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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Selection of the recipient vessel in the free flap around the knee: the superior medial genicular vessels and the descending genicular vessels.

In reconstructions around the knee, the use of a free flap is indicated in a limited number of cases, but it plays a critical role in cases of extensive defects or unavailability of local flaps. The selection of the recipient vessel is an essential and challenging step for a successful free tissue transfer. Popliteal vessels and other small vessels around the knee have been reported to be used as recipient vessels, but the choice of recipient vessels around the knee has not been established. In this study, after a thorough investigation of the vascular anatomy at the knee region, the superior medial genicular vessels and the descending genicular vessels were considered to be the proper recipient vessels, and a clinical application was tried. From July of 1997 to July of 1999, a total of seven cases of soft-tissue defects around the knee-four cases in the posterior region and three cases in the anterior region-were reconstructed with free flaps, using the superior medial genicular vessels and the descending genicular vessels, respectively. All flaps survived completely, with no flap loss. The advantages of these vessels are their proximity to the knee and their reliability, versatility, simplicity, and size match. The outstanding characteristic of this combination of vessels is their versatility, because the combination can cover all defects around the knee. The clinical application and the versatility of the combination of the superior medial genicular vessels and the descending genicular vessels as the recipient vessels was confirmed for the reconstruction of posterior and anterior knee defects.

Adolescent↗

Cyclic angiogenesis and blood vessel regression in the ovary: blood vessel regression during luteolysis involves endothelial cell detachment and vessel occlusion.

Angiogenesis occurs as a cyclically regulated process in the ovary and the uterus. After ovulation, there is massive sprouting of blood vessels in the growing corpus luteum (CL) during the first third of the ovarian cycle. During luteolysis and for several weeks thereafter, all newly formed vessels regress. Here we have systematically analyzed regression of blood vessels during luteolysis to identify mechanisms of blood vessel regression. Blood vessel counts are highest in the midcycle CL and drop rapidly after the onset of luteolysis. After a rapid phase of tissue dissociation, blood vessel regression proceeds slowly over several weeks in the residual CL. Endothelial cells in regressing vessels acquire a distinctly rounded and condensed phenotype. Ultrastructural analysis of blood vessel regression processes in the cyclic CL suggests two major mechanisms of blood vessel regression: a) detachment of rounded endothelial cells from their basement membrane, leaving areas devoid of covering endothelial cell monolayer, and b) contraction and occlusion of arterioles and small arteries with pronounced proliferation of smooth muscle cells. In situ detection of nucleosomal fragmentation products demonstrates numerous apoptotic luteal cells, but only a few apoptotic endothelial cells in the regressing CL. Induction of apoptosis in cultured endothelial cell monolayers by RGD peptides demonstrated that endothelial cells detach from their adhesive surface before fully becoming positive for nucleosomal fragmentation products. These data indicate that cyclic angiogenic processes in the ovary offer a suitable experimental system to analyze mechanisms of blood vessel growth and regression, and suggest that detachment of endothelial cells before apoptosis as well as contractive occlusion of blood vessels may be critical determinants of blood vessel regression.

Animals↗

Readdressing the issue of thermally significant blood vessels using a countercurrent vessel network.

