Evaluation of ganglion cell complex and retinal nerve fiber layer thinning in epilepsy patients

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the perimacular ganglion cell complex (GCC) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements of epileptic and healthy individuals. Methods: The right eyes of 38 epileptic and 38 healthy individuals who had been using antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for at least 1 year were included in the study. Central macular thickness, perimacular GCC thickness and volume, and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layers were measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) device. Perimacular 1, 3, and 6 mm circle diameters of Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) were selected for GCC measurements. Results: In epilepsy patients, GCC was significantly lower in the 3 mm superior quadrant and 6 mm in all quadrants compared to the control group (P < 0.05). RNFL was significantly thinner in epilepsy patients only in the temporal?inferior quadrant (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the patients who received AEDs as monotherapy and polytherapy (P > 0.05). Conclusion: We found that epilepsy patients had significant thinning in the GCC layers and temporal?inferior quadrant of RNFL compared to the control group. Our findings from the study show that early retinal changes in epilepsy patients, especially perimacular GCC layers, can be followed up with OCT.

Association between fragmented QRS and postprocedural rhythm disturbances in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION: According to recent studies, the rate of atrioventricular block requiring permanent pacing in patients following transcatheter aortic valve implantation varied between 5.7% and 42.5%. Fragmented QRS is a useful marker of myocardial scar and can predict adverse cardiac events. In this study, we examined association between f ragmented QRS and postprocedural rhythm disturbances and the need for permanent pacing in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we examined association between fragmented QRS and postprocedural rhythm disturbances and the need for permanent pacing in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation' sentence is enough for it. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed standard 12-lead electrocardiographic recordings of 124 consecutive patients in whom a CoreValve prosthesis was implanted. We examined 12-lead electrocardiogram before and after procedure along with one- and six-month follow-up. We documented QRS fragmentation and postprocedural rhythm disturbances. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the frequency of left bundle branch block, (21.1 versus 0%, p<0.05) and the incidence of atrioventricular blocks requiring permanent pacing (21.1 versus 0%, p<0.05) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients whose preprocedural electrocardiogram recordings revealed fragmented QRS compared to those without fragmented QRS. Based our collected data, the presence of QRS fragmentation in anterior derivations was the only independent factor associated with postprocedural rhythm disturbances (B-value 0.217; OR 0.805; 95%CI 0.136-4.78; p=0.004). CONCLUSION: Our data showed an increased risk for the development of new-onset left bundle branch block and atrioventricular blocks following transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients whose baseline electrocardiogram recordings demonstrated QRS fragmentation.

Association between SYNTAX II Score and late saphenous vein graft failure in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is a well-established treatment modality for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). Syntax II Score has been established as novel scoring system with better prediction of postprocedural outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of SYNTAX II Score for predicting late saphenous vein graft (SVG) failure in patients undergoing isolated CABG. METHODS: The records of 1,875 consecutive patients who underwent isolated CABG with at least one SVG were investigated. Those who underwent coronary angiography and SVGs angiography at least 1 year after the CABG were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of SVG failure. For each group, predictors of late SVG failure and subsequent clinical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: According to this study, the presence of hypertension, higher rates of repeat revascularization, and higher SYNTAX II Scores were found to be independent predictors of late SVG failure. In addition, the prognostic value of SYNTAX II Score was found to be significantly higher than anatomical SYNTAX Score in terms of predicting late SVG failure and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event. CONCLUSIONS: There was a strong association between SYNTAX II Score and late SVG failure in patients undergoing isolated CABG.

Surgical management of intraocular lens dislocations / Tratamento cirúrgico dos deslocamentos de lentes intraoculares

ABSTRACTPurpose:To report and compare the surgical, visual, and anatomical outcomes following treatment of dislocated intraocular lenses (IOLs).Methods:The medical records of 28 eyes of 28 patients were evaluated. Age, gender, pre-and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), surgical methods, and complications were recorded.Results:Pre-and postoperative BCVA ranged from counting fingers to 20/32 and from counting fingers to 20/25, respectively. Late-onset dislocations were the most frequently observed complication. The most frequent surgical method was IOL repositioning in 15 of 28 patients, followed by IOL exchange in 11 patients, and IOL removal in 2 patients. Only 1 patient required surgical re-intervention with IOL capture.Conclusions:Visual acuity improved following the use of either IOL repositioning or IOL exchange. No superiority of one method over the other was observed. In the present retrospective case series, management of dislocated IOLs with repositioning or exchange of the primary implant conferred comparable surgical and visual outcomes.

