Substrate specialisation drives an unexpectedly diverse radiation in barking geckos (Ptenopus: Gekkonidae).

Barking geckos (genus Ptenopus) are terrestrial, burrowing lizards endemic to southern Africa, currently with three recognised species. Two species are range-restricted (P. kochi and P. carpi) and display clear differences in substrate preference (soft sand vs. hard gravel). The third and most widespread species, P. garrulus, occurs on a variety of substrates of differing hardness, across potential geographic barriers, and over a steep climatic gradient. Variations in morphology and advertisement calls indicates that P. garrulus may be a species complex. Two subspecies of P. garrulus are currently recognised: P. g. maculatus and P. g. garrulus. To investigate species boundaries, we produced the first comprehensive phylogeny for the genus. We used a novel application of multiple regression on matrices models to assess multiple environmental drivers of diversification, as contrasted to isolation by distance. We show that P. kochi, P. carpi, and P. g. garrulus are valid species, but that P. g. maculatus is a paraphyletic complex of five previously unrecognised taxa. Specialisation onto different substrates was likely the main driver of divergence, with parapatric occurrence of two to four clades occurring at each of the three substrate transition zones identified a priori. The region encompasses diverse bioclimatic regions and potential geographic barriers, and these likely played a role in some divergence events.

25 mm Hg versus 35 mm Hg elastic compression stockings to prevent post-thrombotic syndrome after deep vein thrombosis (CELEST): a randomised, double-blind, non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: The optimal strength of compression needed to prevent post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) after a proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is debated. We aimed to assess whether 25 mm Hg elastic compression stockings (ECS) are non-inferior to 35 mm Hg ECS in preventing PTS after a DVT. METHODS: In this multicentre, double-blind, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial, we enrolled adults (≥18 years) with a first ipsilateral proximal DVT attending 46 French vascular medicine hospital departments or private practices. Participants were randomly allocated (1:1, stratified by centre, age, and sex; with varying block sizes of two and four) to wear 25 mm Hg or 35 mm Hg ECS for 2 years. The primary outcome was the cumulative rate of PTS 2 years after inclusion, defined by a Villalta scale (≥5). Efficacy was assessed by intention-to-treat and in eligible participants who had complete primary outcome data. A per-protocol analysis was also conducted among compliant patients as a secondary outcome measure. Safety was assessed in all participants who used ECS at least once, and for which we have at least some tolerance information during follow-up. The margin for non-inferiority was 12·5%. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01578122, and has been completed. FINDINGS: Between June 28, 2012, and July 21, 2017, we enrolled 341 eligible participants who consented to randomisation. 233 (68%) were men and median age was 59 years (IQR 45-70). Collection of ethnicity and race as a routine research variable is not authorised in France. Median follow-up was 735 days (IQR 721-760). 249 (73%) had complete data at 2 years. For the primary analysis, 40 (31%) of 129 participants with complete data in the 25 mm Hg ECS group and 40 (33%) of 120 in the 35 mm Hg group had PTS (absolute difference -2·3% [90% CI -12·1 to 7·4], pnon-inferiority=0·0062; relative risk 0·93, 95% CI 0·65 to 1·33). Results remained similar after imputation of missing data in patients we were authorised to do so: the cumulative proportion of PTS was 45 (29%) of 154 in the 25 mm Hg ECS group versus 52 (35%) of 148 in the 35 mm Hg ECS group (relative risk 0·83, 95% CI 0·60 to 1·16). Absolute difference was -5·9%, (90% CI -14·7 to 2·9), p=0·0003 for non-inferiority. Adherence was optimal (>80% and modified GIRERD score of 0-2) for 75 (51%) of 146 patients assigned to 25 mm Hg ECS and for 56 (42%) of 134 patients assigned to 35 mm Hg ECS (p=0·11). Regarding major adverse events related to ECS, there were no between-group differences in rates of deep vein thrombosis (0 vs 1 [0·6%]), ipsilateral leg ulcer (0 vs 1 [0·6%]), infection (0 vs 0), or death (0 vs 0) between the 169 patients evaluated in the 25 mm Hg ECS group and the 159 patients in the 35 mm Hg ECS group. Two (1%) of 328 patients who ever wore ESC developed ECS-related serious adverse events, one distal DVT and one leg ulcer (both in the 35 mm Hg ECS group). In the 25 mm Hg group, 6 patients died, 14 had a venous thromboembolic recurrence (proximal DVT or pulmonary embolism), and 7 had a major bleed. In the 35 mm Hg group, 5 patients died, 10 had a venous thromboembolic recurrence (proximal DVT or pulmonary embolism), and 6 had a major bleed. INTERPRETATION: Although we did not reach the prespecified sample size, our results suggest that 25 mm Hg ECS are non-inferior to 35 mm Hg ECS in preventing PTS. Larger more powerful studies are needed. FUNDING: Laboratoires Innothera, France.