A physiologically realistic arterio-venous countercurrent vessel network model consisting of ten branching vessel generations, where the diameter of each generation of vessels is smaller than the previous ones, has been created and used to determine the thermal significance of different vessel generations by investigating their ability to exchange thermal energy with the tissue. The temperature distribution in the 3D network (8178 vessels; diameters from 10 to 1000 microm) is obtained by solving the conduction equation in the tissue and the convective energy equation with a specified Nusselt number in the vessels. The sensitivity of the exchange of energy between the vessels and the tissue to changes in the network parameters is studied for two cases; a high temperature thermal therapy case when tissue is heated by a uniformly distributed source term and the network cools the tissue, and a hypothermia related case, when tissue is cooled from the surface and the blood heats the tissue. Results show that first, the relative roles of vessels of different diameters are strongly determined by the inlet temperatures to those vessels (e.g., as affected by changing mass flow rates), and the surrounding tissue temperature, but not by their diameter. Second, changes in the following do not significantly affect the heat transfer rates between tissue and vessels; (a) the ratio of arterial to venous vessel diameter, (b) the diameter reduction coefficient (the ratio of diameters of successive vessel generations), and (c) the Nusselt number. Third, both arteries and veins play significant roles in the exchange of energy between tissue and vessels, with arteries playing a more significant role. These results suggest that the determination of which diameter vessels are thermally important should be performed on a case-by-case, problem dependent basis. And, that in the development of site-specific vessel network models, reasonable predictions of the relative roles of different vessel diameters can be obtained by using any physiologically realistic values of Nusselt number and the diameter reduction coefficient.

Animals↗

Immediate and short-term effect on arterial flow of clamping or stripping one vessel of a two vessel limb in a dog model.

The effect on distal blood flow in a 2 vessel limb of clamping one of the vessels or resecting it over a length is not known. Commonly this situation occurs clinically, for example, following lacerations to the radial or ulnar artery or as a result of removing a radial or ulnar artery flap. In a dog model established to mimic these clinical circumstances, a 2 vessel limb was created in which one vessel carried two-thirds of the total flow and the other one-third. Electromagnetic flow recordings were taken to measure the changes in flow in one vessel when the other was clamped or resected. Contrary to expectation, when one vessel was occluded the flow in the opposite vessel both immediately and for the following 30 minutes increased but remained well below the combined flow of 2 unclamped vessels. No increased flow was recorded in the dominant vessel when the smaller vessel was clamped, while an approximately 25% increase in flow was recorded in the smaller vessel when the larger one was clamped. This represents a reduction in total distal blood flow of one-half of the preclamping levels. Clamping of the vessel or its resection over a length resulted in the same degree of alteration in flow in the opposite vessel. The sacrifice of a dominant vessel in a 2 vessel limb whether by simple ligation or by radical stripping as for free tissue transfer significantly decreases distal flow in that limb at least in the immediate and short term.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Thoracodorsal vessels as recipient vessels for the free TRAM flap in delayed breast reconstruction.

The internal mammary vessels have been recommended as the first choice recipient vessels for delayed breast reconstruction with the free TRAM flap. This approach has avoided surgery in the previously operated axilla, has required a shorter pedicle length, and has allowed for more medial placement of the TRAM tissue. Frequency of nonusable axillary vessels has been reported at 11 percent, with a 6 percent incidence of flap loss in the delayed reconstructive setting. We reviewed our experience with the thoracodorsal vessels as recipient vessels in delayed free TRAM breast reconstruction to assess more accurately the adequacy of these potential recipient vessels. All patients undergoing delayed TRAM reconstruction were reviewed. Forty-seven of 300 consecutive TRAM procedures were for planned delayed free reconstruction. In seven of the patients (15 percent), the thoracodorsal vessels were found to be inadequate for free reconstruction. A supercharged pedicled TRAM was used for reconstruction in each of these seven patients. Average operating room time was 7 hours. Mean follow-up time was 38 months. Nineteen percent of all patients developed at least one complication. Twelve percent of free TRAM patients developed a complication, whereas 57 percent of supercharged patients developed a postoperative complication. The difference in complication rates was statistically significant. The thoracodorsal vessels have provided an adequate recipient vessel in 85 percent of delayed free TRAM reconstructions, comparable to previous reports. Pedicling and supercharging the flap, in those situations in which the thoracodorsal vessels were inadequate, were associated with an increased incidence of postoperative complications. This suggests that in the delayed reconstructive setting, higher-risk patients benefit from free reconstruction over supercharged reconstructions. A second recipient vessel should be used when the thoracodorsal vessels are inadequate for planned free TRAM reconstruction. In these circumstances, we would recommend the use of the internal mammary vessels followed by the thoracoacromial vessels as reliable alternative recipient sites for delayed free TRAM reconstruction.

