Endothelial progenitor cells as a therapeutic option in peripheral arterial disease.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are a subpopulation of bone-marrow mononuclear cells that are capable of generating new blood vessels in areas of ischaemia or infarction. This review examines the regenerative potential of EPC to ameliorate peripheral ischaemia. METHODS: An online search was done using OVID Medline Search, PubMed, and Cochrane Review Database, for all reviews and original articles in English concerning progenitor or bone-marrow mononuclear cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There are many controversies in EPC research, especially in the areas of identification, characterization, and therapeutic use. Both animal and human studies have shown benefits from using EPC to combat peripheral arterial and cerebrovascular disease. To bring EPC into wider clinical use, larger controlled clinical trials and better methods of augmenting EPC function and lifespan are required. Until then EPC should be used under robust trial conditions with ethical approval.

Predictors of return to work following carotid endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is an important part of secondary prevention in selected patients following a transient ischaemic attack or stroke. A key marker of success, return to work following surgery, was assessed in a retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Patients from the UK aged less than 65 years at operation were sent a questionnaire concerning return to work after CEA. Data were analysed using univariable tests and logistic regression. RESULTS: Some 174 (64.4 per cent) of 270 patients responded; their median age was 60 (range 35-64) years and 124 were men. Seventy-five per cent of respondents employed preoperatively returned to work following CEA. Newly retiring patients were older (62 versus 58 years; P < 0.001). Univariable analysis confirmed that age and preoperative stroke influenced return to work. The adjusted odds ratio for patients with versus without a preoperative stroke was 0.46 (95 per cent confidence interval 0.22 to 0.97) (P = 0.040). Median convalescence was 4 weeks, but was shorter in the self-employed (P = 0.039) and prolonged in patients with symptomatic cardiovascular disease (P = 0.023) and those who required postoperative critical care (P = 0.039). CONCLUSION: Return to work following CEA was influenced by age and preoperative stroke.

Laparoscopic appendicectomy: calculating the cost.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic appendicectomy is a commonly performed procedure presenting a considerable cost burden. Given the additional operative costs of laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy, it is not clear whether the national tariffs are appropriate for laparoscopic appendicectomy. We conducted a study to establish the institutional costs, and to determine whether re-imbursement according to the national tariffs was sufficient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were collected prospectively on patients undergoing laparoscopic appendicectomy within Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust. Theatre and bed costs were obtained. Cost analysis was performed, and costs were compared to the re-imbursement due. RESULTS: Fifty laparoscopic appendicectomies were performed. Median operative time was 60 min. The median total operative cost of laparoscopic appendicectomy was pound906. Median equipment cost for laparoscopically completed cases was pound254. Median total in-patient cost was pound1617 (range, pound880- pound3360). This compared with a mean re-imbursement of pound1981 representing a cost benefit of pound233 per case (P = 0.0009). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a liberal use of disposable equipment, laparoscopic appendicectomy can still be performed within the confines of the national tariffs. There is a considerable variation in the cost of this procedure, and it may be possible to reduce costs by more stringent use of disposable equipment and standardising recovery protocols.