Association between increased arterial stiffness and clinical outcomes in patients with early sepsis: a prospective observational cohort study.

Background Conduit arteries, especially the aorta, play a major role in ensuring efficient cardiac function and optimal microvascular flow due to their viscoelastic properties. Studies in animals and on isolated arteries show that acute systemic inflammation can cause aortic stiffening which affects hemodynamic efficiency. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, a measure of aortic stiffness, may be useful as a bedside investigational method in patients with early sepsis admitted to intensive care, as circulatory changes can lead to multiple organ failure and increased mortality. This study aims to investigate arterial stiffness in early sepsis and its association with clinical outcomes. Metho…

Retrospective Data Analysis of Anterior Cervical Discectomies and Fusion Without Plate and Screws

Abstract Surgical intervention in cervical disease can relieve neurological symptoms and improve life quality. This study aimed to analyse retrospective data of microscope-assisted anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgeries. The retrospective study was carried out at the ORTO clinic, Rīga, Latvia, from 2013 to 2017. Data from 198 patients were extracted retrospectively. Data on patient gender, age, diagnosis, extent of operation, type of cage and the overall height of the implants were used. Comparative analysis was carried out with the SPSS 22 software. P < 0.05 represented statistical significance. During the study period, 198 elective ACDF were carried out with increasin…

Association between elastic and muscular artery stiffness and organ dysfunction in patients with early severe sepsis

Sepsis is characterised by massive inflammatory response, which can affect vascular function. As part of vascular dysfunction large arteries can be affected. To what extent changes in large artery function contribute to organ dysfunction in sepsis is not well studied.

Biomechanical properties of oesophagus wall under loading

In this investigation, firstly, the biomechanical properties of different parts of oesophagus were determined. Oesophagus stress and strain are the greatest in the cervical part for all age groups. The human oesophagus deforms unevenly, depending on the direction of load in relation to the organ's axis, it exhibits anisotropical behaviour. With the age the values of mechanical parameters of the oesophagus wall reduce, in particular beginning from 45 years of age, but the modulus of elasticity increases. Biomechanical properties of the oesophagus depend on the architecture of its structure. By loading the organ in the circumferential direction, microfibrilae rupture and deformation of the mu…

Regional Lung Blood Perfusion Measured With Laser Doppler Method During Body Position Change, Valsalva Manoeuvre and Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Regional Lung Blood Perfusion Measured With Laser Doppler Method During Body Position Change, Valsalva Manoeuvre and Cardiopulmonary Bypass Methodological approaches to investigate local regulatory mechanisms of lung blood supply in humans are restricted. We tried a new approach using laser Doppler technique. During bronchoscopy, an angled laser Doppler flow probe was introduced through a biopsy channel and wedged into small bronchus. Laser light penetrated the wall of small bronchus and was reflected from blood cells running through neighbouring capillaries. Regional blood perfusion changes were recorded during body position change from vertical to supine and back to vertical, while perfor…

Splanchnic perfusion and regional pulmonary blood flow during cardiac bypass

Additional file 1: of Association between increased arterial stiffness and clinical outcomes in patients with early sepsis: a prospective observational cohort study

Table S1. Results of Cox regression analysis of the association between pulse wave velocity and length of survival. (DOCX 15 kb)

Aortic stiffness in patients with early sepsis

Acute and chronic systemic inflammatory conditions are associated with aortic stiffening. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), a marker of aortic stiffness, increases in patients with inflammatory diseases and independently correlates to levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). The effects of massive inflammatory response in early sepsis on mechanical properties of the aorta have not been investigated. The objective of the current study was to prospectively assess aortic stiffness in patients with early severe sepsis and septic shock and relate it to inflammatory and haemodynamic variables and outcome.

Additional file 1: of Association between increased arterial stiffness and clinical outcomes in patients with early sepsis: a prospective observational cohort study

Table S1. Results of Cox regression analysis of the association between pulse wave velocity and length of survival. (DOCX 15 kb)