Ocular, corneal, and internal aberrations in eyes with keratoconus, forme fruste keratoconus, and healthy eyes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate ocular, corneal, and internal aberration parameters in eyes with keratoconus (KC), forme fruste keratoconus (FFKC), and normal eyes. METHOD: In a prospective study, one eye of 110 patients with KC, 60 FFKC patients, and 150 healthy participants was evaluated using OPD-Scan II. Ocular, corneal, and internal higher-order aberrations were measured through a sixth-order Zernike polynomial decomposition. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic ability of the aberration parameters in discriminating KC and FFKC from normal eyes. RESULTS: The root mean square of the all ocular aberration measurements was significantly higher in the KC and FFKC patients than that of normal participants (p < 0.05). All of the corneal aberration measurements were significantly higher in KC patients than those of normal patients (p < 0.05); however, only corneal total higher-order aberration (HOA), vertical and total coma, and higher-order astigmatism were significantly higher in the FFKC patients than normal participants (p < 0.05). The results also showed that internal aberration lower-order astigmatism, total trefoil, and total higher-order spherical aberration were significantly different between KC and normal groups (p < 0.05). In comparison, internal total HOA, lower and higher-order astigmatism, total trefoil, and vertical coma were significantly different between FFKC and normal groups (p < 0.05). Ocular vertical and total coma had the highest ability in discriminating keratoconic from normal eyes. Ocular total higher aberration and total coma had the highest diagnostic ability in discriminating FFKC from normal eyes. The diagnostic ability of internal aberration, on the other hand, was moderate to poor in discriminating KC and FFKC from normal eyes. CONCLUSION: Ocular aberration especially vertical and total coma and total HOA were found to be suitable parameters to discriminate KC and FFKC from normal patients. These two parameters could be used as discriminating factors in evaluating the patient for refractive surgery in an attempt to avoid iatrogenic ectasia.

Distribution of the anterior, posterior, and total corneal astigmatism in healthy eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the magnitude and axis orientation of the anterior, posterior, and total corneal astigmatism in normal healthy eyes of an Iranian population. METHODS: In a prospective cross-sectional study, ophthalmic and anterior segment parameters of 153 healthy eyes of 153 subjects were evaluated by Galilei dual Scheimpflug analyzer. The magnitude and axis orientation [with-the-rule (WTR), against-the-rule (ATR), and oblique] of the anterior, posterior, and total corneal astigmatism measurements (ACA, PCA, and TCA) were compared according to the age, sex, and other ophthalmic parameters. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age of the study population was 30 ± 5.9 years. The mean magnitude was 1.09 ± 0.76 diopters (D) for ACA, 0.30 ± 0.13 D for PCA, and 1.08 ± 0.77 D for TCA. Males had a significantly higher magnitude of PCA than females (p = 0.041). Most eyes had a WTR anterior astigmatism and an ATR posterior astigmatism. The WTR astigmatism had a higher mean magnitude compared to the ATR and oblique astigmatism in all the astigmatism groups, with a significant difference in the ACA and TCA groups (p < 0.05). PCA magnitude exceeded 0.50 D in only 7.8% of the subjects. ACA, PCA, and TCA were significantly correlated with each other and also had a significant correlation with the anterior and posterior maximum corneal elevation measurements (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study although are limited due to the small number of participants and confined to our demographics, provided information regarding a population that was not described before and may be helpful in obtaining optimum results in astigmatism correction in refractive surgery or designing new intraocular lenses.

Prevalence of HIV infection among burn patients: is there a relationship with patients' outcomes?

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among acute burn patients and its impacts on patient's outcomes in an Iranian burn care hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary burn care hospital in Iran, retrospectively reviewing the data records of all patients admitted between February 2011 and February 2012. The HIV status of all the patients was assessed in relation to clinical outcomes and the patient's prognosis. A total of 969 patients were included in this study. Five patients (0·5%) were HIV positive, and all of them were male. Mean burn area was significantly larger in HIV-positive patients than the healthy group (P < 0·05). HIV-positive patients had a longer period of hospitalisation than HIV-negative patients (23·2 ± 16·3 versus 13·1 ± 14·6, P = 0·008). Nonetheless, the average number of procedures and the mortality rate did not significantly differ between the study groups (P > 0·05). Comparison of age, sex and burn extent between HIV-positive patients and HIV-negative cases also revealed similar results. Prevalence of HIV infection among our burn population was 0·5%; thus, HIV status may be related with more extensive injuries and longer hospital stays.

