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Phleboliths are “vein stones” and represent calcifications within venous structures. They are particularly common in the pelvis, where they may mimic ureteric calculi, and in venous malformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To recognise the importance of optimising glycaemic control in people with diabetes mellitus • To refresh your knowledge of the complications associated with diabetes • To be aware of the areas to consider when caring for people with a long duration of diabetes Elevated blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia) and insulin resistance over time are determinants of the onset and progression of a range of complications associated with diabetes mellitus, including cardiovascular disease, neuropathy (nerve damage), diabetic kidney disease and eye conditions. Maintaining optimal glycaemic control may reduce the risk of developing such complications and has been shown to reduce the severity of some renal and eye conditions. However, achieving optimal glycaemic control can be challenging because of various physical and psychological factors that can cause fluctuations in blood glucose levels. This article provides an overview of some of the complications associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights a panel that discussed advanced solutions and achieving superior outcomes with durable treatments in patients with challenging retinal vascular diseases. Dr. Adi Smith described the case of a 65-year-old White man with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and a large refractory pigment epithelial detachment with adjacent subretinal fluid. Dr. Katherine Talcott presented the case of a 49-year-old man with diabetic macular edema who was lost to follow-up.

Why you should read this article: • To enhance your knowledge of diagnosis and treatment in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) • To learn about the specificities of history taking and physical examination in suspected DVT • To better understand how you can support patients with DVT, notably in terms of adherence to treatment Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) commonly develops in the deep veins of the legs, but it can potentially form in any part of the body. There are several risk factors associated with DVT including prolonged immobility, malignancy, recent surgery and family history. One of the main risks of DVT is that the thrombus that has formed in a vein may travel through the body and become lodged in the pulmonary system, causing a pulmonary embolism, which is life-threatening. In the UK, specialist services and diagnostic pathways have been developed to speed up the diagnosis and treatment of DVT, many of which are now nurse-led. This article uses a case study to outline the assessment of patients with suspected DVT and the treatment of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of DVT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an overview of the direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) currently licensed for use in the United Kingdom, as of March 2021. Topics covered include the properties of DOACs, the indications for DOACs, including venous thromboembolism, non-valvular atrial fibrillation and cancer-associated thrombosis, and doses of DOACs. It also cites the side effects and risk of bleeding, drug interactions and use in patients with extreme body weights.

The article offers information on how to clinically distinguished retinal vascular tumors including retinal capillary hemangiomas (RCH), cavernous hemangiomas and racemose hemangiomatosis. RCH were cited as highly vascularized tumors that presents red, round and circumscribed mass in midperiphery and are associated with Von Hippel-Lindau disease. Racemose hemangiomatosis also presents dilated tortuous retinal vessels while cavernous hemangionas manifest as multiple venous aneurysms.

The article examines the presentations of glaucoma, its diagnosis, treatment and steps necessary to screen patients with glaucoma. Topics discsused include an increase in the patients suffering from the open-angle glaucoma; systemic conditions resulting in ischemic vascular disease, such as diabetes increasing the risk of developing normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and role of prompt detection in preserving vision.

The article offers the authors' insights on the cilinical utility of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). The authors discuss the advantages and limitations of OCTA which include one advantage is the use of OCTA as an important tool for studying retinal vascular diseases, another one is the ability to delineate the vessels surrounding the foveal avascular zone, and one limitation is its restricted field of view. They mention the use of OCTA for vascular and chorioretinal diseases.

A case study of a 72-year-old African-American male was referred for glaucoma evaluation. It notes that he reported with the complaints of blurry vision and dry, irritated eyes. It notes that he also complained of chronic waxing and waning foreign body sensation in both eyes. The article discusses advanced glaucoma and advanced vascular disease.

The article offers information regarding the idiopathic macular telangiectasia (IMT) which represents retinal vascular malformation. It highlights several signs and symptoms of idiopathic macular telangiectasia including painless disturbances in vision, vision acuity and edema. It also cites the use of confocal blue reflectance (CBR) imaging for an early diagnosis of IMT.

