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O Pichot

Publications and source records attributed to O Pichot.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Sub acute ischemia of a lower limb in a patient with juvenile peripheral arterial disease and arterial cocaine toxicity].

A 35-year-old woman was hospitalized for subacute ischemia of the left leg following an intermittent claudication for some weeks. She also presented paleness and coldness of both hands. The radial pulses could not be palpated. Smoking was the only cardiovascular risk factor. Duplex ultrasonography and angiography revealed a left popliteal thrombus combined with low diameter leg arteries and in the upper limbs stenosis of the left radial artery and thrombosis of the right radial artery. Search for a metabolic, embolic or thrombophilic etiology was negative. More minute history taking revealed use of cannabis and recent nasal administration of cocaine. Her condition improved with heparin therapy except for the upper limbs with ischemia of the hands and disabling Raynaud's phenomenon. This report highlights the combined arterial toxicity of drugs often used together by drug addicts. The association of cannabis use and tobacco smoking is not rare in patients with Buerger-like juvenile arteriopathy and cocaine may provoke peripheral vascular disease by embolism or in situ thrombosis. Interrogation of a patient presenting with Buerger-like peripheral arterial disease should insist on detecting use of drugs in association with tobacco smoking.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Prospective randomised study of endovenous radiofrequency obliteration (closure) versus ligation and vein stripping (EVOLVeS): two-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: To study intermediate clinical outcomes, rates of recurrent varicosities and neovascularisation, ultrasound changes of the GSV, and the quality of life changes in patients from EVOLVeS trial. METHODS: Forty five patients were re-examined 1 year and 65 two years after treatment. Follow-up visits included clinical examination with CEAP classification and calculation of venous clinical severity score (VCSS), ultrasound examination, and a quality of life questionnaire. RESULTS: The clinical course of the disease (CEAP, VCSS) was similar in the two treatment groups. 51% of the GSV trunks occluded by RFO underwent progressive shrinkage with the external diameter decreased from 6.3 SD 1.4 mm at 72 h after treatment to 2.9 SD 1.5 mm at 2 years. An additional 41% of the GSV became undetectable by ultrasound at 2-year follow up. In two patients we observed re-opening of an initially closed GSV lumen. Neovascularisation was found in one RFO case and in four S and L cases. Cumulative rates of recurrent varicose veins at combined 1 and 2 years follow-up were 14% for RFO and 21% for S and L (NS). The difference in global QOL score in favour of RFO re-appeared at 1 year and remained significant at 2 years after treatment. CONCLUSION: The 2-year clinical results of radiofrequency obliteration are at least equal to those after high ligation and stripping of the GSV. In the vast majority of RFO patients the GSV remained permanently closed, and underwent progressive shrinkage to eventual sonographic disappearance. Recurrence and neovascularisation rates were similar in the two groups although limited patient numbers prevent reliable statistical analysis. Improved quality of life scores persisted through the 2-year observations in the RFO group compared to the S and L group.

Angioplasty↗
PubMed2005

[Optimizing history taking for evaluating the risk of venous thromboembolism: the OPTIMEV study].

