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Aims: Previous reports have provided conflicting data regarding the relationship between length of stay (LOS) and subsequent readmission risk among patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF)., Methods and Results: We performed a post-hoc analysis of the Efficacy of Vasopressin Antagonism in Heart Failure Outcome Study with Tolvaptan (EVEREST) trial to evaluate the differences in LOS overall and between geographic regions (North America, South America, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe) in association with all-cause and cause-specific [HF, cardiovascular (CV) non-HF, and non-CV] readmissions within 30 days of discharge after HF hospitalization. The present analysis included 4020 patients enrolled from 20 countries who were alive at discharge. Median [interquartile range (IQR)] LOS was 8 (4-11) days. The 30-day readmission rates were 15.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) 14.6-16.8] for all-cause; 5.6% (95% CI 4.9-6.3) for HF; 4.4% (95% CI 3.8-5.1) for CV non-HF; and 5.8% (95% CI 5.1-6.6) for non-CV readmissions. There was a positive correlation between LOS and all-cause readmissions (r = 0.09, 95% CI 0.06-0.12). The adjusted odds ratio for the top (≥14 days) vs. the bottom (≤3 days) quintile for LOS was 1.39 (95% CI 0. 92-2.11) for all-cause readmissions, 0.43 (95% CI 0.24-0.79) for HF, 2.99 (95% CI 1.49-6.02) for CV non-HF, and 1.72 (95% CI 1.05-2.81) for non-CV readmissions. With the exception of Western Europe, these findings remained largely consistent across geographic regions., Conclusion: In this large multinational cohort of hospitalized HF patients, longer LOS was associated with a higher risk for all-cause, CV non-HF, and non-CV readmissions, but a lower risk of HF readmissions within 30 days of discharge. These results may inform strategies to reduce readmissions., (© 2015 The Authors European Journal of Heart Failure © 2015 European Society of Cardiology.)

Aims: This study sought to investigate regional variation in clinical characteristics, therapy utilization, and post-discharge outcomes among patients hospitalized for heart failure (HHF) enrolled in the multinational ASTRONAUT (Aliskiren Trial on Acute Heart Failure Outcomes) trial., Methods and Results: The ASTRONAUT trial randomized 1615 HHF patients with ejection fraction ≤40% to aliskiren or placebo. Enrolled patients were from Eastern Europe (n = 495, 30.7%), Asia/Pacific (n = 439, 27.2%), Western Europe (n = 395, 24.5%), Latin America (n = 163, 10.1%), and North America (n = 123, 7.6%). Marked differences were seen across geographic regions in terms of baseline demographics, vital signs, laboratory tests, co-morbidity burden, and use of guideline-recommended therapies. All-cause death at 12 months ranged from 7.3% in North America to 26.7% in Asia/Pacific, with differences largely driven by sudden cardiac death. Rates of repeat HHF at 12 months ranged from 22.7% in Latin America to 43.9% in North America. After adjustment for patient characteristics, region was an independent predictor of death at 12 months, with highest risk in Asia/Pacific (hazard ratio 3.04, 95% confidence interval 1.47-6.29, compared with North America) and lowest risk in North America and Western Europe. There was no association between region and the composite of cardiovascular mortality or HHF., Conclusion: For patients enrolled in this HHF trial, baseline characteristics and risk of death differed markedly by geographic region. Rates of death and repeat HHF demonstrated a general inverse relationship. Global differences in patient characteristics and outcomes should be accounted for when designing future HHF clinical trials., (© 2015 The Authors. European Journal of Heart Failure © 2015 European Society of Cardiology.)

