Evaluation of Keratoconus Disease with Tear Cytokine and Chemokine Levels Before and After Corneal Cross-Linking Treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To compare tear cytokine and chemokine levels of keratoconus (KC) patients with controls to perceive etiology distinctly and to clarify the molecular changes after cross-linking (CXL). METHODS: Tear samples were gathered from 34 participants in this prospective study. Participants underwent anterior and posterior segment examinations with slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Patients were assessed by corneal topography before and 3 months after CXL. Flat (K1), steep (K2), and average keratometry (Kmean), cylinder (CYL), and central corneal thickness (CCT) values were evaluated. After 3 months from CXL, samples were re-collected, and comparisons were made with preoperative values. RESULTS: Levels of IFN-gamma, IL-8, IL-12, IL-17, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-13 were detected higher in KC patients (p= 0.008, p= 0.047, p= 0.001, p= 0.001, p= 0.001, p= 0.001, p= 0.027, respectively). After CXL IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, TNF-α levels showed significant decrease (p= 0.005, p= 0.045, p= 0.010, p= 0.022, p= 0.001, p=0.002, respectively). As for the topographic measurements, postoperative CCT values were increased whereas Kmean reduced after CXL (p < 0.001, p = 0.015, respectively). (p= 0.001, p= 0.027, respectively).Our findings imply that inflammation plays a key role in the development of KC and that this link is influenced by CXL therapy.

The influence of microorganisms on early relapses after external dacryocystorhinostomy.

PURPOSE: Understanding the influence of microorganisms in patients with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) and investigating their effect on recurrence after external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). METHODS: This prospective study included 50 patients. Evaluations were made before, on the first postoperative day and monthly after DCR. Nasolacrimal silicon tubes (NST) were removed after three months. Before the DCR, swab samples were taken from both hands and lower conjunctival fornices and from the lacrimal sac during the first DCR and from the relapsed cases during the second DCR. RESULTS: Growth was observed in 90 (45%) cultures out of 200 and a total of 23 different strains were identified altogether. Staphylococcus aureus (40%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (28%) were dominantly isolated which were all resistant to penicillin, tetracycline and erythromycin. Lacrimal syringing (LS) was successful in patients (100%) on the first postoperative day. After three months, before NST removal, purulent discharge from the punctum was observed in five patients, and blockage was detected by LS. S. pneumoniae was isolated from all five patients' obstructed side conjunctival cultures. Additionally, from their lacrimal sac, S. pneumoniae (4 patients), Capnocytophaga gingivalis, and Candida spp. (1 patient) strains were isolated. S pneumoniae was isolated in four out of five patients from the ipsilateral conjunctival and lacrimal sac cultures which obtained from the subsequent DCR. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that S. pneumoniae was an isolated and persistent strain in cases with early recurrence even after a successful DCR.

Influence of Upper Eyelid Surgeries on Corneal Morphology Detected with Pentacam.

PURPOSE: To analyze the corneal morphological parameters before and one month after the upper eyelid (UE) blepharoplasty and external levator resection (ELR) for ptosis surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy eyes of 70 patients with dermatochalasis (50 eyes) and acquired aponeurotic ptosis (AAP) (20 eyes) included in this prospective study. Detailed ophthalmologic examination was performed including the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp examination and dilated fundoscopy. Measurements were made before and one month after the surgeries using Pentacam. Central corneal thickness (CCT), pupil center pachymetry (PCP) and thinnest pachymetry (TP), cornea front astigmatism (AST), flat keratometry (K1), steep keratometry (K2) and mean keratometry (Km) values were evaluated. RESULTS: Higher postoperative Km measurements were observed in dermatochalasis (p = 0.038) patients. Postoperative AST values were significantly lower in both dermatochalasis and ptosis cases (p = 0.034, p = 0.003, respectively). Increased PCP and TP were found in the AAP patients (p = 0.014, p = 0.015, respectively). DISCUSSION: UE blepharoplasty and ELR surgeries both lead to some significant changes on corneal structure post-operatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Unilateral Ciliary Madarosis in a Child After Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Infection.

Coronavirus disease 2019 life-threatening signs have aroused a great deal of attention since the beginning of the pandemic. In the initial stages of the pandemic, the pediatric population was mostly protected, and the symptoms in affected children were mild. Here, the authors present a 7-year-old boy with left upper eyelid ciliary madarosis that developed 9 weeks after coronavirus disease 2019 infection. During comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, no conjunctival injection, chemosis, erythema, or crusts on the eyelids and no other meibomian gland disease findings were detected. Comprehensive laboratory workup was performed to exclude any other possible causes of ciliary madarosis. All laboratory parameters tested within normal limits. In addition to the patient's ocular surface and physical examination findings, laboratory results and the timing of the symptoms as well as spontaneous recovery at follow-up visits led the authors to conclude that telogen effluvium was to cause of the isolated, unilateral ciliary madarosis in this case.

