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Biomedical subjects

S Ricci

Publications and source records attributed to S Ricci.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

First-line 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid, oxaliplatin and irinotecan (FOLFOXIRI) does not impair the feasibility and the activity of second line treatments in metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: We conducted two phase II trials evaluating the combination of 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid, oxaliplatin and irinotecan (FOLFOXIRI) as first-line treatment in 74 metastatic colorectal cancer patients. Results were very promising with an overall response rate of 71% and 72%, a median PFS of 10.4 and 10.8 months and an overall survival of 26.5 and 28.4 months, respectively. A concern about the use of all three active agents up-front is the possibility that this might limit, after progression, disease control with second-line treatments. Therefore, we conducted the present analysis to evaluate the outcome of second-line treatments in these 74 patients. METHODS: Among the 71 patients so far progressed 54 (76%) received second line chemotherapy (23: FOLFIRI, 17: FOLFOXIRI, five: 5-FU protracted infusion, three: FOLFOX, three: 5-FU+MMC, two: CPT-11, one: CPT-11+LOHP, one: raltitrexed). Seventeen patients (24%) did not receive second line treatments: 10 because of deterioration of performance status (PS), four because of patient refusal and three because of death. Patients' characteristics at the time of second-line treatment were: M/F 36 of 18 patients, median age 64 yrs (range 44-75), ECOG PS>or=1 21 (39%) patients, multiple sites of disease 33 (61%) patients. RESULTS: A median of 4.1 months of second-line chemotherapy per patient were administered (range 1-8). Overall response rate (52 out of 54 evaluable patients) was 33% and stable disease were 19 (37%). Median duration of response was 8.1 months. At a median follow up of 15.1 months from the start of salvage chemotherapy median PFS and overall survival were respectively 6.7 and 15.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: First-line FOLFOXIRI does not impair the possibility to obtain objective responses and delay tumor progression with second line treatments containing the same agents used in first-line.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Detection of occult carcinomatous diffusion in lymph nodes from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using real-time RT-PCR detection of cytokeratin 19 mRNA.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the occult lymph node carcinomatous diffusion in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). A total of 1328 lymph nodes from 31 patients treated between 2004 and 2005 were prospectively evaluated by routine haematoxylin-eosin-safran (HES) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time Taqman reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) assay. Amplification of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) mRNA transcripts using real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify cervical micrometastatic burden. The cervical lymph node metastatic rates determined by routine HES staining and real-time RT-PCR assay were 16.3 and 36.0%, respectively (P<0.0001). A potential change in the nodal status was observed in 13 (42.0%) of the 31 patients and an atypical pattern of lymphatic spread was identified in four patients (12.9%). Moreover, CK19 mRNA expression values in histologically positive lymph nodes were significantly higher than those observed in histologically negative lymph nodes (P<0.0001). These results indicate that real-time RT-PCR assay for the detection of CK19 mRNA is a sensitive and reliable method for the detection of carcinomatous cells in lymph nodes. This type of method could be used to reassess lymph node status according to occult lymphatic spread in patients with HNSCC.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Piracetam for acute ischaemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Piracetam has neuroprotective and antithrombotic effects which may help to reduce death and disability in people with acute stroke. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of piracetam in acute presumed ischaemic stroke. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched 20 June 2005). In addition, we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2005), MEDLINE (1966 to April 2005), EMBASE (1980 to April 2005), and ISI Science Citation Index (1981 to April 2005). We also contacted the manufacturer of piracetam to identify further published and unpublished studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials comparing piracetam with control, with at least mortality reported and entry to the trial within approximately 48 hours of stroke onset. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors extracted data and assessed trial quality and this was checked by the other two authors. Study authors were contacted for missing information. MAIN RESULTS: Three trials involving 1002 people were included, with one trial contributing 93% of the data. Participants' ages ranged from 40 to 85, and both sexes were equally represented. Piracetam was associated with a statistically non-significant increase in death at one month (approximately 31% increase, 95% confidence interval 81% increase to 5% reduction). This trend was no longer apparent in the large trial after correction for imbalance in stroke severity. Limited data showed no difference between the treatment and control groups for functional outcome, dependency or proportion of patients dead or dependent. Adverse effects were not reported. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is some suggestion (but no statistically significant result) of an unfavourable effect of piracetam on early death, but this may have been caused by baseline differences in stroke severity in the trials. There is not enough evidence to assess the effect of piracetam on dependency.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