Aims: In patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), left bundle branch block (LBBB) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. We aimed to investigate the association of LBBB with short- and long-term outcome in patients discharged after a de novo episode of acute heart failure (AHF) or AHF complicating a mild CHF., Methods and Results: Patients with no history of New York Heart Association class III and IV CHF, who were admitted for a severe AHF episode and enrolled in the prospective observational EFICA study (n = 403), were included. Left bundle branch block prevalence was 16%. Patients with LBBB had a higher prevalence of dilated cardiomyopathy (23 vs. 10%, P < 0.005), a higher percentage of AHF episodes without identified precipitating factor (15 vs. 2%, P < 0.001), and were less likely to present increased markers of cardiac injury (41 vs. 56%, P = 0.04). The 4-week mortality was 24.8% with no difference between LBBB and no LBBB patients. Left bundle branch block was however an independent predictor of 1-year mortality in the 4-week survivors [hazards ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.01 (1.12-3.64), P = 0.02]., Conclusion: Long-term outcome of patients surviving a severe episode of de novo AHF or AHF complicating a mild CHF is worsened by LBBB. These patients may constitute a subgroup at high risk in whom specific therapeutic solutions should be investigated.

Background: Aldosterone stimulates cardiac collagen synthesis. Circulating biomarkers of collagen turnover provide a useful tool for the assessment of cardiac remodeling in patients with congestive heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction., Methods and Results: In a substudy of the Eplerenone Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Efficacy and Survival Study (EPHESUS), which evaluated the effects of the selective aldosterone receptor antagonist eplerenone versus placebo, serum levels of collagen biomarkers were measured in 476 patients with congestive heart failure after acute myocardial infarction complicated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The combination of the type I collagen telopeptide and brain natriuretic peptide levels above median at baseline was associated with all-cause mortality and the composite end point of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization, with hazard ratios of 2.49 (P=0.039) and 3.03 (P=0.002), respectively. During follow-up, levels of aminoterminal propeptide of type I and type III procollagen were found to be consistently lower in the eplerenone group and significantly lower beginning at 6 months., Conclusions: Changes in biomarkers of collagen synthesis and degradation suggest that extracellular matrix remodeling is an active process in patients with congestive heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction. High type I collagen telopeptide and high brain natriuretic peptide serum levels are associated with the highest event rate. Eplerenone suppresses post-acute myocardial infarction collagen turnover changes.

Background and Aims: The multiplicity of vaccine injections during childhood leads to iterative painful and stressful experiences which may lead in turn to anticipated pain and then possibly to a true needle phobia. We aimed at evaluating a multifactorial strategy of pain management combining pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches during vaccination, as compared to usual care, in 4- to 12-year-old children., Methods: In all, 239 children were enrolled by 25 family practitioners in an open-label study. After a pseudo-randomization, usual pain management (n = 132) was compared to a multifactorial strategy (n = 107) associating preliminary application of an anesthesic patch, preferential use of specified vaccines, child education by the parents and the doctor, parental accompaniment and child distraction with soap bubbles during the procedure. The primary outcome (i.e. child pain) was assessed with a self-report scale named visual analog scale (VAS) of pain., Results: A significant decrease in pain was obtained using the multifactorial strategy, as assessed by self-reported VAS (P < 0.0001). This was confirmed by another self-report scale (the facial pain scale revised: P = 0.005), as well as with hetero-evaluations by GPs and parents [Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale: P = 0.0007; GPs VAS (P < 0.0001), parents VAS (P < 0.0001)], which were secondary outcome criteria., Conclusions: This multifactorial method significantly decreases vaccination pain in 4- to 12-year-old children. This strategy could make vaccines more acceptable to children and may improve child-doctor relationships and contribute to a decrease in child fear about health care.

The prevalence of conduction disturbances, particularly left bundle branch block (LBBB), is strongly correlated with age and with the presence of cardiovascular disease. LBBB has been reported to affect approximately 25% of the heart failure (HF) population and it is likely that the deleterious role of such conduction disorders in the progression to HF has been underestimated. The purpose of this article is to review the data from the literature indicating that LBBB may have a causative role, mediated through the resulting intra-ventricular asynchrony, in the deterioration of cardiac function and the development of cardiac remodelling and HF. It also aims to address the potential for future clinical therapies for this conduction disorder.

Incidence and prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes, together with its long term complications is explosively rising. The trans-border project "INTERREG III" tries to explore the epidemiology in the 3 concerned countries and to tie a network between the health providers. Estimation of prevalence is around 3% of the adult population but rising for example in the Grand Duchy by 4.5% per year, meaning the number of affected patients will double in 16 years, mainly due to the increase in obesity. Chronic renal insufficiency will rise and the number of patients will double in 8 years. Cardiovascular diseases and peripheral necrosis explain the high rate of hospitalisations and the loss of Life-expectancy that seems to be reduced by 5 to 10 years. A cost analysis in this article reveals the necessity of primary and secondary prevention programs of "diabesity" in this region, together with better multidisciplinary approaches of treatment and follow-up. This article emphasizes the need of a collaboration of all actors in the field, medical and para-medical.