UNLABELLED: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent disease and remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity among our patients. During the 20 past years, clinical description, diagnostic tools, and treatment have changed dramatically. Most published data describing risk factors for VTE no longer apply to the patients seen in daily practice. We present here the rationale, aims, and methodology of the OPTIMEV Study (OPTimisation de l'Interrogatoire pour la Maladie thromboEmbolique Veineuse). RATIONALE: Risk factors for VTE are numerous, complex and interactions between them and their clinical importance is difficult to measure (table I). For example, odds ratios for VTE recurrence vary greatly across longitudinal studies. We searched the National Library of Medecine (PubMed) and the Amedeo website using the following keywords: "venous thromboembolism", "pulmonary embolism", "deep vein thrombosis", "risk factors". We selected 84 relevant articles published between 1972 and 2005. Based on this literature analysis, we identified the following major risk factors: VTE recurrence, surgery, cancer, immobilization, age, biological factors. For these factors, data are lacking and some questions are proposed. OBJECTIVES: The broad objective of the study is to better evaluate clinical risk factors that fit today's practice against VTE. Specific aims are: 1) to determine whether risk factors are different between proximal and distal deep vein thrombosis (DVT); 2) to develop and prospectively validate a new prediction rule for outpatients. The primary hypothesis is that careful assessment of VTE recurrence, adequate surgical thromboprophylaxis, cancer staging, and varicose vein stratification according to the CEAP classification, is mandatory for accurate evaluation of thromboembolic disease risk. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, prospective, cohort study of 10000 patients. Enrollees are inpatients and outpatients presenting with a clinical suspicion of VTE in Emergency Departments and outpatient clinics in France. 4173 patients have been enrolled at this time (Figure 2). All eligible patients are enrolled during a selected period of time through different seasons. Data are collected by physicians in charge of the patients using an electronic case recording form. Collected data include baseline characteristics, risk factors, results of diagnostic investigations. Outcome measures obtained through telephone interview at 3 and 12 months include cancer diagnosis, VTE recurrence, haemorrhagic events, treatments, death. Univariate and multivariate analysis will be performed using multilevel logistic regression. The study organization is performed by the Centre d'Investigation Clinique de Grenoble and is sponsored by the French Society of Vascular Medicine. First results, to be published in 2006, will allow development of new prediction rules for VTE diagnosis.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

[Impact of an education program on patient behaviour favoring prevention of drug-related adverse events: a pilot study in patients receiving oral anticoagulants for thromboembolic venous disease].

OBJECTIVE: Adverse events related to oral anticoagulants represent a major public health problem. Including patient education as part of the prevention strategy could contribute to improved effectiveness and safer use of drugs. The present study aimed at evaluating the outcomes of a patient education program inspired by recommendations from French Health Authorities (AFSSAPS) and based on an "individual guidance" approach. METHOD: The study was conducted in two groups of hospitalized patients treated with oral anticoagulants for thromboembolic disease. Each patient in the first (intervention) group attended an individual teaching session conducted at discharge by a trained pharmacist. Patients in the second (control) group were given usual care. These two groups were compared at inclusion (before intervention) and three months later. The outcomes considered were the acquisition of: 1) knowledge, 2) risk anticipation and compliance behaviours characterized by the stability of INR and the incidence of hemorrhagic episodes during the period of observation. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients (average age 65 years) were included (29 in the intervention group and 30 in the control group). Three months after the intervention, the intervention group exhibited 1) better knowledge (higher rate of restitution of treatment-related information--name of the drug, administration plan, targeted range for INR (...), interpretation of INR results (p<0.05), management of a specific scenario where INR declines concomitant to elevation of anticoagulant dose (p<0.05)); 2) higher rates of relevant behaviours (p<0.05)--in the event of a missed dose, anticipating an event with a high risk of bleeding, dealing with signs of overdose--and higher compliance profile (ns) (stability of INR, and number of hemorragic episodes). A multivariate model integrating the potential explanatory variables for frequency of hemorrhagic episodes at 3 months (demographic data, history of thrombotic disease, INR stability, reference group (intervention/control)), showed that the only variable significantly associated with frequency of bleeding events was the reference group of the patient (p=0.05; odds-ratio=4.5, interval of confidence: [1-21]). CONCLUSION: Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the probability of developing a hemorrhagic event when taking an oral anticoagulant is on average 4-fold greater in patients given usual care than in patients given individual guidance a pharmacist. A larger randomized trial is currently under way in the Rhône-Alpes region, France, to validate these exploratory results.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Prospective randomized study of endovenous radiofrequency obliteration (closure procedure) versus ligation and stripping in a selected patient population (EVOLVeS Study).