Is keratoconus more severe in pediatric population?

PURPOSE: To compare the ophthalmic parameters and the severity of keratoconus (KC) in pediatrics and adults at the time of initial diagnosis in an Iranian population. METHODS: KC was diagnosed via slit-lamp examination and Pentacam imaging. In a retrospective observational study, consecutive patients were divided into two groups of pediatrics (<18 years old) and adults (>18 years old). Topographic, keratometric, and tomographic parameters, and severity of KC at the time of diagnosis were compared in both groups. Severity of KC was classified according to Amsler-Krumeich classification. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-eight eyes of 158 pediatric patients and 343 eyes of 343 adults with KC were studied. The mean ages of the pediatric and adult patients were 15 ± 1.9 and 22 ± 1.9 years, respectively (p < 0.001). The results revealed that pediatric patients had significantly higher values of anterior and posterior mean, flat and steep keratometry, astigmatism, and maximum elevation and significantly lower central and thinnest corneal thickness (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found regarding sphere, cylinder, manifest refraction spherical equivalent, and uncorrected and best-spectacle corrected visual acuity between the groups (p > 0.05). Pediatric patients had a significantly more severe KC than adult patients according to Amsler-Krumeich classification (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that KC is more severe in pediatrics, hence the fact that they should be closely monitored and intensively treated.

Prevalence of corneal astigmatism before cataract surgery.

The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze the prevalence and pattern of corneal astigmatism in cataract surgery candidates. In a prospective cross-sectional study, preoperative demographics, and keratometric and refractive values of cataract surgery candidates were collected from January 2013 to December 2014. Axial length (AL) and flat and steep keratometry measurements were optically measured by a partial coherence interferometry device (IOLMaster). This study consisted of 2156 eyes of 1317 patients with a mean age of 64.92 ± 11.48 (SD) (30-88 years). The mean of AL was 23.33 ± 1.37 mm, and the mean of corneal astigmatism was 1.12 ± 1.10 diopter (D) (range 0.0-7.00), in all patients. Furthermore, the mean of flat and steep keratometry were 43.70 ± 1.70 and 44.83 ± 1.79 D, respectively. Corneal astigmatism was 1.50 D or less in 1590 eyes (73.7 %), more than 1.50 D in 566 eyes (26.2 %), 3.00 D or more in 161 eyes (7.4 %), WTR in 796 eyes (36.9 %), ATR in 1010 eyes (46.8 %), and oblique in 350 eyes (16.2 %). ATR astigmatism axis significantly increased with the increase in age. Corneal astigmatism of most cataract surgery candidates fell between 0.50 and 1.50 D. The results of our study however is confined to our demographics might provide useful data for cataract patients, surgeons, and intraocular lens manufacturers for different purposes.

Risk factors for the development of complicated appendicitis in adults.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the patient's history and physical examination information to find out risk factors associated with complicated appendicitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred patients who were admitted with complicated appendicitis (including abscess, phlegmon, and generalized peritonitis) were retrieved from our database. Two hundred patients with non-complicated acute appendicitis were randomly selected from the same period. These two groups were compared in terms of demographic characteristics, past medical history, and presenting symptoms. We made a multivariate analysis model using binary logistic regression and backward stepwise elimination. RESULTS: Based on multivariate analysis, risk factors for complicated appendicitis included presenting with epigastric pain (OR=3.44), diarrhea (OR=23.4) or malaise (OR=49.7), history of RLQ pain within the past 6 months (OR=4.93), older age (OR=1.04), being married (OR=2.52), lack of anorexia (OR=4.63) and longer interval between onset of symptoms and admission (OR=1.46). Conversely, higher (academic) education was associated with decreased odds for complicated appendicitis (OR=0.26). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that a surgeon's clinical assessment is more reliable to make a judgment. "Bedside evaluation" is a useful, cheap, quick and readily available method for identifying those at risk for developing complicated acute appendicitis.

Distribution of ABO and Rh Blood Groups in Patients With Keratoconus: A Case-Control Study.