Objectives: The present study was undertaken to assess the differential impact of insulin resistance, leptin and body composition on myocardial mass and serum markers of cardiac fibrosis in obese subjects, within a small range of elevated BMI (30-40 kg/m(2)), without pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy or other cardiovascular disease., Background: Obesity is an independent predictor of left ventricular mass (LVM) and is associated with disturbances in cardiac structure. The extent of the interstitial fibrosis in obese patients is not known, especially in the absence of cardiac hypertrophy., Methods and Results: We included 160 obese subjects. The LVM was obtained using the Devereux formula. Body composition was estimated from a total body scan. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), and cardiac collagen turnover by measurement of procollagen type III aminopeptide (PIIINP). PIIINP was correlated to the E/A ratio (r=0.24; P=0.012), a marker of ventricular function. PIIINP was independently correlated with glucose concentration (r=0.27; P=0.004), indexes of insulin resistance (HOMA (r=0.27; P=0.003), insulin (r=0.24; P=0.008)), and parameters associated with the insulin-resistance syndrome (HDL-cholesterol r=-0.27; P=0.004) and fat trunk/fat leg ratio (r=0.24; P=0.053)). The variable most correlated with PIIINP was HDL-cholesterol, followed by HOMA (r (2)=0.13). When HOMA was substituted for blood glucose concentration and insulinemia (Model 2), HDL-cholesterol was strongly related to lower PIIINP levels, followed by higher glucose concentration (r (2)=0.21). Regression analyses showed that LVM had the strongest independent positive correlation with fat-free mass (FFM) (r=0.39; P=0.0002), followed by systolic blood pressure (r=0.19; P=0.034). Neither adipose mass nor height independently added information to multivariate models. The ratio leptin/fat mass was correlated with LVM (r=-0.27; P=0.004), but not independently of the FFM. Markers for fibrosis were not significantly correlated with LVM. As a result, FFM was the most predictive factor of LVM in obese subjects., Conclusion: We found that serum levels of markers of cardiac collagen synthesis were significantly associated with insulin resistance in normotensive, nondiabetic obese subjects, and not related to the LVM. As a result, PIIINP could be a very early marker of ventricular dysfunction in these patients. Furthermore, we suggest that, for better detection of left ventricle hypertrophy in obese subjects, LVM should be indexed to FFM rather than to body surface area, or height.

Background: Patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) are at high risk of antioxidant deficiencies. Furthermore, this disease can lead to diabetes mellitus (DM) that could exacerbate the severity of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress and the resulting LDL oxidation are a major cause of atherosclerosis., Objective: The objective of the study was to ascertain whether diabetes significantly modifies oxidative status in patients with CP., Design: CP patients with or without DM were compared with type 1 DM patients and healthy control subjects., Results: Two-way factorial analyses showed that a decrease in the plasma concentrations of vitamin A, vitamin E, and carotenoids accompanied both CP and DM, and CP was also associated with lower plasma concentrations of selenium and zinc, lower catalase activity, and higher plasma concentrations of copper. The lag phase of LDL oxidation was lower in CP patients with or without DM than in the control subjects, whereas there was no significant difference between type 1 DM patients and control subjects. Multivariate analysis showed that LDL vitamin E (R2 = 0.24, P < 0.0001) and fasting plasma glucose (R2 = 0.32, P < 0.0001) concentrations were the main determinants of the lag phase of LDL oxidation., Conclusions: Antioxidant status is altered in CP patients, particularly in those who also have DM. In these patients, a vitamin E deficiency and an elevated plasma glucose concentration were associated with significantly higher LDL oxidizability.