The article reports that vascular deregulation has a huge impact on the eyes. It discusses the symptoms of primary and secondary vascular deregulations and also reviews ocular vasculature. It also reports of hypotension and hypertension conditions and its impact on the eyes. The article explains this with the help of diagrams, charts and a quiz. INSET: OSC QUIZ.

Normal coagulation is a delicate balance between pro- and antithrombotic mechanisms. Haemorrhage results from dysfunctional/absent procoagulant mechanisms and can be caused by inherited or acquired factors. The most common acquired abnormalities seen in the clinical setting are covered in this article, including vitamin K deficiency, warfarin therapy, liver disease, direct oral anticoagulants, disseminated intravascular coagulation, platelet disorders and vascular disorders. Patients bleeding on warfarin therapy need urgent international normalized ratio testing and reversal with vitamin K and/or prothrombin complex concentrate. Patients bleeding while taking direct oral anticoagulants need a wider approach. Liver disease results in complex haemostatic changes, and the management of bleeding depends on the site and severity of bleeding. Disseminated intravascular coagulation can complicate many clinical situations and needs prompt action when patients are bleeding. Acquired dysfunction of platelets is commonly encountered in clinical practice, often in association with drug therapy such as aspirin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the connection between vitamin K2 and calcium and their role in the protection and promotion of cardiovascular health. Topics discussed are the role of vitamin K2 in calcium utilization to help build bone strength, bone mineral density and lower risk of vascular damage by inhibiting calcium from depositing in the vessel walls, and the correlation between dysfunctional calcium-regulatory proteins such as (MGP) with the development of arterial calcification.

Aneurysms can occur in any blood vessel, but aortic aneurysms in the abdominal aorta are particularly common. Large aortic aneurysms are likely to progress to life-threatening rupture or dissection, which is usually fatal. Elective repair of large aneurysms therefore reduces mortality and morbidity. Small aneurysms may be present in patients who present with other conditions. They will be monitored, but do not usually warrant the risks of undertaking repair on the body's main artery. This article reviews the pathophysiology, medical treatments and nursing care of abdominal aortic aneurysms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on retinal vein occlusion (RVO). It reports that RVO is one of the most common retinal vascular diseases with a prevalence of 0.1 to 1.6 percent. It also discusses its association with systemic diseases including hypertension and diabetes. The types of RVO are also presented including the central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and hemi-central retinal vein occlusion (HRVO).

The article discusses the prevalence of ocular rosacea which represents chronic inflammatory centro-facial dermatosis. It highlights the signs and symptoms of ocular rosacea including redness and dilated blood vessels, thickening of the skin and pimples. It also examines the movement of white blood cells into the affected cornea.

Complications associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to microvascular and macrovascular damage, which can have financial implications for patients and the NHS, and affect quality of life. This article discusses the identification, management and prevention of complications associated with diabetes to relieve existing symptoms and reduce further damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on various aspects of stroke and transient ischaemic attack. It refers its definition, short and long term management, referral, prescription, and risk factor management. Stroke is said to be a clinical syndrome characterized by the rapid onset of a focal cerebral deficit lasting at least 24 hours and for which there is no other cause than a vascular one, whereas transient ischaemic attack, differs from a stroke only in the deficit lasting time.

This article examines venous thromboembolism (VTE) and offers guidance on its prevention. VTE is a potentially fatal condition, which can be prevented using both pharmacological and mechanical methods. Nursing staff should be aware of the risk factors that predispose patients to venous thromboembolism and ensure that high-risk patients receive the prophylaxis they require. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the need for prompt intervention for patients with retinal occlusive vascular diseases in the U.S. Retinal occlusive vascular disease is commonly associated with systemic disease, so it is significant to co-manage such patients. The goal is in treating patients with retinal vascular occlusions is to preserve vision. The implementation of early treatment strategies associated with possible recovery of some vision relies on early diagnosis.

The article presents information about the vascular disease. Traditional vascular clinics required the patient to see the vascular surgeon in his or her outpatient clinic, where a few baseline blood investigations were ordered. A number of large randomized trials or meta-analyses have recently been published and significantly influenced vascular surgical practice, especially relating to blood pressure control, and statin and antiplatelet therapy. Blood pressure control remains the cornerstone of best medical therapy in the management of patients with peripheral vascular disease, but thresholds for intervention remain controversial. The Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study (ACAS) reported in 1995 and its findings are corroborated by ACST.