UNLABELLED: Association of keratoconus (KC) with genetic predisposition and environmental factors has been well documented. However, no single study has investigated the possible relationship between ABO and Rh blood groups and KC. METHODS: A case-control study was designed in a university hospital enrolling 214 patients with KC in the case group and equal number of age- and sex-matched healthy subjects in the control group. Primary characteristics, ABO blood group, and Rh factors were compared between the two groups. Topographic findings of KC eyes and the severity of the diseases were investigated according to the distribution of the blood groups. RESULTS: Blood group O and Rh(+) phenotype were most frequent in both groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of ABO blood groups or Rh factors. Mean keratometery (K), central corneal thickness, thinnest corneal thickness, flat K, steep K, sphere and cylinder, spherical equivalent, and uncorrected visual acuity were all similar between ABO blood groups and Rh(+) and Rh(-) groups. However, the best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) had the highest value in AB blood group (0.35 ± 0.22 logMAR, P=0.005). Moreover, the blood group AB revealed the highest frequency for grade 3 KC, followed by grades 1, 2, and 4 (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: We observed no significant excess of any particular blood group among KC cases compared with healthy subjects. Except BCVA, none of the keratometric or topographic findings was significantly different between blood groups.

Clinicopathologic review of non-myxoma cardiac tumors: a 10-year single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE: To report the prevalence, clinical presentation and histological characteristics of non-myxoma cardiac tumors in a major tertiary heart center. METHOD: Review of the medical profiles of 36,930 patients admitted to our hospital between 2003 and 2013 yielded a total of 86 cases of cardiac tumors (63 cases of myxomas and 23 cases of non-myxoma tumors). Clinical presentations and histological features were presented exclusively for primary and secondary tumors. RESULTS: Of 23 enrolled patients with non-myxoma tumors, 5 had primary tumors and 18 had secondary or metastatic tumors. The most frequent origins of the secondary tumors were breast cancer, lymphoma, leukemia and lung cancer. Most secondary tumors had pericardial involvement, and only one tumor involved the left atrium. Sarcomas, including spindle-cell sarcoma and liposarcoma, comprised the majority of the primary malignant tumors. None of these tumors had pericardial involvement, and, except for one case, all were confined to the left side of the heart. All patients were symptomatic on admission, with dyspnea being the most frequent presenting symptom. CONCLUSION: Metastatic cardiac tumors were more prevalent than the primary ones, with fibromas constituting the largest proportion of the primary tumors and breast cancer being the prevalent cause of metastasis.

Aortic root replacement using a modified composite valve graft.

OBJECTIVES: We used a modified technique of a composite graft by moving the valve prosthesis away from the end into the inside of the tube and compared the effectiveness of this surgical method with the standard valved conduits. METHODS: Through a prospective nonrandomized clinical study between March 2011 and June 2012, we performed replacement of the aortic valve and ascending aorta in 30 consecutive patients using a valved composite graft with a mechanical valve prosthesis. A modified self-assembled valved composite graft was employed in 20 patients (Modified group), while the remaining 10 patients received the standard composite graft (Control group). RESULTS: There was significantly less bleeding in the patients with modified grafts (184 vs. 415 mL, p < 0.05). Moreover, the mean transvalvular gradient of the composite graft patients was lower in the modified group than in the control group (9 vs. 14 mmHg, respectively, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The modified valve composite graft technique results in good hemodynamics and appears to limit blood loss.

Efficacy of papillary muscle approximation in preventing functional mitral regurgitation recurrence in high-risk patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and mitral regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is often complicated by the appearance of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). Although mitral ring annuloplasty (MAP) is the most widely used surgical procedure for the surgical treatment of FMR, there are still reports of patients who suffer recurrent FMR at later follow-ups. We sought to investigate the efficacy of papillary muscle approximation (PMA) combined with MAP in preventing the recurrence of FMR in high-risk patients. METHODS: One hundred patients with ischaemic (74%) or non-ischaemic (26%) DCM along with severe (4+/4+) or moderately severe (3+/4+) FMR were enrolled in this prospective, cross-sectional study. According to the interpapillary muscle distance (iPMD) and coaptation depth (CD), the patients were risk stratified as low (iPMD + CD 30 mm, n= 69) and high-risk (iPMD + CD > 30 mm, n= 31) groups. The low-risk patients underwent only MAP, whereas the high-risk patients underwent MAP plus PMA. RESULTS: After a mean +/- SD follow-up of 40.8 +/- 12.5 months, recurrence of 3+ to 4+ MR was observed in 8 (8.7%) and 7 (11.1%) patients in the annuloplasty group (MAP-only) and one (3.4%) patient in the combination group (MAP plus PMA) (P= 0.428). At the final follow-up, the New York Heart Association (NYHA) function class was 1.57 +/- 0.62 in the annuloplasty group and 1.45 +/- 0.57 in the combination group; there was no significant difference in NYHA function class between the first and final follow-ups (P> 0.05). CONCLUSION: iPMD is a valuable index in the riskstratification of the recurrence of post-MAP MR in patients with DCM complicated by FMR.The patients treated with MAP plus PMA had more favourable outcomes and lower recurrence rates than those treated via the traditional route of MAP only.