We hypothesized that onset of sensory block is delayed in infected versus healthy tissues within the same nerve distribution after axillary brachial plexus block (ABPB) and that clonidine added to mepivacaine would enhance anesthesia and postoperative analgesia. Forty-one outpatients undergoing thumb/index paronychia surgery under ABPB were randomly assigned to receive in a double-blind fashion 400 mg mepivacaine plus either 100 microg clonidine (clonidine group, n = 21) or 2 mL saline (placebo group, n = 20). Onset of sensory block in the infected area was delayed compared with healthy areas of the same nerve distribution (24.7 +/- 5.5 min versus 21.3 +/- 7.2; P = 0.02 for median and 21.6 +/- 7.8 min; P = 0.04 for radial) within the placebo group. In the clonidine group, when compared to placebo i) onset of sensory block in both the median and radial nerve territories was accelerated (11.1 +/- 5.6 and 10.5 +/- 5.2 versus 21.3 +/- 7.2 and 21.6 +/- 7.8 min, respectively; P < 0.001), ii) onset of sensory block in the region of infection was accelerated (9.1 +/- 1.9 versus 24.7 +/- 5.5 min; P < 0.001), iii) duration of anesthesia (275 +/- 75 versus 163 +/- 57; P = 0.04) and time to first analgesic requirement (279 +/- 87 versus 197 +/- 84 min; P = 0.002) were prolonged with decreased visual analog scale scores at this time (30 +/- 18 versus 70 +/- 24; P < 0.001), and iv) verbal numeric rating scores were decreased at 24 h (1.7 +/- 2.2 versus 4.1 +/- 3.0; P = 0.002) and 48 h (0.1 +/- 0.5 versus 1.5 +/- 2.4; P = 0.01) postoperatively. Our findings suggest that in the setting of distal infected tissue surgery under ABPB infected tissues are resistant to anesthesia compared with healthy areas within the same nerve distribution and clonidine added to mepivacaine enhances both anesthesia and postoperative analgesia.

Unlabelled: Adjuncts to local anesthetics for peripheral plexus blockade may enhance the quality and duration of anesthesia and postoperative analgesia. The analgesic, tramadol, has a unique mechanism of action that suggests efficacy as such an adjunct. It displays a central analgesic and peripheral local anesthetic effect. We designed a prospective, randomized, controlled and double-blind clinical trial to assess the effect of tramadol added to brachial plexus anesthesia. One-hundred patients scheduled for carpal tunnel release surgery under brachial plexus anesthesia were randomized into four groups. All patients received 1.5% mepivacaine 40 mL plus a study solution containing either isotonic sodium chloride (Group P, n = 17), tramadol 40 mg (Group T(40), n = 22), tramadol 100 mg (Group T(100), n = 20) or tramadol 200 mg (Group T(200), n = 20). We evaluated the time of onset of anesthesia, duration of sensory and motor blockade, duration and quality of postoperative analgesia, and occurrence of adverse effects. Onset and duration of sensory and motor blocks were not different among groups. The number of patients requesting analgesia in the postoperative period was significantly less in the 3 tramadol groups compared with the placebo group (P = 0.02); this was also noted with the placebo and T(40) groups compared with the T(200) group. No statistical significance was demonstrated between the placebo and the T(40) group or the T(100) group and the T(200) group. Furthermore, there was a significant trend effect among groups applying the Cochran-Armitage tendency test (P = 0.003), suggesting a dose-dependent decrease for additional postoperative analgesia requirements when tramadol was added. Side effects did not differ among groups, although they were more frequently recorded in the T groups. Our study suggests that tramadol added to 1.5% mepivacaine for brachial plexus block enhances in a dose-dependent manner the duration of analgesia with acceptable side effects. However, the safety of tramadol has to be investigated before allowing its use in clinical practice., Implications: Tramadol's unique mechanism of action suggests efficacy as a local anesthetic adjunct for peripheral plexus blockade. Our study demonstrates that tramadol, added to mepivacaine for brachial plexus anesthesia, extends the duration and improves the quality of postoperative analgesia in a dose dependent fashion with acceptable side effects.