Prognostic impact of multidrug resistance gene expression on the management of breast cancer in the context of adjuvant therapy based on a series of 171 patients.

Study of the prognostic impact of multidrug resistance gene expression in the management of breast cancer in the context of adjuvant therapy. This study involved 171 patients treated by surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy+/-radiotherapy+/-hormonal therapy (mean follow-up: 55 months). We studied the expression of multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1), multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1), and glutathione-S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) using a standardised, semiquantitative rt-PCR method performed on frozen samples of breast cancer tissue. Patients were classified as presenting low or high levels of expression of these three genes. rt-PCR values were correlated with T stage, N stage, Scarff-Bloom-Richardson (SBR) grade, age and hormonal status. The impact of gene expression levels on 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was studied by univariate and multivariate Cox analysis. No statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between MDR1, MRP1 and GSTP1 expressions. On univariate analysis, DFS was significantly decreased in a context of low GSTP1 expression (P = 0.0005) and high SBR grade (P = 0.003), size > or = 5 cm (P = 0.038), high T stage (P = 0.013), presence of intravascular embolus (P = 0.034), and >3 N+ (P = 0.05). On multivariate analysis, GSTP1 expression and the presence of ER remained independent prognostic factors for DFS. GSTP1 expression did not affect OS. The levels of MDR1 and MRP1 expression had no significant influence on DFS or OS. GSTP1 expression can be considered to be an independent prognostic factor for DFS in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed2006

Development of clinical guidelines: methodological and practical issues.

The key elements for developing a clinical guideline are (a) guidelines are developed by multidisciplinary groups, (b) they are based on a systematic review of the scientific evidence, and (c) recommendations are explicitly linked to the supporting evidence and graded according to the strength of that evidence. Besides reporting the statistical strength of the randomised controlled trial results, it is necessary to consider the strength of the evidence, the methodological quality of the studies and the external validity by applying a "considered judgement" to the whole amount of the data. The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) process for developing guidelines is based on 4 steps: (a) methodological evaluation, (b) synthesis of evidence, (c) considered judgement and (d) grading system. The judgement on grading of recommendations is made on the basis of an (objective) assessment of the study design and quality, and a (perhaps more subjective) judgement of the consistency, clinical relevance and external validity of the evidence. The SPREAD group decided to adopt this methodology starting from the 3rd edition (2003); however, it was agreed to integrate the principles of the SIGN [4] with the statistical considerations on alpha and beta error size suggested by the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine methodology [6], to give a more comprehensive evaluation of the available evidence. By being the product of a multidisciplinary approach, being explicit and providing information on the way agreement has been reached or on the reasons of disagreement, the SPREAD guidelines seem to fulfil the needs for shared guidelines, and to avoid the concerns related to pitfalls in the transparency of the process and in the reaching of a consensus.

Evidence-Based Medicine↗
PubMed2006

Clinical opportunities of an Italian Stroke Databank.

Traditionally, stroke epidemiology has been based on 3 different study models: (a) Studies based on retrospective analysis of discharge and administrative forms have been used by health authorities to calculate the stroke burden in a given territory. However, the information coming from this source is heavily biased due to the limitations of the scientific and practical value of these tools. (b) Hospital-based studies have made an important contribution to the knowledge of aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical scenarios and diagnostic work-up of stroke, but they have limitations as well, in that the whole impact of the disease in the community is underestimated, and the real clinical management of stroke patients in the territory is ignored, as these studies are performed in very well known centres with a high interest in stroke and good access to diagnostic facilities. (c) Finally, community-based studies are often incomplete in terms of diagnostic details, but can give real and clear information on the epidemiological impact and on the health system needs in stroke management.

