Femoral and iliac vein stenoses after prolonged femoral vein catheter insertion.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Catheterization of the femoral vein is a safe and recommended method of temporary access for haemodialysis. In some patients, however, because of the lack of other possibilities, it is necessary to maintain long-term femoral cannulation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of stenosis after prolonged femoral cannulation. METHODS: The 24 patients incorporated in the study were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 10 end-stage kidney failure patients (four females and six males, aged 32-75 years, average 55.6+/-13.6 years) in whom femoral catheters were maintained for less than 2 weeks (5-14 days, average 9.3+/-3.6 days). Group 2 included 14 chronic haemodialysis patients (six females and eight males aged 23-65 years, average 49.5+/-13.27 years). The time of catheter maintenance ranged from 2 to 16 weeks (average 6.4+/-4.2 weeks). Femoral and iliac vein status was evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: A feature of venous stenosis of both the femoral and iliac veins was disclosed in four patients in whom femoral cannulation lasted more than 4 weeks. There were no stenoses in group 1. CONCLUSION: Long-term femoral cannulation for more than 4 weeks may be associated with a significant risk of stenosis in the femoral and/or external iliac veins.     

Lumbar spinal stenosis operative treatment--early results]

Early results (12 weeks after surgery) of the lumbar spinal stenosis operative treatment were assessed in the group of 36 patients (aged 40-65 years). In 72% of patients posterior fusion was applied. In the results evaluation lumbar pain, low extremities pain, neurogenic claudicat ion, sensory disturbances and functional status were taken in account. A significant decrease in low extremities and lumbar pain was observed. Some sensory disturbances after operative treatment did not affect general high patients assessment of the performed surgical procedures (positive 80.5% cases).     

Blood vessels in epiphyseal cartilage of human fetal femoral bone: a scanning electron microscopic study of corrosion casts

Formation of intrachondral vessels (cartilage canals) in the proximal femoral epiphysis was studied in 13- to 22-week-old human fetuses using a corrosion casting technique and scanning electron microscopy. Several successive morphological stages of angiogenesis occurring inside the hyaline cartilage were distinguished. The process of cartilage vascularization starts with the formation of hairpin loops sent off from the perichondrial vascular network into the adjacent cartilage. A capillary glomerulus is then formed at the leading end, and the entire vascular unit grows in length, assuming a mushroom-like shape. Its further elongation is accompanied by a backward expansion of the capillary network which surrounds a pair of main vessels (arteriole and venule) like a manchette. The subsequent branching of such primary vascular units proceeds according to the same morphological patterns. The resulting tree-like vascular formations become interconnected via their lateral branches. This study clearly supports the invasion theory of cartilage canal formation.     

Pollen extracts reduce the hepatotoxicity of paracetamol in mice

Cernitins are preparations obtained from plant pollen which contain numerous compounds of potential biological significance. This work deals with the influence of cernitins upon acute paracetamol toxicity in mice. The survival rate and indices of hepatic injury: aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, bilirubin level in serum, glutathione and cytochrome P-450 content in liver, liver weight, histopathologic picture of the liver and presence of glycogen and lipids in stained liver sections, under different experimental protocols, were determined. It was found that cernitins are able to increase the survival rate of mice and reduce liver injury in acute paracetamol poisoning. Cernitins are more effective when administered after, rather than before, a dose of paracetamol. The possible mechanism through which cernitins may act is discussed.     

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its application in transfusion medicine and hematology]

The new technique, polymerase chain reaction, used for in vitro DNA fragments amplification is described. The conditions of the reaction and methods of data analysis are discussed as well as the usefulness of this technique in research and medical practice.