Adult↗

Safety of single versus multi-vessel angioplasty for patients with acute myocardial infarction and multi-vessel coronary artery disease: report from the New York State Angioplasty Registry.

BACKGROUND: The conventional strategy for primary angioplasty during acute myocardial infarction is angioplasty of the infarct-related vessel, even in patients with multi-vessel disease. Patients, however, often have significant lesions in multiple coronary arteries and a strategy for multi-vessel angioplasty during acute myocardial infarction has not been explored. The purpose of this study was to examine whether multi-vessel angioplasty is as safe as infarct-related vessel angioplasty in patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease during acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: Using the 2000-2001 New York State Angioplasty Registry database, we compared the in-hospital clinical outcomes of patients with multi-vessel disease (>70% stenosis in at least two major coronary arteries), who underwent either multi-vessel angioplasty (n=632) or infarct-related vessel angioplasty (n=1350) within 24 h of acute myocardial infarction. Patients with previous myocardial infarction, angioplasty, bypass surgery, or cardiogenic shock were excluded. RESULTS: Patients in the multi-vessel angioplasty group were less likely to be female, to have peripheral vascular disease or diabetes. They had more complex lesions and were more likely to receive stents. In-hospital mortality was three-fold lower (0.8 versus 2.3%, P=0.018) in the multi-vessel angioplasty group. No differences were observed in other ischemic complications, renal failure, or length of stay. After multivariate analysis, multi-vessel angioplasty remained a significant predictor of lower in-hospital death (odds ratio=0.27, 95% confidence interval=0.08-0.90, P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the added complexity of multi-vessel angioplasty, patients in this group had significantly lower in-hospital mortality. Therefore, a strategy of multi-vessel angioplasty during acute myocardial infarction may be safe compared with infarct-related angioplasty in selected patients.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Selective immunohistochemical staining of blood and lymphatic vessels reveals independent prognostic influence of blood and lymphatic vessel invasion in early-stage cervical cancer.

Lymphovascular space invasion was shown to play a key role in the progression of cervical cancer. Because of the absence of a specific marker for lymphatic vessels, earlier studies could not reliably distinguish between blood and lymphatic vessel invasion. By immunostaining for podoplanin, a novel marker for lymphatic endothelium, and for factor VIII-related antigen, we determined lymphatic and blood vessel invasion in tissue samples of 98 patients with cervical cancer pT1b treated by radical hysterectomy. Eleven (11.2%) specimens showed invasion of blood vessels, 20 (20.4%) showed invasion of lymphatic vessels, and 15 (15.3%) showed invasion of blood and lymphatic vessels. There was a strong association of lymphatic vessel invasion and lymph node involvement (P < 0.001). In univariate analysis, both blood and lymphatic vessel invasion failed to reach a statistically significant influence on overall survival, but a significant influence on disease-free survival was found (P = 0.0002 and P < 0.0001, respectively). In multivariate analysis of disease-free survival, only blood vessel invasion remained statistically significant (P = 0.0457). Lymphatic vessel invasion reached significance when lymph node status was excluded from the model (P = 0.0025). Both lymphatic vessel and blood vessel invasion occur frequently in early-stage cervical cancer. Determination of the vessel status may be of clinical importance because it signifies the risk of recurrent disease.

