[How well aware of their risk profile are patients with peripheral occlusive arterial disease?]. / Fragebogenaktion zur arteriellen Verschlusskrankheit: Kennen die Patienten ihr individuelles Risiko?

Today, the majority of physicians no longer consider the well-informed patient to be something of a headache--rather, they welcome him as a partner in the management of his disease. The reason for this is that the more he knows about his illness, the more reliably will he comply with the physician's proposed treatment, the more readily he will be- come aware of side effects, and will thus actively contribute to his recovery. With the aid of easy-to-complete questionnaires, the state of knowledge of POAD patients about their disease was determined. The information thus gained may be considered the basis for an individual physician/patient talk.

[Treating chronic occlusive arterial disease]. / Stadiengerechte Therapie der chronisch arteriellen Verschlusskrankheit: "Wenn nur das Bein dran bleibt"!

The basis for the treatment of chronic occlusive arterial disease, in whatever stage, is the management of the cardiovascular risk factors as a secondary preventive measure. In the absence of contraindications, every symptomatic POAD patient should be given an antiplatelet agent. In stage I disease, prevention of progression is the overriding aim. In stage II, risk factor management and an antiplatelet agent are indicated. In addition to a walking exercise program, the reconstruction of occluded vessels may be indicated. The decision to apply interventional treatment or vascular surgery in stage II and IV disease; must be based on the morphology of the vascular lesion and concomitant diseases. If revascularization is not possible, treatment with PGE1 is recommended. As a life-saving measure when all else has failed, an amputation must be done.

[Ambulatory vascular exercise training in Dortmund]. / Ambulante Gefässsportgruppe in Dortmund - Langzeitergebnisse nach 9 Jahren -

Peripheral arterial occlusive disease is chronic and progressive. One of the reasons is lack of movement. The pain-free walking distance can be increased permanently through walking exercises described in the guidelines of the German Society for Vascular Training. Form and order of the training are described. The pleasure in movement and preservation of the own activity increases the motivation of the participants.

[Out-patient treatment of deep vein thrombosis: management and experience of two vascular care centres in Germany]. / Die ambulante Therapie der akuten tiefen Beinvenenthrombose - Erfahrungen aus zwei Praxen für Gefässkrankheiten in Deutschland -

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In Germany there are still major reservations about using low molecular weight heparin for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis. Based on encouraging international reports, we have been establishing a primarily out-patient management of thrombosis since 1996. In our centres for vascular diseases we tried to evaluate the suitability of such a regimen for the treatment of patients in Germany. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1996 and October 1999 we evaluated the possibility of an out-patient therapy for all patients with acute deep vein thrombosis who had been referred to our institution. Suitable patients were treated with an initial daily dose of 200 IU Dalteparin per kg body-weight in addition to compression therapy. RESULTS: During this time we treated 587 patients with deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities (41 % men and 59 % woman with a mean age of 60.3 +/- 13.8 years) of whom 105 were hospitalised. Out-patient therapy was without any complications in 94.2 % of the remaining 482 patients. Overall mortality was 0.4 % (2 patients). The deaths occurred without apparent relationship to the kind of therapy. Progressive thrombus extension occurred in five patients, symptomatic pulmonary embolism in one patient and >>recurrent thromboembolic events<< in nine patients. These results correspond with the good efficacy of Dalteparin as expected from the data in the literature. Severe bleedings were not observed. Three patients experienced mild bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude from our data that, in accordance with international studies, an out-patient thrombosis management with Dalteparin is efficacious and safe.

[Nuclear magnetic resonance tomography of meniscus lesions]. / Kernspintomographie von Meniskusläsionen.

In magnetic resonance imaging (MR) the use of suitable surface coils combined with high resolution makes it possible to obtain differentiated information on the condition of the menisci. In particular, the course and extent of cracks, degenerative changes, and the attachment zones of the menisci can be assessed. This paper describes MR and clinical findings in 58 patients and compares them with those in seven healthy subjects.

[Meniscus imaging in MR tomography using surface coils. Anatomy, areas of degeneration, laceration formation]. / Meniskusdarstellung in der MR-Tomographie mit Oberflächenspulen. Anatomie, Degenerationszonen, Rissbildungen.

High resolution MR imaging using surface coils and thin-section techniques provides specific information when evaluating meniscal diseases. Extension and localisation of meniscal tears can be demonstrated as well as meniscal attachment areas. Diagnosis of degenerative changes is possible. We examined 7 healthy volunteers and 58 patients with suspected knee injuries. This study was done to discuss the use of MRI in the evaluation of meniscal diseases.