The effects of the systemic isotretinoin treatment on ocular surface and meibomian glands: a prospective longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of systemic isotretinoin therapy (SIT) on the ocular surface, meibomian glands (MG) and cornea microstructure in acne vulgaris (AV) patients. METHODS: Patients with AV (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 20) were enrolled in the study. All participants underwent ocular surface tests in the order of ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, corneal sensitivity, tear break-up time (BUT), fluorescein and lissamine green (LG) staining and Schirmer II test with anaesthesia. MG alterations were evaluated with meibography for upper (UE) and lower eyelids (LE) separately. Corneal basal epithelium and subbasal nerve plexus (SNP) were evaluated using In Vivo Confocal Microscopy (IVCM). RESULTS: Schirmer II test with anaesthesia, BUT, corneal sensitivity, fluorescein and LG staining grades and OSDI score results showed no difference between the control group and the baseline of the patient group. Whereas the meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) grades, UE and LE meiboscores were higher in the patient group at the baseline (p = 0.013, p = 0.004, p = 0.008 respectively). The Control group possessed higher numbers of total and long nerve fibres compared with patients at the baseline (p ≤ 0.001 for both two values). Compared to the baseline and the third month, BUT decreased and fluorescein staining grades increased (p = 0.017 and p = 0.043, respectively). MGD grades, UE and LE meiboscores increased in the third month compared to the baseline (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.008 respectively). Basal epithelial cell density (BECD) decreased in the third month of SIT (p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study showed that systemic Isotretinoin treatment effects not only ocular surface parameters but also corneal and Meibomian glands structure. Considering early alterations in the course of treatment, ophthalmological assessment and follow-up during SIT are mandatory.

A young patient with coronary artery anomaly, whose left anterior descending artery originated from the pulmonary artery, underwent cardiac arrest.

A rare congenital anomaly of the coronary arteries, in which the left coronary arterial system starts from the arteria pulmonalis, is known as Bland-White-Garland (BWG) syndrome. Isolated left anterior descending (LAD) or circumflex (Cx) arteries originating from the pulmonary artery are even more rare. These anomalies may cause myocardial ischaemia, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia and sudden death. Even if the patient is asymptomatic, he/she should undergo corrective surgery. Here we present the case of an 18-year-old male who survived sudden cardiac arrest during exercise. We identified intra-myocardial blood flow from transthoracic echocardiography, and performed coronary and computed tomographic (CT) angiography, which showed that all the coronary arteries were ectatic and curly and there were disseminated collaterals among the coronary arteries. We diagnosed 'anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery' (ALCAPA) syndrome, as additionally, the LAD originated from the pulmonary artery. We treated the patient with a left internal mammarian artery - left anterior descending artery (LIMA-LAD) graft.

Relation of hs-CRP and BNP levels with the atrial spontaneous echo contrast and thrombi in permanent atrial fibrillation patients with different etiologies.

BACKGROUND: Thromboembolic risk in permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) is strongly associated with the underlying etiology, and inflammatory parameters may contribute. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship of hs-CRP and BNP levels with left and right atrial appendage (LAA and RAA) function, presence of spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) and thrombus. MATERIAL/METHODS: Eighty-four permanent AF patients with different etiologies (20 mitral stenosis, 44 hypertension and 20 hyperthyroidism) and 23 patients with sinus rhythm were included. LAA and RAA flow velocities were measured by pulsed-wave Doppler and wall motion velocities with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in transesophageal echocardiography. RESULTS: Hs-CRP and BNP levels significantly differed among the 3 AF groups: levels were highest in mitral stenosis patients (8.6 ± 5.3 mg/L and 98.0 ± 125.7 pg/mL, respectively), the lowest hs-CRP was in hyperthyroidism patients (4.3 ± 3.8 mg/L), and the lowest BNP was in hypertensive patients (64.8 ± 44.3 pg/mL). There were also significant differences between the AF group and controls regarding hs-CRP and BNP levels. In the correlation analysis, BNP level was not significantly correlated with LAA and RAA functions, whereas hs-CRP level was significantly correlated with some LAA and RAA functions. On the other hand, hs-CRP level was significantly related to the presence of mild-moderate SEC and thrombi, mainly in mitral stenosis patients. Moreover, hs-CRP was the most important determinant of RAA thrombus formation, followed by RAA ejection fraction. In contrast, no positive or negative correlation was found between BNP levels and RAA and LAA thrombi. CONCLUSIONS: Higher hs-CRP levels in AF patients may be a predictor for the presence of SEC and thrombi in the atria.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Diabetic individuals are at significantly greater risk of developing heart failure (HF) independent from other risk factors such as coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCP) is defined as ventricular dysfunction in the absence of hypertension, coronary artery and valvular heart disease, which increases the risk of HF. Due to better understanding of its pathophysiology and clinical importance, DCP is more frequently recognized in daily practice. The most important mechanisms of DCP are hyperglycemia, insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia, abnormal fatty acid metabolism, increased apoptosis, cardiac autonomic neuropathy and local renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) overactivation. Echocardiography is the most frequently used diagnostic method for the detection of this pathology. Currently, although there is no specific treatment for DCP, strict glycemic and concomitant risk factor controls seems to be the most important target strategy for prevention of the progression and treatment of DCP. In this article, we aim to provide an extensive review on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management of DCP.