Adult↗

Early retinal vessel development and iris vessel dilatation as factors in retinopathy of prematurity. Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity (CRYO-ROP) Cooperative Group.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the extent of retinal vessel development present on early screening examinations for retinopathy of prematurity has prognostic value? DESIGN: The prospectively collected data from the Multicenter Trial of Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity were used to compare the development of acute retinopathy of prematurity and long-term structural and visual outcomes for eyes with differing extents of retinal vessel development. PATIENT: Study patients had eyes with the following vessel development. In zone I eyes, vessels extended from the disc less than twice the distance from the disc to the macula. In zone II eyes, vessels extended beyond zone I but not to the nasal ora serrata. Transitional eyes had vessels partly in zone I and partly in zone II. RESULTS: The chance of developing threshold retinopathy of prematurity was inversely related to the early degree of vessel development: 54% for zone I eyes, 25% for transitional eyes, and 8% for zone II eyes. The presence of prominent iris vessels at 34 to 35 weeks of postmenstrual age was associated with increased risk for all three groups; zone I eyes almost always needed treatment (94%). The chance of having an unfavorable anatomic alteration of the posterior fundus, or poor vision at the ages of 1 year and 3 1/2 years, was also inversely related to the degree of early vessel development. Vessel development was an independently important factor even when birth weight, gestational age, and race were considered. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of early retinal vessel development is a significant predictor of outcome from retinopathy of prematurity. Iris vessel dilatation is an important indication for greater vigilance in following these infants.

Cryosurgery↗

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty versus medical therapy for stable angina pectoris: outcomes for patients with double-vessel versus single-vessel coronary artery disease in a Veterans Affairs Cooperative randomized trial. Veterans Affairs ACME InvestigatorS.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess outcomes of men with double-vessel coronary artery disease randomly assigned to treatment by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or medical therapy, compared with previously reported outcomes for men with single-vessel disease. BACKGROUND: We previously reported that PTCA provides better symptom relief and treadmill performance than medical therapy for men with stable angina pectoris due to single-vessel disease. Whether this advantage applies to patients with double-vessel disease is unknown. METHODS: Male patients (n = 328) with stable angina pectoris and ischemia on treadmill testing were randomly assigned to PTCA or medical therapy; 101 patients had double-vessel disease, and 227 had single-vessel disease. Symptoms, treadmill performance, quality of life score, coronary stenosis and myocardial perfusion were compared at baseline and at 6 months. Patients were followed up for up to 6 years and underwent additional treadmill testing 2 to 3 years after randomization. RESULTS: PTCA-treated and medically treated patients with double-vessel disease experienced comparable improvement in exercise duration (+1.2 vs. +1.3 min, respectively, p = 0.89), freedom from angina (53% and 36%, respectively, p = 0.09) and improvement of overall quality of life score (+1.3 vs. +4.4, respectively, p = 0.32) at 6 months compared with baseline. This contrasts with greater advantages favoring PTCA by these criteria in patients with single-vessel disease (p = 0.0001 to 0.02). Trends present at 6 months persisted at late follow-up. Patients undergoing double-vessel dilation had less complete initial revascularization (45% vs. 83%) and greater average stenosis of worst lesions at 6 months (74% vs. 56%). Likewise, patients with double-vessel disease showed less improved myocardial perfusion imaging (59% vs. 75%). CONCLUSIONS: PTCA is beneficial in male patients with double-vessel disease; however, we cannot demonstrate the same advantage over medical therapy seen in similar patients with single-vessel disease. Less complete revascularization and greater restenosis for patients having multiple dilations would account for these findings. Alternatively, a type 2 error might be operative. Technical advances since completion of this trial might improve these outcomes. These findings warrant further investigation in a larger trial.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Muscle-splitting approach to superior and inferior gluteal vessels: versatile source of recipient vessels for free-tissue transfer to sacral, gluteal, and ischial regions.