Focuses on the factors causing age-related macular degeneration. Accumulation of metabolic debris; Impact of oxidative insults; Involvement of primary vascular changes in the choroid plexus.

The author discusses aspects of Giant cell arteritis (GCA), an eye disease and common signs to identify it. He states that GCA is a com­mon vasculitis in adults older than 50 years, which affects medium and large size eye vessels and mentions that head­ache is the most common symptom associated with GCA. He reports that urgent treatment for GCA as it can lead to sudden vision loss related to arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy also it describes a case study and diagnosis of GCA.

Why you should read this article: • To understand the properties of the four direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) currently licensed for use in the UK • To enhance your knowledge of the indications for each DOAC • To enable you to recognise the side effects and risk of bleeding associated with each DOAC Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have provided a practical alternative to warfarin sodium and low molecular weight heparin for people requiring anticoagulation. Their advantages include a more predictable clinical effect than warfarin, with no requirement for routine monitoring, regular fixed doses, no food or drink interactions and few drug interactions. Nurses have an important role in ensuring the safe use and administration of medicines. As the use of anticoagulants advances and they are used in a variety of conditions, nurses need to ensure their knowledge of these medicines is up to date to provide safe and informed care. This article provides an overview of the DOACs currently licensed for use in the UK, including their indications, doses, side effects and other considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the novel imaging techniques and nutraceuticals on the retina of the eye. It mentions that Ranibizumab and bevacizumab continue to dominate in the treatment of acute macular degeneration (AMD) and retinal vascular disease. It states that monitoring disease progression is important in order to know the response of the novel treatments in treating AMD earlier. Moreover, total imaging allows consistent evaluation for retinal locations.

The article focuses on skin disorders that occur more commonly in older patients, including pre-malignant skin condition, Solar keratoses, Intraepidermal carcinoma and the most common of skin cancers, Basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Visible effects of skin ageing are due largely to environmental factors, which are also responsible for the development of skin cancer and pre-malignant conditions. The ageing skin may also show the effects of underlying vascular disease, both venous and arterial.

The article discusses the signs, pathophysiology, and management of pseudoxanthoma elasticum, a multisystem disorder characterized by progressive calcification and fragmentation of elastic fibers. Patients who manifest its signs and symptoms develop variable skin-based ocular and cardiovascular manifestations. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum is the result of faulty elastin formation. It is noted that no medication offers a curative solution for pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

The article provides information about the Sturge-Weber Syndrome (SWS), which is also referred to as encephalofacial or encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis The disease represents a constellation of signs and symptoms involving the skin, eyes and central nervous system. A congenital condition of SWS is characterized by a facial lesion at birth. Information on its clinical features, treatment, and some clinical pearls of the disease are offered.

Presents the case of a 23-year-old Hispanic female who was referred for the evaluation of a 'funny-looking optic nerve' in the right eye. Medical history; Best-corrected visual acuity; Dilated fundus examination; Systemic signs of retinal vasculature. Neurological evaluation to rule out involvement of the central nervous system.

The article offers information on the optometric disorder called optic disc hemorrhage (ODH) and offers suggestions for the management of the disease in patients undergoing treatment for glaucoma. Topics discussed include the features of a genuine ODH, the causes for the condition which include mechanical vascular disruption and ischemic vascular dysregulation and a case of ODH case in a 61-year-old male patient.

The article focuses on the validation of Vitamin K2 as the cardiovascular protector. Topics discussed, include the role of vitamin K2 as Menaquinione-7 (MK-7), the importance of matrix Gla protein (MGP) as the modulators of vascular calcification, and the cardiovascular benefits of vitamin K2 as MK-7 stated in 2015 paper "Expert Review Clinical Pharmacology".

The article focuses on the statement of Louis Cantor, MD, of Indiana University, Indianapolis, during the Shaffer-Harrington-Hoskins Lecture, regarding the risk factors of Glaucoma. Cantor says that intraocular pressure (IOP) is the most evident risk factor of glaucoma. He states that glaucoma has other factors including hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease myopia. He adds that it is important to determine risk factors for prevention and treatment of glaucoma.