Quadricuspid aortic valve visualized by three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography.

Quadricuspid aortic valve is a rare congenital anomaly that may cause aortic regurgitation. A 77-year-old male patient was referred to our clinic with complaints of stable angina pectoris. We report a case of a quadricuspid aortic valve diagnosed by 3-dimentional transthoracic echocardiography.

Association between documented coronary artery disease and urinary albumin, albumin to creatinine ratio.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the amount of urinary albumin concentration (UAC) or urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) is more strongly associated with angiographically documented coronary artery disease (CAD). MATERIAL/METHODS: A total of 199 consecutive patients [11 9(60%) male, 80 (40%) female, mean age =57±10] undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography were included in the study. Significant coronary artery disease was defined as a stenosis equal to or above 50% in the main coronary artery or in one of the other branches. UAC and UACR were calculated from the urine. Baseline clinical parameters, UAC and UACR were compared between subjects with and without CAD. Factors predicting CAD were evaluated by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Baseline clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with and without CAD were not different except for a slightly male predominance in patients with CAD. Patients with CAD had significantly higher UACs and UACRs than patients without CAD (32.14±31.27 mg/day vs. 15.61±16.70 mg/day, p=0.01; 9.11±7.42 mg/g vs. 4.80±3.28 mg/g, p=0.009). A positive correlation was found between Gensini score and UACR (p=0.01), whereas no correlation was found between Gensini and UAC. UACR was the only significant parameter for the presence of CAD in the multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, other well known CAD risk factors, UAC and UACR. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results suggest that UACR is more closely associated with angiography documented CAD than is the level of UAC itself, but UACR maybe more significantly associated with angiography documented CAD than with the levels of UAC.

Triiodothyronine and brain natriuretic peptide: similar long-term prognostic values for chronic heart failure.

Although low levels of free triiodothyronine and high levels of brain natriuretic peptide have been shown as independent predictors of death in chronic heart failure patients, few studies have compared their prognostic values. The aim of this prospective study was to measure free triiodothyronine and brain natriuretic peptide levels and to compare their prognostic values among such patients.A total of 334 patients (mean age, 62 ± 13 yr; 218 men) with ischemic and nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy were included in the study. The primary endpoint was a major cardiac event.During the follow-up period, 92 patients (28%) experienced a major cardiac event. Mean free triiodothyronine levels were lower and median brain natriuretic peptide levels were higher in patients with major cardiac events than in those without. A significant negative correlation was found between free triiodothyronine and brain natriuretic peptide levels. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the predictive cutoff values were < 2.12 pg/mL for free triiodothyronine and > 686 pg/mL for brain natriuretic peptide. Cumulative survival was significantly lower among patients with free triiodothyronine < 2.12 pg/mL and among patients with brain natriuretic peptide > 686 pg/mL. In multivariate analysis, the significant independent predictors of major cardiac events were age, free triiodothyronine, and brain natriuretic peptide.In the present study, free triiodothyronine and brain natriuretic peptide had similar prognostic values for predicting long-term prognosis in chronic heart failure patients. These results also suggested that combining these biomarkers may provide an important risk indicator for patients with heart failure.

Diagnostic value of poor R-wave progression in electrocardiograms for diabetic cardiomyopathy in type 2 diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCMP) is a common complication of diabetes and is associated with increased mortality. It has been suggested that a poor R-wave progression in a resting electrocardiogram (ECG) could be a sign of cardiomyopathy. HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was primarily to analyze the relationship between poor R-wave progression and DCMP, and the effect of poor R-wave progression on cardiac functions in long-term follow-up. METHODS: Seventy type 2 normotensive diabetics (33 female, 37 male; mean age, 52.9 ± 10.4 years) were included in the study. Poor R-wave progression in an ECG was defined as an R wave < 3 mm in V1-3 derivations. The patients were randomized in 2 groups, which were those without (group I, n = 34) and those with poor R-wave progression (group II, n = 36). All patients underwent conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography and were followed in an outpatient clinic setting for 4 years. RESULTS: Demographic variables were similar between the 2 groups. In group II, left ventricular (LV) relaxation abnormality was more prevalent, the Tei index was higher, and in tissue Doppler mitral annulus Em velocities were significantly lower and Am velocities were higher than those with normal R-wave progression. At the end of the 4-year follow-up period, LV ejection fraction was decreased in group II, whereas LV mass index and Tei index were significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: LV diastolic dysfunction is more frequently observed in diabetic patients with poor R-wave progression in ECG, which may be an early sign of LV dysfunction and DCMP in diabetics.