The superior gluteal vessel has been reported as a recipient in free-tissue transfer for the coverage of complex soft-tissue defects in the lumbosacral region, where a suitable recipient vessel is difficult to find. The characteristics of proximity, vessel caliber, and constancy make the superior gluteal vessel preferable to previously reported recipient vessels. However, there are technical difficulties in microsurgery (e.g., short pedicle length and deep location) and muscle injury (transection of the muscle) associated with use of the superior gluteal vessel. The purpose of this article is to present a modification of an approach to the gluteal vessel to alleviate technical difficulties and minimize muscle injury. From August of 1997 to January of 1999, six patients received microvascular transfer of the latissimus dorsi muscle or myocutaneous flap to the sacral (4) and ischial (2) regions. The causes of defects were tumor (1), trauma (1), and pressure sores (4). A muscle-splitting approach was used on the superior gluteal vessel and was later applied to the inferior gluteal vessel. The gluteus maximus muscle was split as needed in the direction of its fibers, and the perforators were dissected down to the superior or inferior gluteal artery and vein deep into the muscle. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 22 months, and all of the flaps survived with complete recovery of the lesion. The major drawbacks of using the superior and inferior gluteal vessels can be overcome with the muscle-splitting approach, which provides increased accessibility and additional length to the vascular pedicle while causing minimal injury to the muscle itself. It also proves to be an easy, safe, and reliable method of dissection. When free-tissue transfer to sacral, gluteal, and ischial regions is indicated, the muscle-splitting approach to the superior and inferior gluteal vessels is a recommended option in the selection of a recipient vessel.

Adult↗

The thoracoacromial vessels as recipient vessels in microsurgery and supermicrosurgery: an anatomical and sonographic study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence and the precise course of the pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial vessels on the underside of the pectoralis major muscle by anatomical dissection and by color Doppler ultrasound. A further goal was to determine whether these vessels were suitable as recipient vessels in microsurgery and supermicrosurgery for breast reconstruction. In 18 cadavers, the pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial vessels was followed caudally until the diameter of the artery diminished to 1 mm. The same examination was carried out in 40 young female volunteers by tracing the vessel course with color Doppler ultrasound. The 1-mm cutoff point of the artery was measured with reference to the manubrium, the midsternal line, the clavicle, and the upper border of the closest rib. In addition, in the cadavers, the 2-mm cutoff point was determined. At both cutoff points, the diameter of the accompanying vein was measured. The pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial vessels with the artery and concomitant veins could be detected on all 100 undersides of the pectoralis major muscle, anatomically and sonographically. In their course from the acromial region downward, the arteries reached a diameter of 1 mm at an average of 9.9 cm from the manubrium, horizontally 9.4 cm from the midsternal line, and vertically 4.0 cm from the lower border of the clavicle. The 1-mm reference point was situated on the upper border of the third rib in 85 percent of cases. The average distance between the 1-mm and the 2-mm cutoff points was 3.5 cm. At the 1-mm cutoff point, the diameter of the vein was 0.9 mm, and at the 2-mm cutoff point, it was 1.7 mm. Because of their central position at the anterior hemithorax, these vessels are easily accessible from mastectomy incisions, even in skin-sparing mastectomies; the donor-site morbidity is negligible; and as the diameters of the vessels gradually decrease along their caudal course, the recipient site can be chosen precisely according to the length and the diameter of the donor vessels and major mismatch can be avoided. Thus, the pectoral branches of the thoracoacromial vessels are well suited as recipient vessels for (super)microsurgery and are a very promising addendum to the thoracodorsal and internal mammary vessels.

Adult↗

Angiographic and clinical outcome following coronary stenting of small vessels: a comparison with coronary stenting of large vessels.

