varicose veins, especially those complicated with superficial thrombophlebitis revealed increased free radical generation. Its sources might be neutrophils, and in vv complicated with superficial thrombophlebitis-xanthine oxidase.

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IntroductIon Arteriovenous fistulas are a preferred access for hemodialysis. Subsequent hemodynamic changes in systemic circulation may cause heart failure. The general conclusions that can be drawn from the few available studies are that high-flow fistulas causing symptomatic heart failure should be subjected either to reconstruction or ligation. However, it is still unclear whether a well-functioning fistula should be ligated after successful kidney transplantation.objectIves The aim of our study was to assess the effect of the fistula on heart function in patients after kidney transplantation. PAtIents And methodsThe study included 18 patients after kidney transplantation. Five patients underwent fistula ligation for esthetic reasons; 4 fistulas thrombosed shortly after transplantation. A group of 9 patients with a patent fistula was matched for age and sex. Heart function was assessed by physical examination and echocardiography.results The study group consisted of 6 women and 3 men, aged 32 to 64 years, with 6 forearm and 3 arm fistulas, and with hemoglobin levels ranging from 6.95 to 9.63 mmol/l. The control group consisted of 6 women and 3 men, aged 38 to 66 years, with 5 forearm fistulas and hemoglobin levels ranging from 7.32 to 9.25 mmol/l. Control echocardiography was performed in each patient 3 months after fistula closure and did not reveal any significant differences compared with baseline examination.conclusIons Fistula ligation performed in a stable kidney allograft recipient does not seem to have a beneficial effect on cardiac function during short-term follow-up. Decision making should be cautious and balanced, because the creation of a new access may be extremely difficult and not always feasible.

Varicose saphenous vein segments, segments of those veins with thrombophlebitis, and segments of normal veins obtained during operation on 23 patients were studied to define the pattern of pro-oxidative and antioxidative systems in these tissues. In segments of varicose veins (VV) the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly decreased as compared with normal veins: 7.8 ±2.9 vs 13.5 ±4.3 U/mg of protein (P < 0.05), but it was almost unchanged in the segments of W with thrombophlebitis. The activity of glutathione reductase (GSH-R) in all studied segments was similar and amounted to about 12.0 IU. The content of free sulfhydryl (SH) groups, the concentration of ascorbic acid, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS) in segments of VV were significantly decreased by 40%, 48%, and 47%, respectively (P < 0.05) as compared with segments of normal veins. The values of ascorbic acid and TBA-RS in the segments of W with thrombophlebitis were increased by 13% and 16%, respectively, as compared with segments of normal veins. Decreased activities of SOD and reduced levels of free SH-groups and of ascorbic acid concentration in W may indicate impaired antioxidant mechanisms in this tissue.