Forty-one patients with rheumatoid arthritis, including 6 with acute vasculitis, 13 with chronic vasculitis, and 22 without vasculitis, were studied for evidence of intravascular coagulation and fibrinolysis (ICF). The mean plasma fibrinogen levels were elevated in all groups. The fibrinogen, platelet count, and fibrin split products were usually elevated in acute vasculitis. Fewer patients on corticosteroids had abnormal coagulation tests. Active plasmin was detected in 12 patients primarily with chronic vasculitis. Plasminogen activator activity was not diminished in vascular endothelium of normal appearing skin of those patients with or without vasculitis. None of the patients demonstrated decompensated intravascular coagulation and fibrinolysis. The results suggest overcompensated ICF occurring in rheumatoid arthritis, but rheumatoid patients with vasculitis cannot be clearly distinguished from those without vasculitis on the basis of the usual tests performed for coagulation and fibrinolysis abnormalities.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Case report: Association of giant cell arteritis and pituitary tumor. Report of two cases.

Two patients with giant cell arteritis and visual deficits were found to have pituitary tumors, which accounted for the optic findings. The various ophthalmologic abnormalities in these two conditions, which were apparently coincidentally associated in these two patients, are compared. These cases illustrate the importance of careful neuro-ophthalmologic examination and roentgenograms of the head in patients with giant cell arteritis who have visual field loss.

Adenoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The "Shaggy" aorta.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Embolism, Cholesterol↗