Femto-lasik: The recent innovation in laser assisted refractive surgery.

Femtosecond laser has been introduced in refractive surgery to create a thin-hinged corneal flap without using any blade. The current review was planned to analyse and compare femtosecond-assisted laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), the latest refractive procedure, with conventional techniques in refractive surgery. The analysis showed that femtosecond-assisted LASIK yielded more predictable corneal flaps, lesser ocular aberrations, better uncorrected visual acuity, lesser variations in intraocular pressure (IOP) and fewer chances of developing dry eyes. Transient light sensitivity, diffuse lamellar keratitis, opaque bubble layer, corneal haze and rainbow glare are some of the demerits of femtosecond-assisted LASIK, but these can be prevented with certain precautions. The early visual rehabilitation and preservation of corneal anatomy are added benefits in the long run. Though it is expensive currently, the competition in market is expected to cut down the cost soon.

Impact of diabetes and smoking epidemic in the Middle East on the presentation with acute coronary syndrome in very young patients.

We describe the baseline characteristics, management, and outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients of age ≤ 40 in the Gulf region of the Middle East. We studied 8176 hospitalized patients (≤ 40 years) with ACS. Ten percent (805) of the recruited patients were ≤ 40 years. The mean age was 37 years and 89% were males. The prevalence of smoking and diabetes in the young patients was high (58% and 21%, respectively). The most common ACS was ST elevation myocardial infarction. Younger patients were more aggressively treated with more frequent use of glycoprotein inhibitors, thrombolytics, and primary percutaneous coronary intervention. They had less in-hospital heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction, shock, stroke, and low rate of in-hospital mortality (1%). Measures to combat the rising prevalence of diabetes and smoking are needed.

Initial hospital pulse pressure and cardiovascular outcomes in acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The association between admission pulse pressure (PP) and cardiovascular outcomes in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is not well defined. AIM: To explore the prognostic value of initial PP in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS). METHODS: Over a 5-month period in 2007, 6704 consecutive patients with ACS were categorized into five groups according to initial PP: P1, PP ≤0; P2, PP 31-40; P3, PP 41-50; P4, PP 51-60; P5, PP>60mmHg. Patient characteristics and in-hospital outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: Mean PP was lower in men versus women (55±19 vs. 61±22), young versus old (53±17 vs. 59±21), STEMI vs. NSTE-ACS (51±18 vs. 60±18) and patients who died versus survived (46±22 vs. 57±19mmHg) (P<0.001 for all). Most patients with low PP had a high Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events risk score. Compared with P5, crude odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals) for death were: P1, 9 (5.78-13.35); P2, 3 (1.71-4.06); P3, 1.5 (1.01-2.49); P4, 0.90 (0.51-1.58). After adjustment, low PP was associated with high mortality and stroke rates in ACS (adjusted ORs 7.5 [3.77-14.72] and 4.5 [1.20-18.88], respectively), high rates of recurrent ischaemia in NSTE-ACS (adjusted OR 2.8 [1.52-5.22]) and a high heart failure rate in STEMI (adjusted OR 2.1 [1.18-3.76]). Women with low PP had a higher mortality rate than men. CONCLUSION: In ACS, all blood pressure variables were significantly correlated. Low PP was an independent predictor for stroke and mortality in overall ACS. Although PP was not superior to systolic blood pressure, only low PP was an independent predictor for recurrent ischaemia in NSTE-ACS.

Trends in the Use of Evidence-based Therapies Early in the Course of Acute Myocardial Infarction and its Influence on Short Term Patient Outcomes.

AIM: To evaluate changes in management practices and its influence on short term hospital outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) admitted during two different time periods, 2007 and 2004. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied AMI patients from two acute coronary syndrome registries carried out in Kuwait in 2007 and 2004. We included 1872 and 1197 patients from the 2007 and 2004 registries, respectively. When compared with 2004, patients from the 2007 registry had similar baseline clinical characteristics. In 2007 compared to 2004, during the in-hospital period, patients with AMI received significantly more statins (94% vs. 73%%, p<0.0001), Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) (70% vs. 47%, p<0.001), and Clopidogrel (38% vs. 4%, p<0.001), while beta-blockers use dropped in 2007 compared to 2004 (63% vs. 68%, p=0.0066). The rates of in-hospital mortality and recurrent ischemia were significantly lower in the 2007 cohort compared with the 2004 cohort (for mortality 2.2% vs. 3.9%, P=0.0008, for recurrent ischemia 13.7% vs. 20.4%, P=0<0.0001).Higher utilization of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and statins were the main contributors to the improved in-hospital mortality and morbidity. IN CONCLUSION: In the acute management of AMI, there was a significant increase in the use of statins, ACE inhibitors and Clopidogrel in 2007 compared to 2004. This was associated with a significant decrease in the in-hospital mortality and recurrent ischemia. Adherence to guidelines recommended therapies improved in-hospital outcomes.