Chromosomes in the African frog genus Tomopterna (Pyxicephalidae) and probing the origin of tetraploid Tomopterna tandyi.

Speciation by polyploidization has been documented to have independently occurred in 12 families of anuran amphibians. Tomopterna tandyi was described as a South African allotetraploid species of sand frogs in the family Pyxicephalidae. Recent taxonomic revisions and new species descriptions in the genus present problems with respect to the evolution of this tetraploid species. Chromosomes, mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences, isozymes, and male mating calls were examined for T. tandyi and for diploid species of Tomopterna. Mitochondrial sequences confirmed the diploid species, T. adiastola, to be the maternal ancestor that gave rise to the tetraploid about 5 mya. Nuclear sequences and isozymes reveal a complex reticulation of paternal ancestry that may be explained by occasional hybridization of T. tandyi with diploid species of Tompoterna at various times in sympatric populations. Interspecific diploid to tetraploid gene introgression is suspected to have also occurred in Australian and North American tetraploid species of frogs. Diploid to tetraploid introgression is facilitated through triploid hybrids that are more viable than diploid hybrids and produce unreduced triploid eggs.

Finding rare species and estimating the probability that all occupied sites have been found.

Detecting occupied sites of rare species, and estimating the probability that all occupied sites are known within a given area, are desired outcomes for many ecological or conservation projects. Examples include managing all occupied sites of a threatened species or eradicating an emerging invader. Occupied sites may remain undetected because (1) sites where the species potentially occurs had not been searched, and (2) the species could have been overlooked in the searched sites. For rare species, available data are typically scant, making it difficult to predict sites where the species probably occurs or to estimate detection probability in the searched sites. Using the critically endangered Rose's mountain toadlet (Capensibufo rosei), known from only two localities, we outline an iterative process aimed at estimating the probability that any unknown occupied sites remain and maximizing the chance of finding them. This includes fitting a species distribution model to guide sampling effort, testing model accuracy and sampling efficacy using the occurrence of more common proxy species, and estimating detection probability using sites of known presence. The final estimate of the probability that all occupied sites were found incorporates the uncertainties of uneven distribution, relative area searched, and detection probability. Our results show that very few occupied sites of C. rosei are likely to remain undetected. We also show that the probability of an undetected occupied site remaining will always be high for large unsearched areas of potential occurrence, but can be low for smaller areas intended for targeted management interventions. Our approach is especially useful for assessing uncertainty in species occurrences, planning the required search effort needed to reduce probability of unknown occurrence to desired levels, and identifying priority areas for further searches or management interventions.

Correction to the type locality of Tomopterna ahli (Deckert, 1938) (Anura: Pyxicephalidae), with the designation of a neotype.

Deckert described a Tomopterna as Arthroleptella ahli from South Africa in 1938. We demonstrate that the type of Tomopterna ahli (Deckert, 1938) was actually collected in Namibia, and that this nomen is a senior synonym of Tomopterna damarensis Dawood Channing, 2002. We designate a neotype for Tomopterna ahli (Deckert, 1938).

The Effect of a 300 mBar Increase in Barometric Pressure on Digital Microcirculation in Healthy Subjects Exposed to High Altitude: Is the Use of a Portable Hyperbaric Chamber to Treat Frostbite and/or Hypothermia in the Field Indicated? (Flow_Pulse Study).