Objective: To assess and compare the technical accuracy of portable glucose meters during the last decade., Research Design and Methods: One-thousand preprandial (pre) and postprandial (post) capillary whole-blood glucose values measured with meters owned mainly by diabetic patients were compared with a single laboratory method yearly from 1989 to 1999. A total of 21,950 capillary measurements and their corresponding laboratory reference values were analyzed at our clinic., Results: The lowest mean absolute difference was found in 1989 (pre: 2 +/- 22 mg/dl, post: 9 +/- 31 mg/dl) (mean +/- SD). The highest mean absolute difference was observed in 1993 (pre: 31 +/- 33 mg/dl) and 1996 (post: 50 +/- 35 mg/dl). The highest mean relative deviation was observed in 1990 (pre: 16.4%) and 1996 (post: 20.6%). The highest percentage of readings that were within a 5% deviation limit were observed in 1998 (pre: 44.5%) and in 1997 (post: 36.7%). Based on blood glucose levels within +/-5 and +/-10% of laboratory values, the technical accuracy of meters was similar for 1989 and 1999 (P = 0.27 and 0.52, respectively). The percentage of pre values in zone A of Clarke's error grid analysis was >90% in 1989, 1997, 1998, and 1999., Conclusions: The analytical performance of glucose meters decreased between 1990 and 1996 but was restored between 1997 and 1999. Nevertheless, our data suggest that the technical accuracy of glucose meters has not significantly improved during the last decade. Complementary studies taking into account the preanalytical improvements of the recent meters, as well as their calibration method, appear necessary.

Objective: This study was designed to test the accuracy of capillary ketonemia for diagnosis of ketosis after interruption of insulin infusion., Research Design and Methods: A total of 18 patients with type 1 diabetes treated by external pump were studied during pump stop for 5 h. Plasma and capillary ketonemia and ketonuria were determined every hour from 7:00 A.M. (time 0 min = T0) to 12:00 P.M. (time 300 min = T300). Plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-OHB) levels were measured by an enzymatic end point spectrophotometric method, and capillary beta-OHB levels were measured by an electrochemical method (MediSense Optium meter). Ketonuria was measured by a semiquantitative test (Ketodiastix). Positive ketosis was defined by a value of >/=0.5 mmol/l for ketonemia and >/=4 mmol/l (moderate) for ketonuria., Results: After stopping the pump, concentrations of beta-OHB in both plasma and capillary blood increased significantly at time 60 min (T60) compared with T0 (P < 0.001), reaching maximum levels at T300 (1.30 +/- 0.49 and 1.23 +/- 0.78 mmol/l, respectively). Plasma and capillary beta-OHB values were highly correlated (r = 0.94, P < 0.0001). For diagnosis of ketosis, capillary ketonemia has a higher sensitivity and negative predictive value (80.4 and 82.5%, respectively) than ketonuria (63 and 71.8%, respectively). For plasma glucose levels >/=250 mg/dl, plasma and capillary ketonemia were found to be more frequently positive (85 and 78%, respectively) than ketonuria (59%) (P = 0.017). The time delay to diagnosis of ketosis was significantly higher for ketonuria than for plasma ketonemia (212 +/- 67 vs. 140 +/- 54 min, P = 0.0023), whereas no difference was noted between plasma and capillary ketonemia., Conclusions: The frequency of screening for ketosis and the efficiency of detection of ketosis definitely may be improved by the use of capillary blood ketone determination in clinical practice.