Elevated level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein is important in determining prognosis in chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: While the adverse prognostic impact of a high level of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in coronary artery disease is well known, we lack data about the prognostic importance of hs-CRP in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. The aim was to investigate the relationship between hs-CRP and prognosis in CHF patients. MATERIAL/METHODS: Patients (n=258, 74 females) with CHF of both ischemic and non-ischemic etiology were followed up for a mean period of 17 + or - 13 months. The primary end-point was cardiac mortality. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 71 patients died of cardiac causes. Left ventricular ejection fractions of these patients were lower, but not significantly so (23 + or - 10 vs. 26 + or - 10%, p=0.09). hs-CRP (4.57 + or - 5.35 vs. 1.88 + or - 2.75 mg/dl, p<0.001), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (1621 + or - 1361 vs. 736 + or - 914 pg/ml, p<0.001), and creatinine (1.7 + or - 1.7 vs. 1.2 + or - 0.6 mg/dl, p=0.015) levels were significantly higher in CHF patients with cardiac mortality. Using stepwise multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses, hs-CRP proved to be a significant independent predictor of cardiac death (hazard ratio: 1.1, 95%CI: 1.05-1.15, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: hs-CRP can provide additional prognostic information for the risk stratification of CHF patients. These insights might ultimately also affect the treatment of CHF patients.

Long-term prognosis of non-interventionally followed patients with isolated myocardial bridge and severe systolic compression of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term prognosis of non-interventionally followed patients with myocardial bridge and angiographic milking of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. METHODS: All of the coronary angiography records from May 2000 to November 2007 were reevaluated and patients who had more than 70% narrowing during systole on LAD were eligible for the present study. Follow-up was carried out by physical examination, echocardiography, and treadmill exercise testing. The clinical situations of the patients, medical treatment at the time of follow-up, and experienced events (death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization) were recorded. RESULTS: There were 59 eligible patients (44 male, 74.6%). The mean age of the patients was 54 +/- 11 years. The bridges were located in the proximal, mid, and distal portion of the LAD in 17 (28.8%), 20 (33.9%), and 22 (37.3%) patients, respectively. Distributions of the narrowing degree were as follows: between 70% to 89% in 33 (56%) patients and 90% to 100% in 26 (44%) patients. Mean follow-up duration of the group was 37 +/- 13 months (range 15-65 mo). The clinical presentation during follow-up was stable angina in 9 (15.3%) cases, atypical angina in 12 (20.3%), atypical chest pain in 13 (22%), dyspnea in 3 (5.1%), and syncope in 3 (5.1%) cases. There were no experienced events and/or hospitalizations related to cardiac disease. Echocardiographic examination revealed normal systolic ventricular function. Only 17 (28.8%) patients continued to use medication. Most of them were on beta-blocker therapy. CONCLUSION: Patients with myocardial bridges and angiographic milking of the LAD coronary artery have a good long-term prognosis.

Comparison of the long-term prognostic value of cystatin C to other indicators of renal function, markers of inflammation and systolic dysfunction among patients with acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Emerging evidence indicates the prognostic importance of cystatin C (Cys-C) in patients with coronary artery disease. However, whether Cys-C concentrations are associated with adverse clinical events among patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) have not been studied extensively. We compared the long-term prognostic efficacy of Cys-C with other markers of renal dysfunction, inflammation and systolic dysfunction in patients with ACS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Serum levels of Cys-C, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and creatinine were measured in 160 patients with ACS (112 males, 48 females, mean age 60+/-10 years) on admission. Primary end point of the study was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as the combination of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and recurrent rest angina that required hospitalization within 12 months of follow-up. During the follow-up period, 42 (26%) patients met the MACE criteria. The occurrence of MACE was significantly higher among patients with higher Cys-C levels. In multivariate analysis, Cys-C was the most important parameter associated with the occurrence of MACE (OR=9.62, 95% CI=2.3-40.5, p<0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that the predictive cut-off value of Cys-C for MACE was 1051ng/ml. In the Cox regression analysis adjusted for multiple risk factors, Cys-C was found as the most powerful predictor for MACE (RR=9.43, 95% CI=4.0-21.8, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that admission levels of Cys-C may be a good prognostic indicator of recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with ACS. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.