Databases, Factual↗
PubMed2005

Duplex ultrasound investigation of the veins in chronic venous disease of the lower limbs--UIP consensus document. Part II. Anatomy.

OBJECTIVES: Duplex ultrasound investigation has become the reference standard in assessing the morphology and haemodynamics of the lower limb veins. The project described in this paper was an initiative of the Union Internationale de Phlébologie (UIP), The aim was to obtain a consensus of international experts on the methodology to be used for assessment of anatomy of superficial and perforating veins in the lower limb by ultrasound imaging. DESIGN: Consensus conference leading to a consensus document. METHODS: The authors performed a systematic review of the published literature on duplex anatomy of the superficial and perforating veins of the lower limbs; afterwards they invited a group of experts from a wide range of countries to participate in this project. Electronic submissions from the authors and the experts (text and images) were made available to all participants via the UIP website. The authors prepared a draft document for discussion at the UIP Chapter meeting held in San Diego, USA in August 2003. Following this meeting a revised manuscript was circulated to all participants and further comments were received by the authors and included in subsequent versions of the manuscript. Eventually, all participants agreed the final version of the paper. RESULTS: The experts have made detailed recommendations concerning the methods to be used for duplex ultrasound examination as well as the interpretation of images and measurements obtained. This document provides a detailed methodology for complete ultrasound assessment of the anatomy of the superficial and perforating veins in the lower limbs. CONCLUSIONS: The authors and a large group of experts have agreed a methodology for the investigation of the lower limbs venous system by duplex ultrasonography, with specific reference to the anatomy of the main superficial veins and perforators of the lower limbs in healthy and varicose subjects.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed2005

Ultrasound observation of the sciatic nerve and its branches at the popliteal fossa: always visible, never seen.

BACKGROUND: In studying patients with sciatic nerve (SN) varices the author found that the sciatic nerve and its major divisions, the tibial and peroneal nerves, could be readily identified on ultrasound imaging of the popliteal fossa. The sciatic nerve lies in the space between the popliteal vein and the small saphenous vein. OBJECTIVES: To confirm that the sciatic nerve can be identified on ultrasonography in patients with venous disease as well as in normal subjects. METHOD: Thirty unselected patients (60 limbs) attending for outpatient consultations were investigated by duplex ultrasound examination of the popliteal fossa. In 10 subjects varicose veins were present, in 20 no varices were visible on clinical examination. RESULTS: The sciatic nerve and its branches where visible and easily recognised in all cases. The sciatic nerve and the small saphenous vein lay in close proximity in cases with of small saphenous vein incompetence. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound identification of the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa allows assessment of its relationship with the adjacent veins. This technique may be useful in identifying the location of the nerve prior to surgical intervention for varices in the popliteal fossa as well as for endo-luminal occlusion procedures given the close proximity of the vein to the nerve. Sciatic nerve varices, tumours, extrinsic dislocation and nerve lesions may also be detected.

Female↗
PubMed2005

Prolonged fixed dose rate infusion of gemcitabine with autologous haemopoietic support in advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