PURPOSE: This study was designed as a prospective multicenter randomized comparison of procedure-related complications, patient recuperation, and quality-of-life outcomes between patients undergoing vein stripping with high ligation and patients undergoing great saphenous vein (GSV) obliteration with temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation without adjunctive high ligation (Closure procedure). METHODS: Eighty-five patients (86 limbs) from five sites (France, 2; Austria, 1; United States, 2) were randomly allocated to undergo radiofrequency obliteration (RFO) or stripping and high ligation (S&L). Final analysis included data for 44 limbs in the RFO group and 36 limbs in the S&L group. Follow-up examinations were performed at 72 hours, 1 week, 3 weeks, and 4 months. All patients completed the CIVIQ2 quality-of-life (QOL) questionnaire and underwent clinical and ultrasound examinations at each follow-up visit. RESULTS: Immediate success on the day of treatment was reported for 95% (42 of 44) of limbs in the RFO group and 100% (36 of 36) of limbs in the S&L group. In seven RFO limbs (16.3%) a scan obtained 72 hours after the procedure showed flow in the proximal GSV. Five of these segments had reflux in the open segment. At 1 week two of these closed, and an additional segment closed at 3 weeks. In no cases did flow reappear after complete occlusion of the GSV. Time to return to normal activities was significantly less in the RFO group (mean, 1.15 days; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.05-2.34) compared with the S&L group (mean, 3.89 days; CI, 2.67-5.12; P =.02). In the RFO group, 80.5% of patients returned to routine activities of daily living within 1 day, compared with 46.9% of patients in the S&L group (P <.01). Patients in the RFO group were able to return to work in 4.7 days (CI, 1.16-8.17), compared with 12.4 days (CI, 8.66-16.23) for the S&L group (P <.05). Analysis of the QOL surveys showed statistically significant differences in favor of the RFO group for global score and pain score during follow-up. The magnitude of the difference, however, progressively decreased between 1 week and 4 months. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of significant complications, such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, severe neuritic sequelae, and skin burns, there are significant early advantages to endovascular obliteration of the GSV compared with conventional vein stripping.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Duplex imaging analysis of the long saphenous vein reflux: basis for strategy of endovenous obliteration treatment.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to characterize greater saphenous vein (GSV) reflux in order to better define indications for appropriate endovascular obliteration treatment. METHODS: Color-flow duplex imaging was used prospectively to categorize 133 lower limbs of 102 consecutive outpatients, presenting with chronic superficial vein disease associated with GSV incompetence. Sapheno-femoral junction (SFJ) and tributaries morphology and hemodynamics, and GSV main trunk reflux extent were assessed. RESULTS: GSV reflux was related to terminal valve incompetence in 70 (52.3%) limbs, to sub-terminal valve incompetence in 37 (27.8%), and to segmental incompetence of the GSV trunk in 26 (19.6%). Reflux originated from common femoral vein (CFV) and/or SFJ tributaries and/or GSV collaterals, including multiple origins combinations. CFV was the reflux origin in 77 (57.9%). GSV reflux arose from SFJ or trunk tributaries in 69 (51.9%) and 32 (24%), limbs respectively. Circumflex and superficial epigastric veins were involved in 65.2% and 50.7% respectively of the SFJ tributaries. GSV reflux extended down to the mid-third of the calf or below in only 45 cases (33.7%). The age of the patients was not correlated with reflux origin. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary analysis suggests that in 2/3 of the cases, endovenous obliteration treatment should extent from the thigh to just below the knee. Furthermore, in order to preserve GSV competent valves and collateral veins drainage, treatment should start just below the main SFJ tributary when the terminal valve is still competent, and just below the main branches connection when only the GSV trunk is incompetent.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Critical hand ischemia after angioaccess surgery: diagnosis and treatment.