INTRODUCTION: Hypothermia and frostbite occur when there is a significant decrease in central and peripheral body temperature in individuals exposed to cold windy conditions, often at high altitude or in a mountain environment. Portable hyperbaric chambers increase the barometric pressure and thereby the partial pressure of oxygen inside the chamber, and their use is a well-known treatment for altitude illness. This study aims to show that a portable hyperbaric chamber could also be used to treat hypothermia and frostbite in the field, when rescue or descent is impossible or delayed. METHODS: During a European research program (SOS-MAM, Flow Pulse study) measurements were taken from 27 healthy nonacclimatized voluntary subjects (21 men, 6 women, mean age 41 ± 17) at an altitude of 3800 m (Chamonix Mountain Lab, Aiguille du Midi, France) right before and immediately after spending 1 hour in a portable hyperbaric chamber at 300 mbar. We measured digital cutaneous temperature (Tcut), digital cutaneous blood flow (Fcut), digital tissue oxygenation (TcPO2), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate, and core temperature. Air temperature inside the chamber (Tchamb) was measured throughout the whole session. RESULTS: We observed significant increases in Tchamb: 9.3°C compared with the outside temperature, Tcut: +7.5°C (±6.2°C 71%), Fcut: +58PU (±89) (+379%), TcPO2: +18 mmHg (±11.9) (304%), and SpO2: 13%. CONCLUSION: This study shows that a portable hyperbaric chamber can be used to treat frostbite and/or hypothermia in the field at altitude when descent or rescue is impossible or even simply delayed.

Extreme Climate-Induced Life-History Plasticity in an Amphibian.

Age-specific survival and reproduction are closely linked to fitness and therefore subject to strong selection that typically limits their variability within species. Furthermore, adult survival rate in vertebrate populations is typically less variable over time than other life-history traits, such as fecundity or recruitment. Hence, adult survival is often conserved within a population over time, compared to the variation in survival found across taxa. In stark contrast to this general pattern, we report evidence of extreme short-term variation of adult survival in Rose's mountain toadlet (Capensibufo rosei), which is apparently climate induced. Over 7 years, annual survival rate varied between 0.04 and 0.92, and 94% of this variation was explained by variation in breeding-season rainfall. Preliminary results suggest that this variation reflects adaptive life-history plasticity to a degree thus far unrecorded for any vertebrate, rather than direct rainfall-induced mortality. In wet years, these toads appeared to achieve increased reproduction at the expense of their own survival, whereas in dry years, their survival increased at the expense of reproduction. Such environmentally induced plasticity may reflect a diversity of life-history strategies not previously appreciated among vertebrates.

Quantification of early cutaneous manifestations of chronic venous insufficiency by automated analysis of photographic images: Feasibility and technical considerations.

We postulate that blue telangiectasia and brownish pigmentation at ankle level, early markers of chronic venous insufficiency, can be quantified for longitudinal studies of chronic venous disease in Caucasian people. Objectives and methods To describe a photographic technique specially developed for this purpose. The pictures were acquired using a dedicated photo stand to position the foot in a reproducible way, with a normalized lighting and acquisition protocol. The image analysis was performed with a tool developed using algorithms optimized to detect and quantify blue telangiectasia and brownish pigmentation and their relative surface in the region of interest. To test the short-term reproducibility of the measures. Results The quantification of the blue telangiectasia and of the brownish pigmentation using an automated digital photo analysis is feasible. The short-term reproducibility is good for blue telangiectasia quantification. It is a less accurate for the brownish pigmentation. Conclusion The blue telangiectasia of the corona phlebectatica and the ankle flare can be assessed using a clinimetric approach based on the automated digital photo analysis.

Comparison of one-year prognosis of patients classified as chronic critical lower limb ischaemia according to TASC II or European consensus definition in the COPART cohort.

BACKGROUND: We compared one-year amputation and survival rates in patients fulfilling 1991 European consensus critical limb ischaemia (CLI) definition to those clas, sified as CLI by TASC II but not European consensus (EC) definition. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were selected from the COPART cohort of hospitalized patients with peripheral occlusive arterial disease suffering from lower extremity rest pain or ulcer and who completed one-year follow-up. Ankle and toe systolic pressures and transcutaneous oxygen pressure were measured. The patients were classified into two groups: those who could benefit from revascularization and those who could not (medical group). Within these groups, patients were separated into those who had CLI according to the European consensus definition (EC + TASC II: group A if revascularization, group C if medical treatment) and those who had no CLI by the European definition but who had CLI according to the TASC II definition (TASC: group B if revascularization and D if medical treatment). RESULTS: 471 patients were included in the study (236 in the surgical group, 235 in the medical group). There was no difference according to the CLI definition for survival or cardiovascular event-free survival. However, major amputations were more frequent in group A than in group B (25 vs 12 %, p = 0.046) and in group C than in group D (38 vs 20 %, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Major amputation is twice as frequent in patients with CLI according to the historical European consensus definition than in those classified to the TASC II definition but not the EC. Caution is required when comparing results of recent series to historical controls. The TASC II definition of CLI is too wide to compare patients from clinical trials so we suggest separating these patients into two different stages: permanent (TASC II but not EC definition) and critical ischaemia (TASC II and EC definition).

[Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis: a particular form of venous thromboembolism]. / Thrombose veineuse profonde du membre supérieur: une forme particulière de maladie thromboembolique veineuse.

The incidence of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) is constantly increasing due to frequent insertion of intravenous devices for various indications. Secondary UEDVT represent more than two thirds of cases. Primary UEDVT generally include UEDVT occurring without any triggering factor and UEDVT following intense or repeated efforts or in association with the thoracic outlet syndrome, with a causative link that may be sometimes very difficult to ascertain. As opposed to lower extremity DVT, data remain very scarce and of limited quality in this setting. Diagnosis is mainly based on clinical probability assessment associated with D-dimer measurement and compression ultrasound as first-line imaging. Treatment still consists of therapeutic anticoagulation in the vast majority of cases.

Compression garments and exercise: no influence of pressure applied.

Compression garments on the lower limbs are increasingly popular among athletes who wish to improve performance, reduce exercise-induced discomfort, and reduce the risk of injury. However, the beneficial effects of compression garments have not been clearly established. We performed a review of the literature for prospective, randomized, controlled studies, using quantified lower limb compression in order to (1) describe the beneficial effects that have been identified with compression garments, and in which conditions; and (2) investigate whether there is a relation between the pressure applied and the reported effects. The pressure delivered were measured either in laboratory conditions on garments identical to those used in the studies, or derived from publication data. Twenty three original articles were selected for inclusion in this review. The effects of wearing compression garments during exercise are controversial, as most studies failed to demonstrate a beneficial effect on immediate or performance recovery, or on delayed onset of muscle soreness. There was a trend towards a beneficial effect of compression garments worn during recovery, with performance recovery found to be improved in the five studies in which this was investigated, and delayed-onset muscle soreness was reportedly reduced in three of these five studies. There is no apparent relation between the effects of compression garments worn during or after exercise and the pressures applied, since beneficial effects were obtained with both low and high pressures. Wearing compression garments during recovery from exercise seems to be beneficial for performance recovery and delayed-onset muscle soreness, but the factors explaining this efficacy remain to be elucidated. Key pointsWe observed no relationship between the effects of compression and the pressures applied.The pressure applied at the level of the lower limb by compression garments destined for use by athletes varies widely between products.There are conflict results regarding the effects of wearing compression garments during exercise.There is a trend towards a beneficial effect of compression garments worn during recovery.

Clinical relevance of symptomatic superficial-vein thrombosis extension: lessons from the CALISTO study.

The clinical relevance of symptomatic extension of spontaneous, acute, symptomatic, lower-limb superficial-vein thrombosis (SVT) is debated. We performed a post hoc analysis of a double-blind trial comparing fondaparinux with placebo. The main study outcome was SVT extension by day 77, whether to ≤ 3 cm or > 3 cm from the sapheno-femoral junction (SFJ). All events were objectively confirmed and validated by an adjudication committee. With placebo (n = 1500), symptomatic SVT extension to ≤ 3 cm or > 3 cm from the SFJ occurred in 54 (3.6%) and 56 (3.7%) patients, respectively, inducing comparable medical resource consumption (eg, anticoagulant drugs and SFJ ligation); subsequent deep-vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism occurred in 9.3% (5/54) and 8.9% (5/56) of patients, respectively. Fondaparinux was associated with lower incidences of SVT extension to ≤ 3 cm (0.3%; 5/1502; P < .001) and > 3 cm (0.8%; 12/1502; P < .001) from the SFJ and reduced related use of medical resources; no subsequent deep-vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism was observed in fondaparinux patients. Thus, symptomatic extensions are common SVT complications and, whether or not reaching the SFJ, are associated with a significant risk of venous thromboembolic complications and medical resource consumption, all reduced by fondaparinux.

