Our study shows that additional BTA angioplasty to BTK intervention may improve the primary patency rate and have higher event free rate, which slightly missed the margin of statistically significance. RBC decreased significantly more in BTA group compared to BTK group, which reflected that the outcome of intervention is better with additional BTA angioplasty.

DEB is effective in the treatment of below the knee critical stenosis and occlusions in ESRD patients with critical limb ischemia.

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the drug-eluting balloon with self-expanding interwoven nitinol stent deployment in patients with complex femoropopliteal lesions. Methods We retrospectively identified patients at our clinic with complex femoropopliteal artery lesions treated either with self-expanding interwoven nitinol stent or drug-eluting balloon. All patients had ankle-brachial index measured before and after the intervention, and regular clinical follow-up with Doppler ultrasonography was performed at six months and one year. Patients underwent peripheral angiography if needed. Results From April 2012 to July 2015, 107 patients with complex femoropopliteal lesions treated with using self-expanding interwoven nitinol stent ( N = 49, mean length 143.5 mm, mean follow-up of 14.1 ± 3.7 months) or drug-eluting balloon ( N = 58, mean length 140.6 mm, mean follow-up of 13.8 ± 4.1 months). The technical success rate was 100% in Supera® and 96.6% in drug-eluting balloon group. There were seven restenosis in self-expanding interwoven nitinol stent (SUS) group (84.8% patency) and 11 restenosis in drug-eluting balloon group (79.2% patency). A significant increase in the ankle-brachial index in both groups after intervention demonstrated a hemodynamic success (SUS group 0.45 ± 0.06, drug-eluting balloon group 0.43 ± 0.07). The mean Rutherford Becker Class significantly decreased in both groups after a follow-up of 12 months (SUS group 0.70 ± 0.73, drug-eluting balloon group 0.74 ± 0.75). Conclusion Deploying drug-eluting balloon or self-expanding interwoven nitinol stent in patients with complex femoropopliteal lesions are both safe and effective with high patency rates with no statistical difference for one-year primary patency rates between them.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to assess the characteristics of these patients.Materials and Methods: Stable COPD patients (age, >40 years) were included in the study between January 2014 and June 2014. Patients with acute exacerbations and a previous lung resection were excluded. Data regarding demographic characteristics were recorded. The modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale was used to assess the severity of breathlessness. The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) was performed. Abdominal aortic diameter was measured using abdominal ultrasonography (AUS), and AAA was diagnosed as an aortic diameter of ≥30 mm at the renal artery level.Results: In total, 82 patients were examined. AAA was detected in five (6.1%) patients. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease were present in four patients with AAA. The average mMRC score was 3.2±0.4, and the mean CAT score was 18.4±6.0. Aneurysmal diameter was >50 mm in four patients and 37 mm in one patient. Statistically significant differences were found between patient with AAA and those without AAA with respect to the mean abdominal aortic diameters at the renal artery and iliac artery levels (p=0.012 and 0.002, respectively). Conclusion:Our findings suggest that AAA is associated with COPD, with a prevalence rate of 6.1%. AAA is usually asymptomatic until a clinical status of rupture, which is associated with a higher mortality risk. Early diagnosis of AAA is lifesaving. In COPD patients, AAA might be easily determined using AUS, which is a noninvasive and relatively cheap procedure. Sonuç: Çalışmamızda KOAH hastalarında AAA prevelansı %6,1 bulunmuş olup AAA ile KOAH hastalığının ilişkili olabileceğini düşündürmektedir. AAA yüksek mortalite riski taşıyan ve rüptür gelişimine kadar genellikle asemptomatik seyreden bir hastalıktır. Erken tanı hayat kurtarıcıdır. KOAH hastalarında AAA tanısı non invaziv ve nisbeten ucuz bir yöntem olan AUS ile kolaylıkla konulabilir.

Introduction: In this study, we investigated the effects of frequent and unnecessary change in medication to control of blood pressure. Also we investigated the role of the regular use of drugs in the treatment of hypertension.Patients and Methods: Nine hundred hypertensive patients (509 males and 391 females; mean age 62.4 ± 12.1 years) were evaluated retrospectively. Only the patients taking anti-hypertensives for at least six months were included. Patients’ records were examined in terms of anti-hypertensive treatment. Intra-group exchange and use of regularly in anti-hypertensive drugs were investigated. Effects of the change in blood pressure and patient compliance were investigated.Results: When intra-group drug change was examined, rates of drug changes were as follows; angiotensin receptor blocker group, 62.3%; angiotensin converting enzyme group, 55.1%; beta-blockers group, 39.9%; calcium channel blocker group, 20.9%. While the ratio of non-compliance was 28.7% in the patient group with drug change, it was only 9.3% in the group without change in treatment. Average blood pressure difference was found 6.1 ± 7.6 mmHg and 7.6 ± 7.5 mmHg respectively (p < 0.001). The average number of drug usage with and without change of anti-hypertensive drug were 2.5 ± 0.87 and 2.2 ± 0.89 (p < 0.001) respectively. Conclusion: In patients under angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blocker treatments, intra-group change of medication is common. Frequent intra-group change of anti-hypertensive drugs has negative effects on blood pressure control