OBJECTIVES: Stent implantation reduces restenosis in vessels > or =3 mm compared with balloon angioplasty, but few data are available for stents implanted in vessels <3 mm. The aim of this study was to evaluate immediate and follow-up patient outcomes after stent implantation in vessels <3 mm compared to stent implantation in vessels > or =3 mm. METHODS: Between March 1993 and May 1996, a total of 1,298 consecutive patients (1,673 lesions) underwent coronary stenting. The study population was divided into two groups based on angiographic vessel diameter. In case of multivessel stenting, patients were randomly assigned only one lesion. Group I included 696 patients (696 lesions) in whom stents were implanted in vessels > or =3 mm, and group II included 602 patients (602 lesions) in whom stents were implanted in vessels <3 mm. RESULTS: There was no difference in procedural success (95.4% in group I and 95.9% in group II), or subsequent subacute stent thrombosis (1.5% in group I and 1.4% in group II, p=NS). The postprocedure residual diameter stenosis was 3.31+/-12.4% in group I and -2.45+/-16.2% in group II. Angiographic follow-up was performed in 75% of patients, restenosis occurred in 19.9% of patients in group I and 32.6% in group II (p <0.0001). Absolute lumen gain was significantly higher in group I compared to group II, but absolute late lumen loss was similar in the two groups (1.05+/-0.91 mm in group I vs. 1.11+/-0.85 mm in group II, p=NS). Subsequently, the loss index was more favorable in group I (0.45 vs. 0.56; p=0.0006). Independent predictors of freedom from restenosis by multivariate logistic regression in the total population were: larger baseline reference diameter (odds ratio 2.032 p=0.006), larger postprocedure minimal stent cross-sectional area (odds ratio 1.190, p=0.0001) and shorter lesions (odds ratio 1.037, p=0.01). At long-term clinical follow-up, patients with small vessels had a lower rate of event-free survival (63% vs. 71.3%, p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Coronary stenting can be performed in small vessels with a high success rate and low incidence of stent thrombosis. However, the long-term angiographic and clinical outcome of patients undergoing stent implantation in small vessels is less favorable than that of patients with large vessels.

Aged↗

Prognostic significance of parenchymal lymphatic vessel and blood vessel invasion in carcinoma of the lung.

In a series of 685 men who had undergone a microscopically curative resection of a carcinoma of the lung admitted to a prospective randomized adjuvant chemotherapy trial, a review of the data relative to the prognostic implication of either parenchymal lymphatic vessel or blood vessel invasion as determined by routine histologic examination was carried out. In the patients without parenchymal lymphatic vessel invasion and without lymph node metastasis, the three year survival rate was 61.0 per cent. In those without lymphatic vessel invasion but with lymph node metastasis, the three year survival rate was 34.5 per cent. In the patients with lymphatic vessel invasion and no lymph node metastasis, the three year survival rate was 41.7 per cent and when lymph node metastasis was present, it was 33.8 per cent. In the patients without blood vessel invasion and with neither lymph node metastasis nor lymphatic vessel invasion, the survival rate was 61.9 per cent at three years. When either or one, or both, of the latter were present, the survival rate was 35.6 per cent. In the patients with blood vessel invasion, the three year survival rate in those without lymph node invasion or lymphatic vessel invasion was 58.0 per cent, and in those with either one or both, the survival rate was 34.9 per cent. It is concluded that parenchymal lymphatic vessel invasion in itself is an indication of a poor prognosis. However, blood vessel invasion when identified by routine histologic examination was found to provide little, if any, additional predictive information.

Blood Vessels↗

A VEGF165-induced phenotypic switch from increased vessel density to increased vessel diameter and increased endothelial NOS activity.

Although vascular endothelial growth factor-165 (VEGF(165)) regulates numerous angiogenic cellular activities, its complex effects on vascular morphology are not highly quantified. By fractal-based, multiparametric branching analysis of 2D vascular pattern in the quail chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), we report that vessel density increased maximally at lower VEGF concentrations, but that vessel diameter and activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) increased maximally at higher VEGF concentrations. Following exogenous application of human VEGF(165) to the CAM at embryonic day 7, vessel density and diameter were measured after 24 h at arterial end points by the fractal dimension (D(f)) and generational branching parameters for vessel area density (A(v)), vessel length density (L(v)) and vessel diameter (D(v)) using the computer code VESGEN. The VEGF-dependent phenotypic switch from normal vessels displaying increased vessel density to abnormal, dilated vessels typical of tumor vasculature and other pathologies resulted from an approximate threefold increase in VEGF concentration (1.25 to 5 microg/CAM) and correlated positively with increased eNOS activity. Relative to control specimens, eNOS activity increased maximally to 60% following VEGF treatment at 5 microg/CAM, compared to 10% at 1.25 microg/CAM, and was accompanied by no significant change in activity of inducible NOS. In summary, VEGF(165) induced a phenotypic switch from increased vessel density associated with low VEGF concentration, to increased vessel diameter and increased eNOS activity at high VEGF concentration.