Association between angiographically assessed coronary artery disease and serum levels of prostate specific antigen.

BACKGROUND: The increased incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with conventional cardiovascular risk factors cannot be fully explained by the known risk factors. The aim of the study was to test whether there is an association between the levels of serum total PSA with the presence of CAD and its severity. METHODS: The study population consisted of 151 male patients aged < 55 years admitted at our center for elective coronary angiography. Patients having angiographic evidence of atherosclerosis (Gensini score > 6) in their epicardial coronary tree were categorized as having coronary artery disease (CAD(+) case group). Patients with Gensini score < or = 6 classified as having normal coronary arteries (CAD(-) control group). The presence and severity of CAD was determined by vessel score and Gensini score. The PSA levels were measured by the electrochemoluminescence (ECLIA) method. RESULTS: The mean level of serum PSA was found to be significantly higher in CAD patients than in those without CAD. In a multivariable logistic regression model, after adjusting for covariates, PSA level remained as an independent predictor for CAD occurrence (OR = 2.79; 95% CI: 1.04 - 7.49; p = 0.042). No significant correlation was found between the serum PSA level and the severity of CAD (r = 0.127, p = 0.122) or between PSA level and hsCRP level (r = 0.088, p = 0.282). CONCLUSIONS: It appears that PSA level is significantly associated with the presence of CAD. Further studies with larger sample size are required to confirm this result.

Cardiac injury following blunt chest trauma: diagnosis, management, and uncertainty.

Due to the evolving nature of injuries caused by high-speed motor vehicle accidents, the incidence rate of blunt chest trauma is continuously increasing. Blunt cardiac injury (BCI) is a potentially lethal entity as a result of trauma to the chest. Due to its indistinct clinical presentation and heterogeneous definition, BCI might be missed during the initial survey of trauma patients in the acute care setting. Additionally, unnecessary operation in hemodynamically stable patients in whom the extent of cardiac injury has not been thoroughly evaluated might result in adverse clinical outcome. Due to ongoing advances in the diagnostic modalities and minimally invasive procedures in the acute care and trauma setting, patients with blunt trauma to the chest, who are also suspected of having a BCI, can be monitored with more confidence and managed accordingly as the clinical scenario evolves. While low-yield diagnostics such as chest X ray, electrocardiogram, and a bedside ultrasonography are still routinely performed in patients with suspected BCI, high-yield modalities such as computed tomography, highly sensitive cardiac biomarkers, and transesophageal echocardiography are all a next step in the management approach. In either case, the clinical judgment of the medical team plays a pivotal role in transition to the next step with adequate resuscitation remaining an inevitable part.

Recurrent coronavirus diseases 19 (COVID-19): A different presentation from the first episode.

A 31-year-old Caucasian male developed reinfection with SARS-CoV-2, 2 ½ months after an initial episode of ICU admission for respiratory support due to COVID-19. The second episode was in the form of malaise, aphthous gingival ulcer, and desquamating palmar lesion.

Intrathoracic gastric fistula after bariatric surgery: a systematic review and pooled analysis.

Even in the hands of highly experienced bariatric surgeons, perioperative complications are inevitable. Of these, leaks and fistulas are amongst the scariest complications. Intrathoracic gastric fistulas (ITGF) can be associated with serious morbidity, mostly when cases are misdiagnosed or detected with delay. This is a systematic review of the literature to investigate the clinical and surgical outcomes of morbidly obese adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of ITGF following bariatric surgery. A pooled analysis of 25 articles, encompassing 76 patients with post-bariatric ITGF, showed that the clinical outcome depends on the initial presentation, timing of the diagnosis in relation to symptom onset, and prompt and effective treatment. Any septic or unstable patient must undergo urgent surgical intervention, while stable patients might tolerate a step-up approach and watchful waiting for nonsurgical treatment. Among those who undergo surgery, treatment failure and the mortality rate are substantially high. Contingent upon a prompt management strategy, patients with postbariatric ITGF can generally have a favorable outcome in the long term.