This study aimed to define the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of fixed dose rate (FDR) of gemcitabine (2'-2'-difluorodeoxycitidine) infusion with circulating haemopoietic progenitor support and to evaluate the activity of the treatment. Secondary end points were pharmacokinetic of gemcitabine and difluorodeoxyuridina (dFdU) measured at first course and the activity andexpression profile of cytidine deaminase (CdA) on circulating mononuclear cells. Patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma received escalating dose of gemcitabine 10 mg m(-2) min(-1) every 2 weeks with circulating haemopoietic progenitor support. First dose level was 3000 mg m(-2) and the doses were increased by 500 mg m(-2) until MTD. In all, 23 patients were enrolled. Toxicities were mild or moderate; the only patient treated at 7000 mg m(-2) died because of toxicity; therefore; the MTD was established at 6500 mg m(-2). The overall response rate was 22.2%. The AUC of gemcitabine showed a dose-dependent increase, while the AUC of dFdU reached a plateau at 4500 mg m(-2). A significant relationship was found between the AUC of dFdU and CdA expression and activity (P<0.05). Moreover, progression rate and survival were significantly related to CdA expression and activity levels. The activity of high-dose gemcitabine is not superior to that reported with less intensive FDR schedules. The predictive role of CdA expression and activity on outcome deserves further investigation.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

Sciatic nerve varices.

OBJECTIVE(S): To describe patients presenting with sciatic nerve varices (SNV), presenting pitfalls in diagnosis and management. DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: Patients were investigated using duplex ultrasonography pre-operatively in three cases. Treatment was undertaken both by surgery and by foam sclerotherapy. RESULTS: Clinically, SNV appeared just below the popliteal skin crease, lateral to the small saphenous vein (SSV). In two cases SNV occurred alone, in two further cases SNV occurred in conjunction with varices from other sources. Symptoms of 'sciatic' pain were present in all. Foam sclerotherapy (1% Polidocanol) was undertaken in one case with a varix. Complete obliteration of the vein and resolution of all symptoms was achieved at the 1-month follow-up examination. Surgical management was used in the other cases. CONCLUSION: The sciatic nerve vein follows the fibular saphenous nerve (lying superficial to the fascia in the leg). This nerve arises from the common peroneal nerve (in the popliteal fossa), and is a major branch of the sciatic nerve. Varices of the associated vein appear to be the result of a dysplasia. This condition may be more common than is currently recognised.

Humans↗
PubMed2004

Increased dose-intensity of gemcitabine in advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a multicenter phase II study in elderly patients from the "polmone toscano group" (POLTO).

Gemcitabine is usually administered at a planned dose-intensity (DI) from 750 to 800 mg/m2/week. Preclinical data have suggested a possible dose-response relationship of gemcitabine. A multicenter phase II study was conducted to evaluate the activity in terms of no progression rate (complete responses+partial responses+stable diseases) of gemcitabine administered at an increased DI (1000 mg/m2/week) in elderly advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Secondary endpoints were to evaluate tolerability, progression free survival and overall survival. Elderly (age>or=70 years) chemo-naive advanced NSCLC patients, ECOG PS 0-2, were treated with intravenous gemcitabine 1500 mg/m2 intravenous (30 min infusion) on days 1 and 8 every 21 days for four courses. One hundred and twenty-two patients with a median age of 75 years (range 70-84) entered the study. The following grade 3 (NCI-CTC) haematological toxicities were reported (percent of patients): neutropenia 2.4%, thrombocytopenia 1.6%, anaemia 2.4%. No grades 3-4 non-haematological toxicities were observed. Among 111 evaluable patients 52 (46.8%) no progressions, 17 (15.3%) partial responses (WHO criteria), 35 (31.5%) stable diseases and 59 (53.2%) progressions were observed. Median time to progression was 3.2 months and median duration of survival was 5.4 months. The overall 1-year survival rate was 27%. Although increased dose-intensity of gemcitabine in elderly NSCLC patients is feasible without severe toxicities, this does not seem to be associated with an increased activity and efficacy in comparison to standard gemcitabine regimens with lower dose-intensities.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

Activity of first-line epirubicin and paclitaxel in metastatic breast cancer is independent of type of adjuvant therapy.