RESUMOObjetivo:Relatar e comparar as abordagens cirúrgicas e os resultados visuais e anatômicos no tratamento de lentes intraoculares (IOL) deslocadas.Métodos:Foram avaliados os registros médicos de 28 olhos de 28 pacientes. Idade, sexo, melhor acuidade visual corrigida pré e pós-operatória, abordagens cirúrgicas e complicações foram registrados.Resultados:Melhor acuidade visual corrigida pré e pós-operatória variou de conta dedos a 20/32 e de conta dedos a 20/25, respectivamente. Os deslocamentos tardios foram os mais frequentemente encontrados. A cirurgia mais frequente foi o reposicionamento da IOL em 15 dos 28 pacientes, em seguida, o troca da IOL em 11 pacientes, e a remoção da IOL em dois pacientes. Apenas um caso de necessitou de reintervenção devido à captura da IOL.Conclusões:A acuidade visual melhorou em ambas as abordagens, reposicionamento e troca de IOL. Não houve superioridade de um método sobre o outro. Na presente série de casos retrospectiva, o tratamento do deslocamento de IOL com reposição ou troca do implante primário gerou resultados cirúrgicos e visuais comparáveis.

Increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts persistent coronary no-flow after wire insertion in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVES: Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients presenting persistent no-flow after wire insertion have a lower survival rate despite successful mechanical intervention. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio has been associated with increased mortality and worse clinical outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. We hypothesized that an elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio would also be associated with a persistent Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade of 0 after wire insertion in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: A total of 644 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention within 12 hours of symptom onset were included in our study. Blood samples were drawn immediately upon hospital admission. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade: Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 0 after wire insertion, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 1-3 after wire insertion and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 1-3 at baseline. RESULTS: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in the group with Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 0 after wire insertion compared with the group with Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 1-3 after wire insertion and the group with Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 1-3 at baseline. The group with Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 0 after wire insertion also had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality rate. Persistent coronary no-flow after wire insertion was independently associated with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. CONCLUSIONS: An increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on admission is significantly associated with persistent coronary no-flow after wire insertion in patients with ST-segment ...

Effect of maintenance hemodialysis on diastolic left ventricular function in end-stage renal disease

PURPOSE: To analyze the effect of maintenance hemodialysis on left ventricular diastolic function in patients with end-stage renal disease. METHODS: Study population consisted of 42 patients with end-stage renal disease. Before an arteriovenous fistula was surgically created, the patients were evaluated by conventional and Doppler echocardiography and Doppler tissue imaging. Then, the patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment when the arteriovenous fistula was compleated. After the first hemodialysis session (mean 76.14 ± 11.37 days) the second echocardiographic evaluations were performed. RESULTS: Mean age was 58 ± 13 years and 21 ( percent50) of the patients were female. After maintenance hemodialysis treatment; peak early (E) and peak late (A) diastolic mitral inflow velocities and E/A ratio were not significantly change however the deceleration time of E wave and left atrial diameter were significantly increased. Also there was no change in the early (Em) and late (Am) diastolic myocardial velocities and Em/Am ratios of lateral and septal walls of left ventricular. E/Em ratio was decreased insignificantly. Pulmonary vein velocities and right ventricular functions are remained almost unchanged after hemodialysis treatment. DISCUSSION: The acute and long-term effect of hemodialysis on left ventricular diastolic function is unclearly. Patients with end-stage renal disease treatment with hemodialysis via arteriovenous fistula experience a variety of hemodynamic and metabolic abnormalities that predispose to alterations in left and right ventricular functions. The present study showed that left ventricular diastolic function except left atrial diameter and right ventricular functions were not significantly change, however left ventricular systolic functions were impaired after maintenance hemodialysis treatment in patients with end-stage renal disease. CONCLUSION: It has been suggested that echocardiographic parameters are useful markers for evaluation of left ventricular and right ventricular functions in patients with end-stage renal disease. However, in patients with endstage renal disease treated with hemodialysis, repeated assessment of echocardiographic examinations to observe serial changes in left and right ventricular functions are not yet well established. In this study, we showed that acute changes of volume status and electrolytes and autonomic regulation by hemodialysis session did not affect left ventricular diastolic and right ventricular functions in a relatively long term.

Utilization of both benthic macroinvertebrates and physicochemical parameters for evaluating water quality of the stream Cekerek (Tokat, Turkey).

This study examines the applicability of five European biotic indices and the Gammarus:Asellus ratio (G:A), compared with the measurement of physicochemical parameters, in order to determine the water quality at ten sites along the Tokat part of Cekerek stream, in Anatolia, Turkey, during the period February 2002 to January 2003. The biological and chemical results are in good agreement with respect to the water quality. In particular, the G:A ratio was calculated to be high at the first three stations and this result was correlated with the ETBI and the Chandler scores. Consequently, the water quality of Cekerek stream was classified as class I for biological and physicochemical data, except for phosphate, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate and nitrite at the last seven stations. The high concentrations of these chemicals probably result from agricultural runoff and urban sewage. In total, 55 taxa of benthic macroinvertebrates were identified from the Cekerek stream during this study period.