Novel risk factors for premature peripheral arterial occlusive disease in non-diabetic patients: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of genetic and environmental vascular risk factors in non diabetic patients with premature peripheral arterial disease, either peripheral arterial occlusive disease or thromboangiitis obliterans, the two main entities of peripheral arterial disease, and to established whether some of them are specifically associated with one or another of the premature peripheral arterial disease subgroups. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study included 113 non diabetic patients with premature peripheral arterial disease (diagnosis <45-year old) presenting either a peripheral arterial occlusive disease (N = 64) or a thromboangiitis obliterans (N = 49), and 241 controls matched for age and gender. Both patient groups demonstrated common traits including cigarette smoking, low physical activity, decreased levels of HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (active form of B6 vitamin) and zinc. Premature peripheral arterial occlusive disease was characterized by the presence of a family history of peripheral arterial and carotid artery diseases (OR 2.3 and 5.8 respectively, 95% CI), high lipoprotein (a) levels above 300 mg/L (OR 2.3, 95% CI), the presence of the factor V Leiden (OR 5.1, 95% CI) and the glycoprotein Ia(807T,837T,873A) allele (OR 2.3, 95% CI). In thromboangiitis obliterans group, more patients were regular consumers of cannabis (OR 3.5, 95% CI) and higher levels in plasma copper has been shown (OR 6.5, 95% CI). CONCLUSIONS: According to our results from a non exhaustive list of study parameters, we might hypothesize for 1) a genetic basis for premature peripheral arterial occlusive disease development and 2) the prevalence of environmental factors in the development of thromboangiitis obliterans (tobacco and cannabis). Moreover, for the first time, we demonstrated that the 807T/837T/873A allele of platelet glycoprotein Ia may confer an additional risk for development of peripheral atherosclerosis in premature peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

Predicting deep venous thrombosis in pregnancy: external validation of the LEFT clinical prediction rule.

The assessment of clinical probability represents an important step in the diagnostic strategy of patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis. The recently derived LEFt clinical prediction rule for pregnant women combines three variables: symptoms in the left leg (L), calf circumference difference of 2 centimeters or over (E for edema) and first trimester presentation (Ft) but is lacking an external validation. The LEFt rule was computed among pregnant women with suspected deep vein thrombosis who were included in a multicenter prospective diagnostic management outcome study. We calculated the proportion of women and the prevalence of deep vein thrombosis in each probability group, along with the diagnostic performances of the LEFt rule. All variables needed to compute the rule could be retrieved in 157 of the 167 pregnant women with suspected deep vein thrombosis. The prevalence of confirmed deep vein thrombosis was 13 of 157 (8.3%). The LEFt rule was negative in 46 (29%) women. A deep vein thrombosis was diagnosed in 13 of 111 (11.7%, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 8.3-20.9%) of women with at least one of the LEFt criteria, as compared with none of 46 (0.0%, 95%CI: 0.0-7.9%) of women with none of the LEFt criteria. These results suggest that a negative LEFt rule accurately identifies pregnant women in whom the proportion of confirmed deep vein thrombosis appears to be very low. The rule should not be used as stand-alone test for excluding DVT during pregnancy, but might rather be implemented in a diagnostic strategy in association with D-dimer measurement and compression ultrasonography.

Epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and management of superficial-vein thrombosis of the legs.

Recent data on lower-limb superficial-vein thrombosis (SVT) may substantially impact its clinical management. Particularly, the clear confirmation that SVT is closely linked to deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) highlights the potential severity of the disease. DVT or PE is diagnosed in 20-30% of SVT patients. Moreover, clinically relevant symptomatic thromboembolic events complicate isolated SVT (without concomitant DVT or PE at diagnosis) in 4-8% of patients. For the first time, an anticoagulant treatment, once-daily 2.5 mg fondaparinux for 45 days, was demonstrated to be effective and safe for preventing these symptomatic thromboembolic events in patients with lower-limb isolated SVT in the randomized, placebo-controlled CALISTO study. More recent data from another randomized trial support these findings. New recommendations on the management of SVT patients, including complete ultrasonography examination of the legs and, in patients with isolated SVT, prescription of once-daily 2.5 mg fondaparinux subcutaneously for 45 days on top of symptomatic treatments, may be proposed, wherever the cost of fondaparinux is acceptable. Superficial-vein thrombosis (SVT) of the lower limbs has long been regarded as a benign, self-limiting disease, expected to resolve spontaneously and rapidly, and requiring only symptomatic treatments [1,2]. However, the perception of this disease is now changing with the recent publication of data indicating its potential severity [3] and showing for the first time the benefit of a therapeutic strategy based on the administration of an anticoagulant treatment [4]. The overall management of this frequent disease therefore needs to be reconsidered.