Objective: Performance criteria have been established for in vitro blood glucose monitoring, particularly for the self-monitoring of blood glucose using glucose meters. Devices intended for use in the future, such as the continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS), should satisfy similar criteria, particularly in diabetic patients under intensive therapy., Research Design and Methods: The analysis was conducted on 18 type 1 diabetic patients (not controlled, HbA(1c) >7.5%) treated by external pump using insulin analogs. Each patient received a glucose sensor for 3 days during his/her hospitalization and was instructed in its operation. Medtronic criteria were used to determine the accuracy of the CGMS. In addition, the data were analyzed according to American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria, Clarke Error Grid analysis, and method of residuals, with the glucose oxidase method using a Beckman analyzer used as the reference method. Specificity and sensitivity were evaluated from the viewpoint of accuracy in the detection of hypoglycemia. For nine patients, two glucose sensors were simultaneously inserted into an abdominal site to determine the reproducibility of the system. RESULTS-Among the 33 glucose sensors inserted, 6 (18%) were nonfunctional. The mean duration of CGMS recording was 63 +/- 12 h. From all of the 692 sets of data that paired glucose readings and CGMS, the coefficients of correlation ranged from 0.87 to 0.92 and the mean absolute error ranged from 12.8 to 15.7%. The time experienced in hypoglycemia (<55 mg/dl) was reported at 86 +/- 62 min/day. Only 39% of the CGMS values satisfied the ADA precision criteria to within +/-10%, and 19% of these values satisfied the future ADA precision criteria of accuracy to within +/-5%. The means of difference method showed that the CGMS slightly underestimated the plasma glucose values (mean = -12 mg/dl). Error grid analysis showed only 77% of the glucose sensor values were in zone A, and 98.9% were in zones A and B. Two values fell in zone C and a single value fell in zone D. The sensitivity and specificity of the CGMS to detect hypoglycemia were 33 and 96%, respectively. A total of 6666 paired sensor values were recorded with a coefficient of correlation of 0.84 with a coefficient of variation of 8.25%., Conclusions: CGMS could be useful in routine clinical practice to provide much more information on the glucose profile than intermittent self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). However, CGMS cannot be used as a replacement for glucose meters because it does not satisfy the conventional performance goals set down for in vitro glucose measurements and could therefore lead to clinically incorrect treatment decisions.

Objective: This study was designed to assess the insulin-sparing effect of oral administration of metformin along with a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) for the treatment of type 1 diabetic patients., Research Design and Methods: A total of 62 patients (25 women and 37 men) were studied in a monocenter, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study, comparing metformin (850 mg b.i.d.) with placebo in association with CSII during a 6-month period., Results: Treatment with metformin was associated with a reduction in daily insulin requirements between V0 and V6 of -4.3 +/- 9.9 units (-7.8 +/- 18%) compared with an increase with placebo treatment of 1.7 +/- 8.3 units (2.8 +/- 12.7%) (P = 0.0043). A decrease in basal requirement of insulin was also observed in patients treated with metformin of -2.6 +/- 3.2 units (-7.9 +/- 23.8%) compared with an increase with placebo treatment of 1.9 +/- 5.7 units (8.8 +/- 27.1%) (P = 0.023). HbA(1c) remained unchanged in treatment with metformin and placebo between V0 and V6. The number of hypoglycemic events (<60 mg/dl) was similar in both groups. Significant reductions of total cholesterol (P = 0.04) and LDL cholesterol (P = 0.05) were observed in patients treated with metformin. Gastrointestinal events, including diarrhea and abdominal pain, were reported in three patients in the metformin group who discontinued the trial. Mild or moderate gastrointestinal side effects were also reported in eight patients treated with metformin and two patients treated with placebo (P = 0.069)., Conclusions: Metformin was found to be a safe insulin-sparing agent, when used in combination with CSII for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.

The oral fat load tests (OFLT) used to study postprandial lipemia are generally conducted during the day. A nocturnal fat load test could be convenient and physiologically more appropriate. We have therefore compared the lipemic responses of 9 normolipidemic young men to OFLT given at 2200 h (nocturnal) and at 0700 h (diurnal). Triglyceride and retinyl palmitate concentrations were measured for 10 h. Peak plasma concentrations or areas under curves (AUC) for triglyceride after the diurnal and nocturnal tests were not significantly different [2.17 +/- 0.78 (diurnal) vs. 2.04 +/- 0.87 mmol/L (nocturnal) and 13.12 +/- 4.45 (diurnal) vs. 13.74 +/- 5.79 mmol/(L. h) (nocturnal)]. Peak plasma concentrations and AUC retinyl palmitate for the two tests were not different [1.71 +/- 0.69 (diurnal) vs. 1.42 +/- 0.66 mg/L (nocturnal) and 7.17 +/- 3.98 (diurnal) vs. 6.63 +/- 4.23 mg/(L. h) (nocturnal)]. The diurnal triglyceride peak occurred significantly earlier (4.3 +/- 1.2 h) than the nocturnal peak (5.8 +/- 1.7 h, P < 0.05). We have developed a model using only three sample time points to predict AUC [triglyceride at 0 h, triglyceride at average peak-time (4 h for diurnal and 6 h for nocturnal tests), and triglyceride at 10 h], thus reducing the number of blood samples. The predicted AUC was well correlated with the total AUC after nocturnal OFLT (r = 0.98, P < 0.0001). The nocturnal test appeared to be well tolerated by the subjects. The three-point simplified protocol may well be suitable for studies on large groups of subjects.