To evaluate the impact of prior adjuvant chemotherapy on response rate (RR), progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of metastatic breast cancer patients treated with epirubicin/paclitaxel (ET) regimens. In all, 291 patients enrolled in five studies in metastatic breast cancer were analysed: 101 (35%) were chemonaive, 109 (37%) had received adjuvant CMF and 81 (28%) adjuvant anthracyclines. Response rate to ET was 66%. Response rate was 63% for cyclophosphamide plus methotrexate plus 5-fluorouracil (CMF), 67% for prior anthracyclines and 68% in chemonaive patients (P=0.5). By multivariate analysis, adjusted odds ratio for response was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.37-1.79) for CMF and 0.92 (95% CI 0.43-2.01) for anthracyclines (P=0.86). The CR rates were 14% for both CMF and anthracyclines and 22% for chemonaive patients (P=0.2). By multivariate analysis, the relative odds of CR for CMF or anthracyclines were 0.40 and 0.39 as compared to chemonaive patients (P=0.036). The median PFS was 11.0 months for prior CMF, 10.2 months for anthracyclines and 12.5 months in chemonaive patients (P=0.33). In multivariate Cox's model, a nonsignificant increase in the risk of progression was seen in patients treated with adjuvant CMF or anthracyclines. The median OS was 23.8 months for CMF, 20.2 months for anthracyclines and 27.5 months in chemonaive patients (P=0.61). The same, nonsignificant, association was seen in multivariate analysis. The ET regimens provide satisfactory results in metastatic breast cancer, regardless of previous adjuvant chemotherapy.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Glycerol for acute stroke.

BACKGROUND: Brain oedema is a major cause of early death after stroke. A 10% solution of glycerol is a hyperosmolar agent that is claimed to reduce brain oedema. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether intravenous (I.V.) glycerol treatment in acute stroke, either ischaemic or haemorrhagic, influences death rates and functional outcome in the short or long term, and whether the treatment is safe. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Stroke Group trials register was searched (January 2003), and some trialists were personally contacted. SELECTION CRITERIA: All completed, randomised and quasi-randomised, controlled, published and unpublished comparisons, evaluating clinical outcome in which I.V. glycerol treatment was initiated within the first days after stroke onset. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria, assessed the trial quality and extracted data and this was checked with all co-reviewers. Death from all causes, functional outcome, and adverse effects were analysed. MAIN RESULTS: Eleven completed, randomised trials comparing I.V. glycerol and control were considered. Analysis of death during the scheduled treatment period for acute ischaemic and/or haemorrhagic stroke was possible in 10 trials where 482 glycerol treated patients were compared with 463 control patients. Glycerol was associated with a non-significant reduction in the odds of death within the scheduled treatment period (Odds Ratio (OR) 0.78, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 0.58 to 1.06). Among patients with definite or probable ischaemic stroke, glycerol was associated with a significant reduction in the odds of death during the scheduled treatment period (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.97). However, at the end of the scheduled follow up period, there was no significant difference in the odds of death (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.31). Functional outcome was reported in only two studies but there were non-significantly more patients who had a good outcome at the end of scheduled follow up (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.42). Haemolysis seems to be the only relevant adverse effect of glycerol treatment. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review suggests a favourable effect of glycerol treatment on short term survival in patients with probable or definite ischaemic stroke but the confidence intervals were wide and the magnitude of the treatment effect may be only minimal. Due to the relatively small number of patients, and that the trials were performed in the pre-CT era, the results must be interpreted cautiously. The lack of evidence of benefit in long term survival does not support the routine or selective use of glycerol treatment in patients with acute stroke.

Brain Edema↗
PubMed2004

Numerical model to predict the long-term mechanical stability of cementless orthopaedic implants.

The objective of this research was to develop a purely biomechanical model, intended to predict the long-term secondary stability of the implant starting from the biomechanical stability immediately after the operation. A continuous rule-based adaptation scheme was formulated as a dynamic system, and the work verified if such a model produced unique and clinically meaningful solutions. It also investigated whether this continuous model provided results comparable with those of a simpler, discrete-states model used in a previous study. The proposed model showed stable convergence behaviour with all investigated initial conditions, with oscillatory behaviour limited to the first steps of the simulation. The results obtained with the wide range of initial conditions support the hypothesis of the existence and uniqueness of the solution for all initial conditions. The differences between the continuous model and the simpler and more efficient finite-states model were found to be extremely modest (less than 4% over the predicted bonded area). Because of these minimal differences, the use of the much faster finite-states model is recommended to investigate asymptotic conditions, and the continuous model described should be used to investigate the evolution over time of the adaptive process.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2004

Stop-flow technique for loco-regional delivery of high dose chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced pelvic cancers.