Severe hand ischemia is an uncommon complication of angioaccess surgery. Prompt recognition is necessary to prevent finger necrosis and permanent nerve damage. Treatment should relieve symptoms without compromising dialysis access. From January 1989 to September 1999, we treated critical hand ischemia in 23 patients (16 men, 7 women), including 8 diabetic patients with a total of 19 arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) and 4 arteriovenous grafts (AVG). In 21 patients, the symptom was critical ischemia, with finger necrosis occurring in 7 patients. In the remaining two patients, the manifestation was acute ischemia due to venous thrombosis. Four patients required finger amputation. Fifteen patients (65%) had previous AVF on the lateral extremity. The mean number of previous AVF in this group was 2.5 (range, 2 to 6). Various treatments were used for arterial insufficiency (n = 20), including ligation of the fistula (n = 8), distal revascularization-interval ligation (DRIL) (n = 4), bypass (n = 4), sympathectomy (n = 1), ligation of the radial artery (n = 1), medical therapy (n = 1), and banding technique (n = 1). Medical therapy and banding relieved symptoms after thrombosis of the AVF. Through the use of DRIL, healing of finger necrosis (n = 3) and improvement of symptoms (n = 1) were achieved. The findings of this study indicate that severe hand ischemia occurs mainly in diabetic patients with multiple previous AVF and finger arteriopathy. DRIL is the conservative treatment of choice, since it can be used to achieve both symptomatic relief and maintenance of dialysis access.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Defining the role of extended saphenofemoral junction ligation: a prospective comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: This study explores the added effect of extended saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) ligation when the greater saphenous vein (GSV) has been eliminated from participating in thigh reflux by means of endovenous obliteration. GSV obliteration, unlike surgical stripping, can be done with or without SFJ ligation to isolate and study SFJ ligation's specific contribution to treatment results. METHODS: Sixty limbs treated with SFJ ligation and 120 limbs treated without high ligation were selected from an ongoing, multicenter, endovenous obliteration trial on the basis of their having primary varicose veins, GSV reflux, and early treatment dates. RESULTS: Five (8%) high-ligation limbs and seven (6%) limbs without high ligation with patent veins at 6 weeks or less were excluded as unsuccessful obliterations. Treatment significantly reduced symptoms and CEAP clinical class in both groups (P =.0001). Recurrent reflux developed in one (2%) of 49 high-ligation limbs and eight (8%) of 97 limbs without high ligation by 6 months (P =.273). New instances of reflux did not appear thereafter in 57 limbs followed to 12 months. Recurrent varicose veins occurred in three high-ligation limbs and four limbs without high ligation by 6 months and in one additional high-ligation limb and two additional limbs without high ligation by 12 months. Actuarial recurrence curves were not statistically different with or without SFJ ligation (P >.156), predicting greater than 90% freedom from recurrent reflux and varicosities at 1 year for both groups. CONCLUSION: These early results suggest that extended SFJ ligation may add little to effective GSV obliteration, but our findings are not sufficiently robust to warrant abandonment of SFJ ligation as currently practiced in the management of primary varicose veins associated with GSV vein reflux.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Role of duplex imaging in endovenous obliteration for primary venous insufficiency.

PURPOSE: To assess the role of duplex imaging in defining suitable pathological anatomy for endovenous obliteration and characterizing its treatment outcomes over time. METHODS: Eighteen lower limbs in 17 patients (12 women; mean age 48 years; range 29-74 years) presenting with varicose greater saphenous veins (GSVs) were treated with endovenous obliteration without adjunctive high ligation. Duplex imaging was used as an intraprocedural guidance tool for vein access and catheter positioning and for preprocedural evaluation and serial surveillance after the procedures. RESULTS: In the 18 limbs, preprocedural duplex scanning defined reflux owing to incompetence of the terminal valve (n = 6), subterminal valve (n = 9), or truncal valve (n = 3). Duplex imaging facilitated percutaneous vein puncture and was essential in catheter positioning at the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ). At 1 week, the saphenous trunks of all 18 limbs were either shrunken and obliterated (n = 7) or occluded by thrombus without shrinkage (n = 11). By 6 months, 7 GSVs were no longer sonographically visible, 10 were shrunken and obliterated, and 1 had a segmental partial recanalization. In the 15 limbs with terminal or subterminal valve incompetence at 1 week, 5 had total SFJ obliteration, 4 had > or =1 patent tributaries draining directly into the femoral vein through an open SFJ, and 6 had > or =1 patent tributaries draining into an open SFJ through a short (<2 cm) proximal saphenous trunk. By 6 months, only 1 limb had total SFJ occlusion; the other 14 had at least 1 persistent or reopened tributary. CONCLUSIONS: Duplex scanning is indispensable for selecting patients, guiding the procedure, and defining the morphological maturation and hemodynamic changes that appear to characterize successful endovenous obliteration.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Diameters of acute proximal and distal deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs.