Background: We assessed the ability of LDL from 30 type 1 diabetic patients (18 men, 12 women), 65 type 2 diabetic patients (35 men, 30 women), and 35 controls (19 men, 16 women) to generate peroxides. The men and women in the diabetic groups were studied separately and matched for age, body mass index, duration of diabetes, glycohemoglobin, and conventional lipid characteristics according to the presence or absence of hyperlipidemia., Methods: The ability of LDL to form peroxides was assessed by measuring the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances corrected for LDL-cholesterol [ratio of malondialdehyde (MDA) to LDL-cholesterol]. LDL particle size was expressed as the ratio of LDL-cholesterol to apolipoprotein B (LDL-cholesterol/apoB)., Results: The MDA/LDL-cholesterol ratio was higher in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients with hyperlipidemia than in controls. The MDA/LDL-cholesterol ratio was also higher in type 2 normolipidemic women than in controls (P <0.01). The LDL-cholesterol/apoB ratio was lower in type 2 diabetic women than in type 2 diabetic men (P <0.05). The MDA/LDL-cholesterol ratio was negatively correlated with the LDL-cholesterol/apoB ratio (r = -0.78, P <0.001) in hyperlipidemic type 1 (not type 2) diabetic patients. In normolipidemic type 2 diabetic patients, the MDA/LDL-cholesterol ratio was also negatively correlated with the LDL-cholesterol/apoB ratio (r = -0.75, P <0.001) because of the highly significant negative correlation in type 2 diabetic women (r = -0.89, P <0.01)., Conclusions: LDL from well-controlled type 2 diabetic women is smaller and more prone to form peroxides. This could explain why diabetic women are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease.

The arterial system of the palmar subcutaneous fatty tissue of fingers was studied by injecting a coloured silicone polymer into the vessels of 12 fresh human cadaver hands. Arterial vascularisation of these tissues is ensured by small palmar branches arising from the main digital arteries: there were an average of 7 branches on each side varying between 4 and 12 in the specimens studied. Three anatomical patterns could be distinguished: an I-shaped configuration in 64% of cases, a narrow V-shape in 23%, and a Y-shape in 13%. An accompanying venous network was always present and drained into either the superficial or deep venous network. These anatomical findings confirm the vascular reliability of the homodigital subcutaneous flap described by the authors.

The authors propose a volar subcutaneous pedicled flap to cover skin defects over the dorsum of the same finger. This flap includes all the subcutaneous (adipofascial) tissues from the reticular dermis to the synovial sheath of the flexor tendons. After elevation of the dermo-epidermal flap, the subcutaneous tissues are raised as a flap pedicled laterally on one of the collateral arteries which constitutes the axis of rotation and transposition. After release of the collateral neurovascular bundle from its connections with the skeleton, the skin and the synovial sheath, the flap can be transposed to the dorsum of the finger and then covered with a split thickness skin graft. The advantages of this technique are: (1) No functional or cosmetic sequelae at the donor site which is closed by the volar dermo-epidermal flap; (2) Homodigital flap. This is particularly helpful in cases of multidigit involvement where cross-finger flaps cannot be performed; (3) Vascular reliability; (4) Preservation of both collateral arteries.

We reviewed the anatomy of vascular systems used for both direct and reverse dorsal metacarpal flaps. The three-dimensional arrangement of the dorsal arterial network of the hand was examined. The collateral and terminal branches of this dorsal arterial network are described as a potential source of blood supply for composite flaps. Three types of dorsal-palmar anastomotic network were identified at the first and second metacarpal spaces, in the web space area. They could provide blood supply to reverse metacarpal flaps. Results of a series of 12 cases of reverse metacarpal flaps are given.