AIM: To verify the rationale of a pelvic stop-flow technique for the perfusion of high-doses of mitomycin C and anthacyclines in patients with inoperable, recurrent pelvic cancer. METHODS: The stop-flow technique was realized by using percutaneous double-balloon arterial-venous catheters that selectively isolate the pelvic vascular section and a perfusion provided by an extracorporeal pump for 20 min. Ten patients (pts) with unresectable pelvic recurrence from colon-rectal cancer were treated with a combination of Mitomycin C (MMC, 20 mg/sqm) plus doxorubicin (DOXO, 75 mg/sqm; 8pts) or epirubicin (EPI, 75 mg/sqm; 2pts) infused into the isolated pelvic compartment. Blood samples were collected from the extracorporeal vascular flow and from peripheral plasma, and analysed for drug quantitation. RESULTS: During the procedure, there were no technical or hemodynamic complications, and no deaths occurred during surgery or in the postoperative period. MMC and DOXO peak levels measured in the extracorporeal system which irrotates the tumor area, were on average 21.6 (range: 4.3-44.3, MMC) and 17.2 (range: 1.8-48.4, DOXO) times higher than those observed in the peripheral blood. Similarly; the area under concentration (AUC) versus time curves measured in the pelvic compartment during stop-flow perfusion were 19.9 (range: 3.8-45.0, MMC) and 13.4 (range: 1.2-26.6, DOXO) times higher than the corresponding value in peripheral circulation. The drug percentage eliminated in the ultra filtrate was only 7.7% (MMC) and 0.9% (DOXO), and the plasmatic AUC(0-24) were similar to those observed with iv bolus of equivalent drug doses. Minimal systemic and local toxicities were observed. One complete pathological and 2 partial responses were observed; pain remission in 8/10 patients. median survival was 12 months (8-31). CONCLUSION: The endo-arterial administration into the local vasculature produces high pelvic-systemic concentration gradients during the stop-flow perfusion with limited local and systemic toxicity. The encouraging clinical results suggest further evaluation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

A novel ultrasound instrument for investigation of arterial mechanics.

The study of arterial mechanics concerns functional characteristics depending on wall elasticity and flow profile. Wall elasticity can be investigated through the estimation of parameters like the arterial distensibility, which is of high clinical interest because of its known correlation not only with the advanced atherosclerotic disease, but also with aging and major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The flow velocity profile is also clinically relevant, because it modulates endothelial function and can be responsible for the development and distribution of atherosclerotic plaques. A clinically relevant variable extracted from the blood velocity profile is the wall shear rate (WSR), which represents the spatial velocity gradient near the vessel wall. This paper describes an integrated ultrasound system, capable of detecting both the velocity profile and the wall movements in human arteries. It basically consists of a PC add-on board including a single high-speed digital signal processor. This is dedicated to the analysis of echo-signals backscattered from 128 range cells located along the axis of the interrogating ultrasound (US) beam. Echoes generated from the walls (characterized by high amplitudes and low Doppler frequencies) and from red blood cells (characterized by low amplitudes and relatively high Doppler frequencies) are independently processed in real-time. Wall velocity is detected through the autocorrelation algorithm, while blood velocity is investigated through a complete spectral analysis of all signals backscattered by erythrocytes and WSR is extracted from the estimated velocity profile. Preliminary applications of the new system, including the simultaneous analysis of blood flow and arterial wall movement in healthy volunteers and in a diseased patient, are discussed, and first results are presented.

Adult↗