The objective of this investigation was to identify the major cardiovascular changes induced by exposure to real or simulated Og (spaceflights: 6, 14, 21 and 25 days, and 6 months; head down tilt, HDT: 10 h, 4, 5, 7, 30 and 42 days), with a minimum of counter-measures. The following cardiovascular data were measured by echocardiography and Doppler ultrasonography: left ventricle end-diastolic volume (LVDV), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), ejection fraction (EF), middle cerebral artery flow velocity (Qca), femoral artery flow velocity (Qfa), cerebral vascular resistance (Rca), femoral vascular resistance (Rfa), jugular vein cross-sectional area (Ajv), femoral vein cross-sectional area (Afv), heart rate (HR), and mean blood pressure (MBP). LVDV remained decreased compared to pre-HDT or pre-flight levels after 1 week of spaceflight or HDT (-8 to -13%, P<0.05), EF did not change. HR tended to increase (5-10%) during spaceflight and HDT, whereas MBP tended to decrease during flight, but did not change in HDT. These findings are consistent with the existence of a moderate and stable hypovolemia. Qca and Rca fluctuated between +10 and -10% from pre-HDT or pre-flight values, and always showed opposing variations. There was no significant decrease in cerebral perfusion. Lower-limb resistance (Rfa) remained decreased (-5% to -18%, P<0.05) throughout the flights or HDT after week 1. Ajv remained significantly enlarged (+40% P < 0.05) after 1 week in spaceflight or in HDT. Afv was enlarged in spaceflight after week 1 (+15% to +35%, P<0.05), whereas it decreased after 4-5 days of HDT (-20% to -35%, P<0.05). The cardiovascular system reached a new and stable equilibrium during flight and HDT within less than 1 week. With the exception of the femoral vein, there was no significant difference in either the amplitude or the time course of the cardiovascular changes in both situations after 1 week.

Thigh cuffs, presently named "bracelets," consist of two straps fixed to the upper part of each thigh, applying a pressure of 30 mmHg. The objective was to evaluate the cardiac, arterial, and venous changes in a group of subjects in head-down tilt (HDT) for 7 days by using thigh cuffs during the daytime, and in a control group not using cuffs. The cardiovascular parameters were measured by echography and Doppler. Seven days in HDT reduced stroke volume in both groups (-10%; P < 0.05). Lower limb vascular resistance decreased more in the cuff group than in the control group (-29 vs. -4%; P < 0.05). Cerebral resistance increased in the control group only (+6%; P < 0.05). The jugular vein increased (+45%; P < 0.05) and femoral and popliteal veins decreased in cross-sectional area in both groups (-45 and -8%, respectively; P < 0.05). Carotid diameter tended to decrease (-5%; not significant) in both groups. Heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, and total resistance did not change significantly. After 8 h with thigh cuffs, the cardiac and arterial parameters had recovered their pre-HDT level except for blood pressure (+6%; P < 0.05). Jugular vein size decreased from the pre-HDT level (-21%; P < 0.05), and femoral and popliteal vein size increased (+110 and +136%, respectively; P < 0.05). The thigh cuffs had no effect on the development of orthostatic intolerance during the 7 days in HDT.

Quantitative parametric curve analysis of the different hypervascularized lesions confirms the depiction of the central artery in FNH and thus could help in differentiating this specific focal liver lesion from the others.

PCB is a viable technique for treatment of extensive atherosclerotic carotid lesions, recurrent carotid stenosis, and carotid stenosis after radiation therapy. Postoperative stroke, occlusion, and recurrent stenosis rates are comparable to those associated with CEA performed under optimal conditions.

We prospectively assessed contrast-enhanced sonography for evaluating the degree of liver fibrosis as diagnosed via biopsy in 99 patients. The transit time of microbubbles between the portal and hepatic veins was calculated from the difference between the arrival time of the microbubbles in each vein. Liver biopsy was obtained for each patient within 6 months of the contrast-enhanced sonography. Histological fibrosis was categorized into two classes: (1) no or moderate fibrosis (F0, F1, and F2 according to the METAVIR staging) or (2) severe fibrosis (F3 and F4). At a cutoff of 13 s for the transit time, the diagnosis of severe fibrosis was made with a specificity of 78.57%, a sensitivity of 78.95%, a positive predictive value of 78.33%, a negative predictive value of 83.33%, and a performance accuracy of 78.79%. Therefore, contrast-enhanced ultrasound can help with differentiation between moderate and severe fibrosis.