Search results for "hole"

Therapeutic plasma exchange: Review of current indications

2019

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is the extracorporeal technique performed in an apheresis device were patient's plasma is separated from whole blood and removed, while the cellular blood components are returned to the patient together with a replacement fluid. By the extracorporeal removal of pathological substances and the replacement of deficient plasma components, it constitutes an important tool for the management of several disorders and it is a well-known and established treatment for numerous diseases. Additionally, overall available data confirm the safety and efficacy of TPE. Nevertheless, the quality of the evidence supporting the utility and efficacy of the procedure is diverse…

Substantial Reduction of Platelet Adhesion by Heparin-Coated Stents

2001

Although optimized antiplatelet medication has improved the clinical outcome after coronary stenting, vessel occlusion and restenosis still remain a relevant clinical problem. Platelets play a key role in this process. Therefore, the authors compared the platelet adhesion on different stent surface modifications (electropolished without coating or coated with carbon, carbon and additional heparin, silicon carbide, or heparin alone) to investigate their role in reducing platelet adhesion. All stents and additional stainless steel plates were incubated in heparinized whole blood with radiolabeled platelets. After washing the stents and plates four times, radioactivity caused by the adhesion o…

Hypercholesterolemia and haemostatic function changes

1990

Patients with hypercholesterolemia have elevated levels of LDL and reduced plasma concentration of HDL.

Comparison of platelet, leukocyte, and growth factor levels in point-of-care platelet-enriched plasma, prepared using a modified Curasan kit, with pr…

2003

Abstract The potential use of autologous thrombocytic growth factors to accelerate bone regeneration requires improved methods of isolating platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In addition to discontinuous cell separation, a second method by which PRP is produced at the point-of-care has now become available. In this study, growth factor levels in PRP from these two sources were compared. Whole blood was drawn from 115 healthy donors (73 males, 42 females) aged 21 - 62 years (mean 36, SD 10). The PRP was separated by the blood bank (BB) using the discontinuous cell separation method or at the 'point-of-care' by the so-called 'buffy coat' method (analogous to the Curasan PRP Kit). Growth factor conte…

Haemorheological components in the pre-geriatric and geriatric age range in a randomly selected Western Sicily population sample (Casteldaccia study)

1993

{Received 24.8.1992; accepted 7.12.1992} On a randomly selected western Sicily population sample (Casteldac­ cia Study: 600 subjects; 300 males and 300 females) of an age range from 40 to 79 years, were determined: Haematocrit (Htc) , blood vi­ scosity, plasma viscosity, filterability of whole blood and fibrinogen. Par­ ticipation was 97%, being 582 subjects (M = 287, F = 295). All the parameters measured showed a progressive increase with age and si­ gnificant differences were found between male and female subjects: Htc and blood viscosity were higher in male subjects (p < 0.01), while plasma viscosity, whole blood filterability and fibrinogen were higher in female subjects (p < 0.05). In …

Evaluation of C-Reactive Protein in Primary and Secondary Prevention

2007

Inflammation is pivotal in atherosclerosis, and C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker that predicts cardiovascular events. Several population-based studies have demonstrated that baseline CRP levels predict future cardiovascular events. CRP testing may thus have a major adjunctive role in the global assessment of cardiovascular risk. Recently, the National Cholesterol Education Program, through the Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines, identified CRP and another marker of inflammation, the fibrinogen, as “emerging risk factors,” suggesting that their measurement may improve the estimations of absolute risk obtained using the traditional cardiovascular risk factors. In terms of…

Cross-Sectional Associations between HDL Structure or Function, Cell Membrane Fatty Acid Composition, and Inflammation in Elderly Adults.

2022

Background Cell membrane fatty acid composition has been related to inflammation and cardiovascular risk. Dysregulation of HDL functionis also considered a cardiovascular risk factor. Objective We aimed to investigate whether the content of cell membrane fatty acids and HDL functionality are linked to each other as well as to inflammation. Methods This cross-sectional analysis involved 259 participants (67.9 y) with overweight/obesity (body mass index 29.5 kg/m2) from a coronary heart disease case-control study nested within the PREDIMED trial for which HDL functional parameters (Apolipoproteins (Apo) A-1, A-IV and C-III, cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), HDL oxidative inflammatory index (…

Primary Biliary Cholangitis management: controversies, perspectives, and daily practice implications from an expert panel

2020

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a rare progressive immune-mediated liver disease that, if not adequately treated, may culminate in end-stage disease and need for transplantation. According to current guidelines, PBC is diagnosed in the presence of antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) or specific antinuclear antibodies, and of a cholestatic biochemical profile, while biopsy is recommended only in selected cases. All patients receive ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in first line; the only registered second-line therapy is obeticholic acid (OCA) for UDCA-inadequate responders. Despite the recent advances in understanding PBC pathogenesis and developing new treatments, many grey areas remain. Si…

An unusual case of postcholecystectomy syndrome.

2019

Translational Research for Improving the Care of Familial Hypercholesterolemia: The “Ten Countries Study” and Beyond

2016

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most common and serious form of inherited hyperlipidaemia. Dominantly inherited with high penetrance, untreated FH leads to premature death from coronary artery disease due to accelerated atherosclerosis from birth. Despite its importance, there is still a major shortfall in awareness, detection and treatment of FH worldwide. International models of care for FH have recently been published, but their effective implementation requires the garnering of more knowledge about the condition. The "Ten Countries Study" aims to investigate diagnostic, epidemiological and service aspects, as well as physician practices and patient experiences of FH in several…