Biomedical subjects

Alberto Caggiati

Publications and source records attributed to Alberto Caggiati.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

The overlapping of local iron overload and HFE mutation in venous leg ulcer pathogenesis.

Chronic venous stasis determines red blood cell extravasation and either dermal hemosiderin deposits or iron-laden phagocytes. Several authors have suspected that iron could play a role in the pathogenesis of venous leg ulcers. They hypothesized that local iron overload could generate free radicals or activate a proteolytic hyperactivity on the part of metalloproteinases (MMPs) or else down-regulate tissue inhibitors of MMPs. However, they were unable to explain why iron deposits, visible in the legs of patients with chronic venous disease (CVD), cause lesions in only some individuals, whereas in others they do not. We hypothesized that such individual differences could be genetically determined and investigated the role of the C282Y and H63D mutations of the HFE gene. C282Y mutation significantly increases the risk of ulcer in primary CVD more than six times (OR = 6.69; 1.45-30.8; p = 0.01). Patients carrying the H63D variant have an earlier age of ulcer onset, by almost 10 years (p > 0.004). The increased risk of skin lesion and the early age of onset of the disease in HFE carriers confirm in a clinical setting that intracellular iron deposits of mutated macrophages have less stability than those of the wild type. We hypothesize that the physiologic iron protective mechanisms are affected by the HFE mutations and should be investigated in all diseases characterized by the combination of iron overload and inflammation.

Female↗

PubMed2006

Age-related variations of varicose veins anatomy.

BACKGROUND: Primary varicose veins are commonly considered a progressive disease starting from the saphenous junctions and extending to tributaries in a retrograde fashion along the saphenous trunks. This theory has been criticized by studies indicating different patterns of development and progression of varicose veins. To contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease, the anatomy of the venous bed was comparatively evaluated by duplex sonography in patients with varicose veins with a marked difference in age. METHODS: The study included 100 varicose limbs in 82 patients aged < 30 years and 238 limbs in 183 patients aged > 60 years. Veins were designated as saphenous veins (SVs), tributaries of the SVs (STVs), and veins not connected with the SVs (NSVs). Four main anatomic patterns were comparatively evaluated: (1) varicose changes only along SVs, (2) varicose changes along SVs and STVs, (3) varicose changes only in STVs, and (4) varicose changes only in NSVs. RESULTS: SVs were normal in 44% of varicose limbs. In most limbs from young subjects, varicose changes afflicted only SVTs (25%) and NSVs (36%). Varicose SVs were more frequent in the older group (62%) than in younger one (39%) owing to a higher prevalence of limbs with combined SV and STV varicosities (respectively, 59% and 37%). In the older group, varicosities in the STVs were more frequently observed in association with incompetence of the SV trunks. CONCLUSION: The frequent occurrence of normal SVs in varicose limbs of all patients does not support the crucial role commonly credited to SVs in the pathogenesis of primary varicosities. Moreover, the SV trunks were normal in most varicose limbs from young patients. These findings suggest that varicose disease may progressively extend in an antegrade fashion, spreading from the STVs to the SVs. This hypothesis suggests that the saphenous trunks could be spared in the treatment of a relevant number of varicose legs. Prospective longitudinal studies with serial duplex evaluations of large series of extremities are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Nomenclature of the veins of the lower limb: extensions, refinements, and clinical application.

The relative deficiency of the official Terminologia Anatomica with regard to the veins of the lower limbs was responsible for a nonuniform anatomic nomenclature in the clinical literature. In 2001, an International Interdisciplinary Committee updated and refined the official Terminologia Anatomica regarding the veins of the lower limbs. Recommendations for terminology were included in an updating document that appeared in the Journal of Vascular Surgery (2002;36:416-22). To enhance further the use of a common scientific language, the committee worked on the present document, which includes (1) extensions and refinements regarding the veins of the lower limbs; (2) the nomenclature of the venous system of the pelvis; (3) the use of eponyms; and (4) the use of terms and adjectives of particular importance in clinical vascular anatomy.

Humans↗

PubMed2004

The discovery of perforating veins.

Many authors of the 19th century are erroneously credited for their discovery of perforating veins. In this report, we show the first representations of perforating veins, dated 1793. These are from the German anatomist Justus Christian Von Loder, who correctly described most of the groups of perforating veins we currently know. These drawings have never appeared in the modern literature.

Anatomy↗

PubMed2004

The "T" vein.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Dermatology↗

PubMed2002

The saphenous vein: derivation of its name and its relevant anatomy.

Generally, when the origin of the word saphenous is discussed, most affirm that the term derives from the Greek word safaina, which means "evident." The ancient Greeks knew only the caudal portion of the vein, and neither the Greeks nor the Romans used the term saphena. In fact, the term first appeared in the writings of Avicenna. In contrast, the term saphenous is derived from the Arabic el safin, which means "hidden" or "concealed." Ancient Arabic physicians knew the anatomy of superficial veins of the human body and its extremities because they performed therapeutic bleeding. Arabic physicians phlebotomized the distal portion of the greater saphenous vein (GSV) at the ankle. Such phlebotomies were never performed on the proximal portions of the GSV because they were not superficial enough to be clearly evident. As a consequence, the proximal GSV was called el safin, or "the concealed." The modern reader will recognize that based on duplex examination, the GSV is correctly identified on the basis of its deep position with the superficial fascia covering it. This information may be useful in modern saphenous vein surgery in identifying the proximal portion of the GSV.

Humans↗

PubMed2002

Nomenclature of the veins of the lower limbs: an international interdisciplinary consensus statement.

An agreement on anatomic terminology is the foundation for a common language in medical science and for an effective exchange of information. A thorough review of the literature has shown need for revision and extension of the official terminologia anatomica with regard to the veins of the lower limb. The foundation of this consensus document was laid by the faculty at a precongress meeting of The Fourteenth World Congress of the International Union of Phlebology (IUP), held in Rome on September 8-9, 2001, under the auspices of the IUP, the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA), and the Federative International Committee on Anatomical Terminology (FICAT). The official names of some veins have been changed according to the guidelines of the FICAT. In addition, previously unnamed veins have received names relevant to their anatomy and clinical significance. Some of the terminology recommendations are innovative, but were judged to be correct by members of the committee.

Anatomy↗