Nurses can accurately measure patients' chances of developing a blood clot with an innovative new tool. Catharine Sadler reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a report titled "Aspirin In the Primary and Secondary Prevention of Vascular Disease: Collaborative Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data From Randomised Trials," by the Antithrombotic Trialists' (ATT) Collaboration published in a 2009 issue of "The Lancet." Topics include an overview of the research methodology used, the usefulness of aspirin in the reduction of occlusive events involving myocardial infarction patients, and vascular mortality statistics.

The article offers information on the updated review of giant cell arteritis (GCA). It states that giant cell arteritis means inflammatory disease of blood vessels most commonly large and medium arteries of the head. It defines the three common clinical subtypes of GCA which include systemic inflammatory syndrome, cranial arteritis, and large vessel vasculitis. It notes that the mainstay treatment of GCA is corticosteroid.

The article provides information on the signs and symptoms, pathophysiology, and treatment of idiopathic juxtafoveal retinal telangiectasia (IJRT). Patients with IJRT are typically 40 years or older and have coincident history of ischemic vascular diseases or hypertension. IJRT may refer to an acquired capillary ectasia and dilation in the parafoveal region leading to vascular incompetence. Recognition of the clinical signs is the most crucial aspect of managing patients with IJRT.

The article reports a study about chronic hypertension and that it does not help reduce glaucoma risk and states that high blood pressure due to hypertension is one of the causes of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in older patients though systemic hypertension protects younger people against the risk. It further states that longer duration of occurences of hypertension causes greater vascular damage, which in turn negates the protection by it for glaucoma risk.

The article focuses on a study regarding the heart health benefits of having Omega-3 fatty acids on fish. Accordingly, Omega-3 exert heart-healthy effects including reduction of heart attacks, slashing sudden death from heart attack, and improving angina, as well as counteracting inflammation. However, the health benefits of Omega-3 were not confined to the heart and blood vessels.

The article presents an update on the accomplishments of the American Hospital Association (AHA) Quality Center. AHA has expanded to 14 measures, including two new all or nothing composite measures for vascular care and cancer screening. More than 350 clinic sites around the state are reporting measures, covering more than 90 percent of primary care patient visits. The center uses measures that physicians have agreed are important for their patients and it conducts the measures as a community.

The article presents a discussion on vascularized limbal keratitis. This term was created to differentiate it from marginal corneal infiltrates and pterygium with relation to rigid lens wear. Light sensitivity, excess lacrimation, foreign body sensation and pain are some of its first symptoms. Both short term and long term treatments can be considered. A short term course of topical steroid therapy like Lotemax drops is advisable for the patient. Rubbing of eye and use of topical decongestants like Visine should be avoided.

Presents information on the evidence and effect of coexisting systemic vascular disorders in the discussion of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION). Onset of AION; Important aspects of the vasculature of the optic nerve blood flow; Illustration of the optic nerve vasculature.

Reports that homocysteine could be a risk factor for various vascular diseases. Homocysteine as an intermediary amino acid; Prevalence of elevated homocysteine levels among non-diabetic patients; Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) as an important enzyme in the remethylation pathway of homocysteine.

The article discusses various conditions or associated medications that would help refractive surgeons determine if a patient is healthy enough for a Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery. It includes autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn's disease, collagen vascular diseases, and immunodeficiency diseases like AIDS. The significance for surgeon's of knowing their patient's health history for an educated decision is highlighted.

The article discusses research which suggests association between low testosterone levels and increased vascular calcification, conducted by Thomas G. Travison and colleagues, presented at the June 2012 Endocrine Society Annual Meeting & Expo held in Houston, Texas.

The article presents research which found a relationship between elevated inflammatory markers and children's weight status which may indicate that obese children are at a greater risk of long-term vascular damage.

The article offers findings on two medical studies. A study depicts that descement's-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) is a viable and effective option in patients having existing glaucoma tube shunts in the anterior segment. The Cardiovascular Health Study showed that age-related macular degeneration is related to underlying systemic vascular disease.