Animals↗

How well does radionuclide dipyridamole stress testing detect three-vessel coronary artery disease and ischemia in the region supplied by the most stenotic vessel?

PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate the accuracy of radionuclide dipyridamole stress imaging to detect multivessel disease and ischemia in segments of myocardium supplied by the most stenotic vessel. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with known triple-vessel disease of at least 50% stenosis in each of the three major epicardial coronary arteries who had exercise (n=44) or dipyridamole (n=86) stress testing, or both, within 6 months of coronary angiography. RESULTS: The accuracy of dipyridamole stress testing to detect three-vessel disease was 52% and ischemia was detected in the region supplied by the most stenotic vessel in 67% of patients. The sensitivity and specificity rates of radionuclide imaging to detect ischemia in the region supplied by the vessel of tightest stenosis were 69% and 74% for the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), 61% and 78% for the right coronary artery (RCA), and 61% and 57% for the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX). Based on these values, in 39% of patients in whom the RCA or LCX was the most stenotic vessel and in 31% of patients in whom the LAD was the most stenotic vessel, perfusion defects were not present on their nuclear scans. CONCLUSIONS: These results have important implications for interventional cardiologists who perform angioplasty on the most stenotic vessel, because the regions supplied by these vessels may not be the most ischemic. Furthermore, dipyridamole stress imaging may significantly underestimate the number of patients with substantial three-vessel coronary artery disease when qualitative imaging is done.

Aged↗

Lymph and blood vessel architecture in benign and malignant prostatic tissue: lack of lymphangiogenesis in prostate carcinoma assessed with novel lymphatic marker lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor (LYVE-1).

PURPOSE: Due to the lack of specific markers the analysis of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) has been almost impossible in the past. We report the novel specific marker for lymphatic endothelium, lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor (LYVE-1), in prostatic, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) tissue. Normal blood vessels were additionally quantified in BPH and PCa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LYVE-1 lymphatics (LVD) and CD34 blood vessels were assessed in 20 paraffin sections of BPH and 50 of PCa tissue by immunohistochemistry in a standardized experimental setting. The regions of PCa, periphery of the tumor and nontumorous regions of the PCa specimens, and BPH tissue were evaluated. Double staining was done (LYVE-1/CD34). Acquired data were interrelated and compared to the pathological parameters of the specimens. RESULTS: Double staining revealed numerous CD34 blood vessels but only a few LYVE-1 lymphatic vessels in BPH and PCa sections. Mean LVD +/- SD was distinctly lower (0.55 +/- 0.93) in PCa tissue than in tumor periphery (2.45 +/- 1.93) and nontumorous (3.16 +/- 2.23) tissue (p <0.0001). Maximum LVD was observed in BPH (7.17 +/- 3.61), which differed markedly from nontumorous areas of PCa specimens (p <0.001). In contrast to LVD, significantly more blood vessels were found in PCa (116.00 +/- 39.25) than in BPH (60.30 +/- 19.34) tissue (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: LYVE-1 is a specific lymphatic endothelial marker in benign and malignant prostate tissues. It is a useful new marker for the investigation of lymphatics. To our knowledge we report the immunohistochemical visualization and quantification of lymphatic vessels in prostatic tissue for the first time. In contrast to the stimulated angiogenesis of blood vessels in PCa, the destruction of lymphatic vessels occurs rather than lymphangiogenesis.