Superficial venous thrombosis and compression ultrasound imaging.

BACKGROUND: A current debate concerning suspected superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) focuses on the need of performing a compression ultrasound (CUS) exploration for confirming the diagnosis of SVT. This study was conducted to determine the clinical relevance and optimal CUS exploration in patients with symptomatic SVT. METHODS: We analyzed the characteristics of SVT and concomitant deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients included in the Prospective Observational Superficial Thrombophlebitis (POST) multicenter, observational prospective study. All patients underwent complete bilateral lower limb CUS, exploring both the superficial and deep venous systems. RESULTS: A total of 844 patients with clinical symptoms of SVT were recruited, of which 99 isolated SVTs (21.4%) had saphenofemoral/popliteal junction involvement, and 198 (23.5%) had a concomitant DVT, with 41.8% of them proximal DVTs. In 83 patients (41.9%), DVT and SVT were not contiguous. Five of 639 patients (1%) had an isolated contralateral DVT (ie, not bilateral). Age ≥ 75 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-3.4), inpatient status (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 3.4-8.7), a personal history of DVT or pulmonary embolism (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2-2.8), and SVT on nonvaricose veins (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 2.1-5.0) were significantly and independently associated with an increased risk of concomitant DVT. Half of the patients exhibited none of these risk factors, and the prevalence of concomitant DVT dropped to 11%. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with symptomatic SVT, a CUS exploration screening the whole venous system of the affected limb is useful because it provides information that has important consequences for the management of these patients.

Recent findings in the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of superficial-vein thrombosis.

Recent data on lower-limb superficial-vein thrombosis (SVT) may substantially impact its clinical management. Thus, the clear confirmation that SVT is closely linked to deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) highlights the potential severity of the disease. DVT or PE are diagnosed in 20-30% of SVT patients. Moreover, clinically relevant symptomatic thromboembolic events complicate isolated SVT (without concomitant DVT or PE at diagnosis) in 4-8% of patients. For the first time, an anticoagulant treatment, once-daily 2.5 mg fondaparinux for 45 days, was demonstrated to be effective and safe for preventing these symptomatic thromboembolic events in patients with lower-limb isolated SVT in the randomized placebo-controlled CALISTO study. Based on these recent findings, new recommendations on the management of SVT patients, including complete ultrasonography examination of the legs, and in patients with isolated SVT, prescription of once-daily 2.5 mg fondaparinux subcutaneously for 45 days on top of symptomatic treatments, may be proposed.

[Epidemiologic and therapeutic advances in superficial venous thrombosis of the legs]. / Epidémiologie et traitement des thromboses veineuses superficielles des membres inférieurs.

Thromboses affecting venous superficial system have been considered as benign diseases. Recent studies demonstrate that they might be associated with more severe venous events (as deep venous thrombosis [DVT] or pulmonary embolism [PE]), initially or during 3-month followup. The POST study presents clinical evolution of 844 patients with superficial venous thrombosis (SVT) of lower limbs. Of note, concomitant DVT and/or symptomatic PE were initially found in one quarter of them. Among the 586 patients with isolated SVT (i. e. without DVT or symptomatic PE, and at more than 3 cm of the saphenofemoral junction), 10% presented with DVT, PE, recurrent or extensive SVT during the 3-month follow-up. These results, as the heterogeneous therapeutic management, were confirmed by another cohort study (OPTIMEV). In the CALISTO study, Fondaparinux, at a dose of 2.5 mg once a day for 45 days was effective in the treatment of patients with isolated SVT of the legs and did not have serious side effects. In absence of contra-indication, this treatment may be preferred in patients with confirmed isolated SVT of lower limb.

[Pulmonary embolism: role of the diagnostic and prognostic scores]. / Embolie pulmonaire: place des scores diagnostiques et pronostiques.

Several diagnostic and prognostic scores of pulmonary embolism have been developed during the last years. Clinical probability assessment remains the cornerstone of every diagnostic algorithm, and using scores facilitates the process. Clinical probability allows identifying those patients in whom pulmonary embolism can be ruled out in combination with a D-dimer test. It also allows defining which patients should receive anticoagulant treatment while awaiting the results of the diagnostic tests. Prognostic scores have also been developed in order to stratify patients for the different therapeutic options: outpatient or inpatient treatment, anticoagulant treatment or thrombolysis or surgical or endovascular mechanical treatment.