Meta-analysis of Cardiovascular Events and Related Biomarkers Comparing Survivors Versus Non-survivors in Patients With COVID-19.

Since the emergence of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), a number of studies have reported the presence of cardiovascular diseases in affected patients and linked them with a higher risk of mortality. We conducted an online search in Medline/PubMed to identify original cohorts comparing data between survivors and non-survivors from COVID-19. The presence of cardiovascular events and related biomarkers were compared between the 2 groups. Data on 1,845 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were pooled from 12 comparative studies. The overall mortality rate in relation to COVID-19 was 17.6%. Men aged > 50 years old were more likely to die from COVID-19. Significant co-morbidities contributing to mortality were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, a previous history of cardiovascular disease including chronic heart failure, and cerebrovascular accidents. A significant relationship was observed between mortality and patient presentation with dyspnea, fatigue, tachycardia, and hypoxemia. Cardiovascular disease-related laboratory biomarkers related to mortality were elevated serum level of lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, brain natriuretic peptide, and cardiac troponin I. Adverse cardiovascular disease-related clinical events preceding death were shock, arrhythmias, and acute myocardial injury. In conclusion, severe clinical presentation and elevated biomarkers in COVID-19 patients with established risk factors can predict mortality from cardiovascular causes.

A Late COVID-19 Complication: Male Sexual Dysfunction.

Since the beginning of the coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, an exponentially large amount of data has been published to describe the pathology, clinical presentations, and outcomes in patients infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome novel coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although COVID-19 has been shown to cause a systemic inflammation predisposing the involvement of multiple organs, its mechanism affecting the urogenital system has not been well-documented. This case report presents the clinical course of two male patients with COVID-19 who developed sexual dysfunction, as anorgasmia, following recovery from the infection. Although no evidence of viral replication or inflammatory involvement could be identified in these cases' urogenital organs, a lack of other known risk factors for anorgasmia points to the role of COVID-19 as the contributing factor.

Effect of pre-existing left bundle branch block on post-procedural outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a meta-analysis of comparative studies.

BACKGROUND: As an established procedure for patients with aortic valve stenosis and a high surgical risk profile, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) can be associated with conductance abnormalities. However, data regarding the impact of pre-existing left bundle branch block (LBBB) on post-TAVR outcome is scarce. OBJECTIVES: We conducted this meta-analysis to pool available data in the literature on the impact of pre-existing LBBB on the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing TAVR. METHODS: We queried Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library to identify comparative studies of patients with and without a pre-existing LBBB undergoing TAVR for aortic stenosis. Risk ratio (RR) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were estimated to measure the effect of pre-existing LBBB on developing post-procedure stroke, permanent pacemaker implantation (PPM), or moderate/severe aortic regurgitation (AR). RESULTS: Data of three clinical trials encompassing 4,668 patients undergoing TAVR were included in this meta-analysis. Patients with pre-existing LBBB prior to TAVR had an increased risk of developing moderate/severe AR (RR = 1.04 [0.79-1.37]; P = 0.77), stroke (RR = 1.72 [0.61-4.85]; P = 0.31), and a need for PPM implantation (RR = 4.43 [0.43-45.64]; P = 0.21) following TAVR. CONCLUSION: Preexisting LBBB seems to increase the risk of developing stroke, aortic regurgitation, and the need for a permanent pacemaker implantation. However, due to scarcity of data and high heterogeneity among the current studies, further clinical trials are warranted.

Night eating syndrome: a psychiatric disease, a sleep disorder, a delayed circadian eating rhythm, and/or a metabolic condition?

Introduction: Night Eating Syndrome (NES) refers to an abnormal eating behavior which presents as evening hyperphagia consuming >25% calorie intake and/or nocturnal awaking with food ingestion which occurs ≥2 times per week. Although the syndrome has been described more than seven decades ago, the literature has been growing slowly on its etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Areas covered: The proposed treatment options for NES are all at a case-study level. Moreover, our understanding of its etiology, comorbidities, and diagnosis is still premature. We performed a literature review in Medline/PubMed to identify all the studies proposing a management plan for NES and summarized all the existing data on its diagnosis and treatment. Expert opinion: To date, none of the proposed treatment options for NES have been promising and long-term data on its efficacy is lacking. The slow growth of evidence on this debilitating but underreported condition may be due to unawareness among clinicians, under-reporting by patients, and unrecognized diagnostic criteria. Objective screening of symptoms during office visits especially for patients at a high-risk for NES will identify more patients suffering from the syndrome.