Antigens, CD34↗

[Long-term prognosis in patients with single-vessel or double-vessel coronary artery disease: does successful revascularization achieved by coronary angioplasty improve late outcome?].

OBJECTIVES: It is not clear whether revascularization by coronary angioplasty improves long-term prognosis in patients with stable angina, single- or double-vessel coronary artery disease. This study investigated the extent of late revascularization achieved by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty(PTCA) and evaluated the long-term effect of revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS: This study reviewed 178 patients with single-vessel or double-vessel disease and significant coronary diameter stenosis(American Heart Association classification, 75% or more stenosis), but excluded 35 patients with failed revascularization of the target vessels because of initial failed angioplasty(n = 14) or restenosis(n = 21). The remaining 143 patients were available for assessment. Revascularization was successful at follow-up angiography after the last angioplasty in 105 patients(Group A). The remaining 38 patients received conservative medical therapy(Group B). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to examine absolute survival difference. RESULTS: One hundred forty-three patients(mean age 64 +/- 9 years) were followed-up for 3.8 +/- 1 years. The patients were 70.6% male, 59.4% had myocardial infarction and 76.9% had single-vessel disease. Anatomical complete revascularization in the chronic phase was accomplished in 80 patients with single-vessel disease(97.6%) and 11 patients with double-vessel disease(47.8%). The event-free survival rate was not significantly different between Group A and Group B(88.6% vs 84.2%, p = NS). Cardiac survival rate decreased significantly in Group B compared to Group A(89.5% vs 99.0%, p < 0.01). This difference in survival rate was due to sudden cardiac death in Group B(7.9% vs 0%, p < 0.05). Non-fatal myocardial infarctions occurred in seven patients(6.7%) with revascularization and in one patient(2.6%) with conservative medical therapy, but with no significant difference. Late successful revascularization improved cardiac survival rate in patients with proximal left anterior descending coronary artery involvement or single-vessel disease. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac events decreased and long-term prognosis appeared to be a good possibility in patients with single- or double-vessel coronary artery disease if late successful revascularization of target vessel was accomplished.

Aged↗

[Clinical significance of lymph vessel density marked by lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronic acid receptor-1 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between density, location, proliferation of lymph vessels and clinicopathological features of laryngeal squamous carcinoma. METHOD: Tumor lymph vessels were quantitated and located in archival specimens of laryngeal carcinoma by LSAB immunostaining for the recently described lymphatic endothelial marker LYVE-1. The Ki67 proliferation marker was used to evaluate the proliferating conditions of LYVE-1(+) vessels with EnVision immunohistochemical methods. RESULT: (1) The density of intratumoral LYVE-1(+) vessels was higher in the cases of neck lymph nodal metastasis group than that of no neck lymph nodal metastasis group (P = 0.000). There was a significant difference of the density of intratumoral LYVE-1(+) vessels in the cases of T1, T2 and T(3-4) group. There was no significant difference of the density of intratumoral LYVE-1(+) vessels between supraglottic group and glottic group, squamous cell histological types I group and types II group (P = 0.125, 0.146, respectively). (2) The density of peritumoral LYVE-1(+) vessels was higher in the cases of neck lymph nodal metastasis group than that of no neck lymph nodal metastasis group. However,there was no statistic significance (P = 0.253). (3) Ki67(+) immunostaining occurs in some of the intratumoral LYVE-1(+) vessels, interestingly, there was no this phenomenon in the peritumoral LYVE-1(+) vessels. CONCLUSION: Intratumoral lymph vessel density marked by LYVE-1 in laryngeal carcinoma was significantly correlated with tumor infiltration and metastasis. Our results provide potent evidence that proliferating lymphatics exists in intratumoral areas of laryngeal carcinoma mainly which maybe contribute to lymph node metastasis in some cases.

Adult↗