PURPOSE To perform a descriptive analysis of the effects on ocular blood flow of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for occult subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS Eleven subjects with occult subfoveal CNVM due to AMD were assessed in a masked fashion by color Doppler imaging (CDI) within 24 hours before, 24 hours after, and 1 mo...

Positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) may affect left ventricular (LV) performance by altering both LV diastolic compliance and pericardial pressure (Ppc). We measured the effect of PPV on LV intraluminal pressure, Ppc, LV volume, and LV cross-sectional area in 17 acute anesthetized dogs. To account for changes in lung volume independent of changes in Ppc and differences in contractility, measure...

Aging is associated with profound changes in the structure and function of the heart. A fundamental understanding of these processes, using relevant animal models, is required for effective prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in the elderly. Here, we studied cardiac performance in 4- to 5-mo-old (young) and 24- to 26-mo-old (old) Fischer 344 male rats using the Millar pressure-vo...

The aim of the study was to examine changes in left atrial appendage volume (LAA-V) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) using real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT3D-TEE) and evaluate the prediction value on the high risk of thrombosis of LAA. Using RT3D-TEE we measured: i) LAA peak empty velocity (LAA-PEV), ii) LAA-V including LAA end-diastolic vol...

AIM To evaluate differences in uteroplacental blood flow and pregnancy outcome in women with idiopathic recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (IRSM) following administration of micronized vaginal progesterone and oral dydrogesterone. METHODS One hundred and thirty-three women (aged 23-40 years) who had had early miscarriages and spontaneous conception participated. Oral dydrogesterone (group A, n...

PURPOSE Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common in males with epilepsy, likely of multifactorial etiology, including possible systemic vascular comorbidities and medication effects. Here we examined male patients for the possibility of a vasculogenic element of ED. METHODS Research participants included 47 men with epilepsy (mean age=30.98 years; duration of illness=13.98 years) and 25 healthy ma...

OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of preload in color M-mode Doppler flow propagation velocity (v(p)). BACKGROUND The interpretation of Doppler filling patterns is limited by confounding effects of left ventricular (LV) relaxation and preload. Color M-mode v(p) has been proposed as a new index of LV relaxation. METHODS We studied four dogs before and during inferior caval (IVC) occlusion a...

BACKGROUND Endothelial injury is a well-known complication in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hemodialysis. One of the sites in which early vascular changes may be detected is the retina. Of course, these flow changes may not be detected in ophthalmologic exams, but it seems that color Doppler sonography of retinal arteries may be helpful in these cases. OBJECTIVES In previous studies on CKD...

The cerebral hypoperfusion caused by chronic progressive stenosis or occlusion of intracranial arteries in moyamoya disease can be treated by direct bypass or indirect revascularization procedures. The extent of collaterals from the external carotid artery (ECA) after indirect revascularization surgery is the key point of angiographic follow-up, and the invasiveness of angiography impelled us t...