BACKGROUND: Duplex ultrasonography of the veins in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) can be interpreted in a semi-quantitative mode by measuring the antero-posterior (AP) diameter of the thrombus. We report the values of the diameters of thrombi and the factors influencing these values. Therefore we propose a quantitative definition for DVT in duplex ultrasonography. METHODS: 1,017 patients (3,767 thrombosed venous segments), referred to the Emergency Angiology Unit from January 1994 to September 1996. Characteristics: 55% F, 45% M; mean age 68+/-18 years; 624 proximal DVT (61%) and 393 distal DVT (39%). Measurement by venous echography of the antero-posterior diameters of thrombi at 25 predetermined sites in the area of the vena cava. RESULTS: (In mm, median, 10th and 90th percentiles after regrouping of contiguous anatomical sites not statistically different): thrombus in the common iliac veins and the inferior vena cava (12 mm, 7-17); external iliac and common femoral veins (9 mm, 5-14); superficial femoral, deep femoral and popliteal veins (6 mm, 4-10); calf veins (5 mm, 4-8). The age of the patients, their sex, body mass index (BMI), whether they were in- or outpatients or the laterality of the thrombus never significantly influenced its diameter. CONCLUSIONS: It is very unusual to observe a diameter of under 5 mm in cases of DVT. For clinical research therefore, we propose 5 mm as the minimum threshold value for this diagnosis. This value could be used in the venous echographic definition of DVT, as a criterion for inclusion in a therapeutic trial, for example, or in an epidemiological study.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Criteria for quantification and characterization of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta using ultrasonography. The AFFCA study. French Association of Continuous Education in Angiology].

OBJECTIVE: To validate ultrasonographic quantification and characterization criteria for aneurysms of the abdominal aorta (AAA) by comparing computed tomography data and surgical findings in order to standardize diagnosis and follow-up of AAA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicentric prospective study included 80 patients with AAA (January to August 1996). Standardized data on quantitative (diameter, surface area) and qualitative (topography, form, wall, thrombus) data were obtained at each ultrasound examination and at surgery. Ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) explorations were performed and interpreted without prior knowledge by independent operators. US findings versus CT reference were compared in 77 cases, US findings versus surgical reference in 31, and CT findings versus surgery reference in 28. RESULTS: Compared with CT-scan, B mode ultrasound (n = 77) underestimated the anteroposterior diameter of the aneurysm (mean difference -2.16 mm; p < 0.001), the anteroposterior diameters of the flow channel lumen (-5.54 mm; p < 0.001) and upper neck of the aneurysm (-2.74 mm; p < 0.001). Surface area measurements were not significantly different both the aneurysmal sac (p = 0.3) and the flow channel lumen (p = 1). Compared with surgical findings, US (n = 30) underestimated the transverse diameter (mean difference (-4.29 mm; p = 0.0037). Compared with surgery, US findings (n = 28) were not significantly different for the anteroposterior ans transverse diameters. Analyzing the form and wall of the AAA, US/CT-scan performance was good for symmetrical fusiform aneurysms (sensitivity 77%, specificity 67%). US and CT-scan were reliable for detecting wall bugles (same sensitivity, 29%). The angle formed by the thrombus with the wall (expressed in degrees) was not significantly different (p = 0.9). When the lower pole of the aneurysm was situated above the aortic bifurcation, US (sensitivity 75%) was more reliable than the CT-scan (sensitivity 50%) compared with surgical findings. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography should not be limited to the simple positive diagnosis of AAA. A precise analysis of the diameters and surface areas of the aneurysm should be performed.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Color Doppler ultrasonography in the study of orbital and ocular vascular diseases].

Color Doppler flow imaging was performed in 10 healthy controls and in 32 patients with orbital and retinal vascular diseases in order to investigate ocular arterial supply. Abnormal changes of the orbital blood flow observed in case of dural fistula, orbital varicosis and choroidal melanoma is described. In patients with central retinal vein occlusion, substantial arterial flow disturbances were found, such as the reduction of the retinal artery systolic peak flow (p < 0.55) and absence of diastolic flow (p < 0.001). Abnormal changes of the retinal arterial blood flow (reduction of the systolic peak flow or even extinction of the Doppler signal) were also detected in patients with occlusion of the central retinal artery and in some cases of severe stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery. The color Doppler flow imaging appears as a promising technique for the investigation of the vascular diseases of the eye. It may provide useful clues for the differential diagnosis of optic neuropathies and allows haemodynamic characterization of different vascular diseases of the eye such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Partial interruption of the inferior vena cava: ten-year evolution in protocols at Grenoble University Hospital. Study of 621 patients.

