertips blood flow.

[Endoscopic study of reflux of the saphenous valve]. / Etude endoscopique des reflux valvulaires saphéniens.

Saphenous venous endoscopy, invasive and non-physiological, enables the in vivo and in situ observation of the valve system. A saphenous vein has a preferential flattening axis parallel to the outside of the skin with two walls, internal and external, and two borders. A valve is inserted on one vein wall, with the valve horns being on the borders. The free borders of a bivalve are parallel with the surface of the skin. The valve system has an antireflux function. There are three main causes of reflux in the saphenous veins: 1. Transitory functional incompetence affecting valves of normal appearance. This incompetence results from valve inertia, flattening of the valve against the sinus wall and loss of co-adaptation. Do active factors producing closure of the valve cup exist against such transitory incompetence? 2. Incongruity between the vein wall and valves. The intercorneal or commissural space allows reflux on the border of the vein. This is the commonest cause of reflux in varicose disease of the vein wall. 3. Actual valve lesions. A distinction is drawn between lesions due to thinning, elongation, stretching, splitting or tearing and those due to thickening, retraction or adhesion. Endoscopy has enabled us to discover cases of varicose disease with predominantly valvular lesions in young individuales in whom early lesions of the valve cup cannot be explained by venous wall disease and has led us to complete the classification of varicose disorders.

[Beta blockers and disturbances of the microcirculation (author's transl)]. / Béta bloqueurs et troubles de la microcirculation.

Study of 192 cases of hypertensive patients, 89 of whom were treated by diet, general advice and correction of risk factors for an average period of 8 months. The group of patients treated beta blockers consisted of 103 subjects, 28 of whom received Propranolol, 29 Oxyprenolol, 20 Atenolol and 26 Practolol. The prevalence of Raynaud's phenomenon was markedly greater in the patients treated with beta blockers, in comparison with the group not receiving any drugs. The highest incidence of vasomotor problems was seen in the group of subjects treated with Propranolol, with 57% of patients having a Raynaud-type paroxysmal acrosyndrome. In more than half of the cases attributed to Propranolol, the clinical picture of Raynaud's syndrome was severe. Discussion of the mode of action of beta blockers on the microcirculation.

[Treatment of Horton's disease]. / Le traitement de la maladie de Horton.

716 cases collected from 9 recent studies published between 1981 and 1985 served as a basis for a general review of the current treatment of temporal arteritis. Steroid therapy was instituted as first intention in 652 cases, high dose treatment was continued for between 8 days and 3 months but the majority of authors started a reduction in the dosage from the 4th or 5th week. There was no overall agreement regarding the duration of maintenance therapy nor the criteria allowing its discontinuation, and withdrawal was not possible before the 25th month on average. The ideal initial dosage, in the absence of randomized studies, remains to be defined: generally around 0.5 mg/kg/d in milder forms, the dosage may be increased to 1 mg/kg/d in the presence of complicated temporal arteritis. Besides cortico steroid therapy, other treatments are successively envisaged: synthetic anti-malarials (SAM), non steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAI), dapsone... while these are generally used as back-up treatment, David-Chausse used SAM as first intention, combined in 17 cases with NSAI in 61 of his 66 patients, with very promising results which require confirmation in other studies. In this review the cure rate was around 25% and the relapse rate 38%; complications related to the disease occurred in 19%, while almost one patient in two--47%--developed iatrogenic complications. Blindness dominates the prognosis, and occurred in 15% of cases, most often as an inaugural event, it very rarely regressed on steroid treatment. Although death occurred in 18% of cases, the prognosis of temporal arteritis generally remains favorable, with a 5 year survival curve identical to a control population.

[Carotid surgery, indications, results and perspectives]. / Chirurgie carotidienne, indications, résultats et perspectives.

A series of 215 patients who had undergone 250 carotid artery operations were followed up for a mean of 30 months. Perioperative mortality was 2%, neurologic morbidity was 7% but with permanent sequelae in 1.39% of cases. Recurrence of stenosis was detected in 0.8% of patients but there were no cases of postoperative thrombosis. Indications for surgery were based on the existence of hemispheric ischemic accidents corresponding to the territory supplied by the artery operated upon, and on anatomic and evolutive arguments drawn from results of non-invasive review examinations: ultrasonography and Doppler. Results obtained: 81.9% of patients were asymptomatic after 30 months, appear to be superior to those of the natural history of carotid artery lesions.

[Venous endoscopy]. / Endoscopie veineuse.

The miniaturization of endoscopic equipment now allows exploring the superficial venous system and visualizing the endovein in situ and in vivo. This type of venous endoscopy is an ambulatory procedure, performed during a simple outpatient consultation of angiology, after which the patient is immediately discharged. Although this examination is invasive, non-physiological and expensive, it allows the video recording of the morphology, dynamics and kinetics of the values, of the endovein and of the liquid flows (blood, washing fluid and sclerosing products). The new examination has already enabled us to propose an functional classification of the parietal valves of the great saphenous vein. It makes an intraoperative three-dimensional mapping of the vessels possible, which is sometimes difficult in such particular anatomical regions as the popliteal fossa. It allows performing sclerosis with a visual control and following up the evolution of the immediate endoparietal lesions in situ.

[Modification of the level of adenosine triphosphate in digital pulp capillary blood in patients with microcirculatory disorders following i.v. injection of coenzyme A (CoA 1000)]. / Modification du taux d'adénosine tri-phosphate (ATP) dans le sang capillaire prélevé au niveau de la pulpe digitale, dans les troubles de la microcirculation, après injection i.v. de coenzyme A (CoA 1000).

Capillary blood ATP assay was performed in 2 groups of patients (diabetic and non-diabetic) with disorders of microcirculation, before and several minutes after 2 mg I.V. of Coenzyme A (CoA 1000). Values obtained showed a significant increase in both groups. The hypothesis advanced, based on previous experimental data indicating an action of CoA on intracellular calcium movement, is that CoA 1000 acts by elevation of the membrane ATP/Ca+ ratio of red corpuscles, and possible activation of their deformability and flow rate in the microcirculation.

[Discrete distal gangrene]. / Gangrènes parcellaires distales.

The authors present their statistical findings from 114 cases of discrete distal gangrene. They stress the importance of a rigorous methodology to detect mechanical causes from the thoracic outlet syndrome and immunological causes, predominantly scleroderma, especially in women. It is important not to overlook blood diseases nor those cases which are a presentation of underlying cancer. Finally, the iatrogenic cause is now well known. Treatment depends on the causes of this distal lesion. However, in cases of severe connective tissue disease, the use of plasmapheresis is beginning to give interesting results.