Background Although the initial results of endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms
were promising, current evidence from controlled studies does not convincingly show a …

Background Necrotizing pancreatitis with infected necrotic tissue is associated with a high
rate of complications and death. Standard treatment is open necrosectomy. The outcome may …

Background Infectious complications and associated mortality are a major concern in acute
pancreatitis. Enteral administration of probiotics could prevent infectious complications, but …

Background Two randomized trials have shown better outcomes with elective endovascular
repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms than with conventional open repair in the first month …

Background Percutaneous vertebroplasty is increasingly used for treatment of pain in patients
with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, but the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and …

Background The use of cardiopulmonary bypass during coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG)
has been associated with substantial morbidity. The recent introduction of cardiac …

Background: Little is known about the efficacy and safety of renal artery stenting in patients
with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) and impaired renal function. Objective: To …

Background Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for ostial atherosclerotic renal-artery
stenosis has poor results. Angioplasty with stent placement (PTAS) may be more effective…

Background The performance of coronary bypass surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass (“off
pump”) may reduce perioperative morbidity and costs, but it is uncertain whether the …

Background and Purpose— In the discussion on the cost-effectiveness of screening, precise
estimates of severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis are vital. Accordingly, we assessed the …