An evolution in protocols regarding indications and modalities for Partial Interruption of the Inferior Vena Cava (PIIVC) on 621 patients at Grenoble University Hospital is reported and the influence of new methods in diagnosis (vascular sonography) and therapy (percutaneous filters) is assessed. This comparative study covers the intervals from 1982-1984 (Period A - 333 patients), and 1989-1991 (Period B - 288 patients). The percentage of patients with venous thromboembolic disease who underwent PIIVC clearly decreased (21.8% in period A vs. 13% in period B, p < 0.01). The incidence of what are currently miscalled "prophylactic", but are in fact adjunctive indications also diminished (115 patients in period A, or 34.5% of the PIIVC cases vs. 60 patients in period B, or 20.8% of the PIIVC cases, p < 0.05). There was a reduction in the use of Miles caval clips (59 patients or 17.7% for period A vs. 34 patients or 11.8% for period B, p < 0.05). Although there has been an increase in the use of percutaneous caval filters, the use of percutaneous filters has not lead to an increase in the real rate of PIIVC performed by an Angiology Unit with a large experience in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with venous thromboembolic disease.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed1995

[Manual fragmentation of deep vein thrombosis].

To preserve the venous function after deep vein thrombosis, physical treatment combines elastic stockings, active exercises, lower limbs elevation, ventilatory exercises and manual lymph drainage. When this traditional treatment is not sufficient, we use a new technique. It aims at fragmenting thrombus by compressing it between the physiotherapist's fingers and the patient's bone. In order to define the fragmentation sites we use the Triplex ultrasonography. This technique has been tested on ten patients with serious thrombosis, whom the thromboembolic risk was first controlled. The evaluation was performed by the clinical examination, echography and occlusive impedance plethysmography rheography. The improvement of the subjective and objective signs leads to use our technique. It has to be validated on a larger scale to extend its use.

Female↗
PubMed1994

[Computerized medical register of venous thromboembolic disease at the Grenoble University Hospital Center: description and evaluation].

The number of vascular exams for venous thromboembolic disease increases dramatically in the vascular medicine unit at the Grenoble University Hospital (France). In order to improve the efficiency and the homogeneity of all the medical staff involved, a computerized register has been created. It automatically provides a letter for the prescriber of the consultation. This database, working on a computer network, has three main functions: office automation (medical folder, report), education, and clinical research. The office automation evaluation is performed after a 6 month experience, comparing 100 medical reports about venous thrombosis assisted by the computer to 100 medical reports written before the installation of the system. The introduction of digitized register is real, still this evaluation has induced some modification in the system in order to be more efficient.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[Carotid stenoses. Non-invasive exploration].

Doppler flowmeter and ultrasound imaging techniques, currently associated (duplex), have made important contributions to the simple and early non invasive diagnosis of carotid stenosis lesions in the cervical region for more than 20 years. These exploratory methods are reliable when a significant degree of stenosis (greater than about 60%) exists. Moderate degrees of stenoses or plaques are evaluated morphologically, calcifications and ulcerations being enhanced by staining techniques. But the evaluations have not really demonstrated exact correlations between anatomicopathologic and ultrasound images. The intracranial arteries and the circle of Willis are explored indirectly during the cervical examination by cautious compressive maneuvers or directly by trans-cranial Doppler. Whereas angiography competes with ultrasound imaging as a standard examination in the neck region, it nevertheless remains effective for the study of the intracranial arteries. Newer techniques, such as high-field MRI angiography, tridimensional ultrasonography or ultrasound recording of vascular flow rate without Doppler, will doubtlessly transform the diagnosis of symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid stenosis. From the strategic point of view, ultrasound imaging techniques will retain their role of a decisional pivot, since they are simple to use and are of very wide accessibility to competent vascular physicians in the context of an organized care network.

Carotid Stenosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Echographic and Doppler screening of the forearm arteries in professional volleyball players.

We evaluated nine professional volleyball players by clinical, echographic, and Doppler technique examination of the forearm and digital arteries to determine vascular damage caused by repeated trauma. The results of these tests showed that one-third of the subjects had vascular lesions in the right hand; only one of these was symptomatic. This suggests that noninvasive screening should be recommended and included in the regular medical check-ups of professional athletes in whom repeated trauma to the hand is likely, such as volleyball players.

Adult↗