Effects of rosuvastatin as an adjuvant treatment for deep vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Statins have been reported to help prevent the development and the recurrence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We conducted a prospective randomized clinical trial to compare the effects of rosuvastatin plus a low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), bemiparin, with conventional LMWH therapy in the treatment of DVT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 234 patients were randomized into two groups, 116 in the LMWH group and 118 in the statin plus LMWH group. All patients underwent lower limb duplex ultrasound and analytic markers at diagnosis and three months of follow-up. The final analysis included 230 patients. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in D-dimer levels after three months of follow-up between patients treated with LMWH+rosuvastatin compared to the LMWH group (802.51 + 1062.20 vs. 996.25 + 1843.37, p = 0.897). The group of patients treated with statins displayed lower levels of CRP (4.17 + 4.27 vs. 22.39 + 97.48, p = 0.018) after three months of follow-up. The Villalta scale demonstrated significant differences between groups (3.45 + 6.03 vs. 7.79 + 5.58, p = 0.035). There was a significant decrease in PTS incidence (Villalta score> 5) in the rosuvastatin group (38.3 % vs. 48.5%, p = 0.019). There were no differences in EuroQol score between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant rosuvastatin treatment in patients diagnosed of DVT improve CRP levels and diminish PTS incidence.

Beneficial effects of intra-arterial and intravenous prostaglandin E1 in intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

OBJECTIVES: Ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is encountered in conditions that diminish intestinal blood flow. There is no clinically feasible technique available for mucosal preservation. METHODS: One hundred Wistar rats were subjected to intestinal ischaemia for 15 and 60 min (I15', I60'), followed by 1 and 7 days of reperfusion (R1d, R7d). Rats were subjected to ischaemia by clamping the superior mesenteric artery. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) (2.500 ng/kg intra-arterial bolus or 20 ng/kg intravenous infusion) was administered immediately prior to the commencement of the experimental period. Animals were divided into 20 groups: sham (laparotomy alone), sacrificed at 1 or 7 days; saline administration, 15 or 60 min of ischaemia, 1 or 7 days of reperfusion; prostaglandin E1 administration, 15 or 60 min of ischaemia, 1 or 7 days of reperfusion, each one for intra-arterial or intravenous administration. Ileal segments were excised and assessed for histopathological score, polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocytes encountered and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity measurement. RESULTS: I/R caused deterioration of histological characteristics. Prophylactic administration of PGE1 resulted in a significant decrease in the histological score compared with the respective saline group (analysis of variance, P < 0.005). In groups treated with PGE1, PMN leucocyte infiltration was lower for the 60 min of ischaemia group (I60'/R1d *P = 0.026; I60'/R7d P = 0.015). I15'/R7d did not lead to a significant reduction in PMN infiltration (P = 0.061). Pretreatment with PGE1 attenuates MPO levels after intestinal I/R injury (P < 0.05). No differences were encountered between types of administration. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study showed that administration of prostaglandin E1 prevents I/R injury by diminishing histological damage parameters, inhibiting PMN leucocyte infiltration and attenuating MPO activity.

Low-molecular-weight heparin for prevention of venous thromboembolism after varicose vein surgery in moderate-risk patients: a randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after varicose vein surgery (VVS) is not well recognized. Observational studies have yielded variable estimates of the risk, but evidence from randomized trials is lacking. Our aim was to compare the use of thromboprophylaxis with and without low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). METHODS: We prospectively randomized moderate-risk patients scheduled for VVS in two arms. The first group of patients received bemiparin for 10 days at a prophylactic dose, early ambulation, and compression therapy for 3 months; the second group received early ambulation and compression therapy alone. The primary efficacy outcome was the composite of DVT (symptomatic or asymptomatic detected by mandatory, bilateral duplex scan). Secondary efficacy and primary safety end points were superficial venous thrombosis, postoperative bleeding, and clinical pulmonary embolism (PE). We assessed transient and permanent risk factors for venous thromboembolism. RESULTS: Two-hundred sixty-two patients were eligible for evaluation. There were no cases of DVT. There were also no cases of clinical PE, death, or major bleeding. No significant differences were seen between groups in the rates of bleeding episodes. CONCLUSION: The data show no superiority of a short-term regimen of LMWH and early ambulation and compression therapy, as compared with early ambulation and compression therapy alone, in patients undergoing VVS in a moderate-risk population.

Intraoperative embolization with poloxamer 407 during surgical resection of a carotid body tumor.

Surgical excision is the preferred definitive treatment for carotid body tumors, although postoperative morbidity rate as quoted in the literature is rather high. Morbidity includes cranial nerve dysfunction, stroke, and the majority severe blood loss. Embolization of the feeding branches of the external carotid artery can be performed a few days prior to surgery with the intention to decrease blood loss during operation, facilitate surgical resection, and reduce operating time and morbidity. The special risk of embolization is migration into the intracranial circulation. Poloxamer 407, a reverse-thermal polymer, is a nontoxic compound that is a viscous liquid at room temperatures but instantly changes to a firm water-soluble gel when warmed to body temperature. It dissolves spontaneously or can be dissolved at will by cooling. We describe an intraoperative technique for complete devascularization of carotid body tumor by using an intraarterial temporary occlusion technique with a poloxamer 407.