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Since graduated compression stockings (GCS) reduce the risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in both hospital and ambulant patients, we checked the compressive efficiency of 20−30 mmHg GCS in the standing position. In 30 volunteers (17 normal legs, 13 varicose legs), duplex ultrasound was used to measure the internal diameters of the long saphenous vein, posterior tibial veins, peroneal veins, and soleal veins in the lying and standing position and with and without 20−30 mmHg GCS. Graduated compression stockings effectively compressed both superficial and deep veins in supine individuals but not the superficial or the deep veins when standing. In the varicose leg, the stockings did not compress the long saphenous vein at the mid-calf level even when supine. In the varicose leg the long saphenous vein was constricted at the upper band of the stocking, which might explain why superficial venous thrombosis is more common when compression stockings are worn. In the standing position, GCS did not compress the deep or superficial veins of the calf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferdinand Sauerbruch (1875–1951) was a pioneer of thoracic and cardiac surgery and is undoubtedly one of the twentieth century's most outstanding surgeons. Before 1904 operations on the thorax met with fatal complications due to pneumothorax. Sauerbruch developed a pressure-differential chamber that maintained normal respiration and enabled safe operations to be undertaken on the thorax. Together with von Mikulicz, he initiated intrathoracic operations and later developed various surgical procedures on the mediastinum, lungs, pericardium, heart, and esophagus. The simple yet effective techniques of positive-pressure ventilation replaced the expensive, cumbersome negative-pressure chamber. Sauerbruch's latter years were marred by dementia that adversely affected his personality, intellect, and capacity as a surgeon. The unjustifiable toll of increasing patient morbidity and mortality forced authorities to dismiss him in 1949. He died at the age of 76 in Berlin. After almost a century since the advent of the first safe thoracic surgery, the advances in technique and technology have been enormous. A great deal is owed to the inspiration and contributions of Ferdinand Sauerbruch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transient monocular blindness (TMB) or amaurosis fugax is diagnosed when visual disturbance or loss (blindness, dimming, fogging, blurring) affects one eye for seconds or minutes. TMB may occur alone or in combination with transient hemispheric ischaemia (TIA). The cause of TMB is usually an atheromatous plaque at the carotid bifurcation in the neck liberating emboli or causing a temporary reduction in carotid and retinal blood flow. In most patients no embolus or ischaemic change is visible in the fundus. TMB should be investigated and treated in the same way as neurologic TlAs with emphasis on rapid detection of extracranial arterial disease, cardiac abnormalities and haematological disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]