Vascular Occlusion In Patients Research Articles

Moyamoya Disease Increased the Risk of Retinal Vascular Occlusion: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Korea

PurposeTo investigate the risk of retinal vascular occlusion in patients with Moyamoya disease (MMD). DesignRetrospective, longitudinal cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. ParticipantsNewly diagnosed MMD patients (n=34,627), who were diagnosed between 2004 and 2022, and their propensity score matched controls (n=136,945) were included. MethodsWe identified retinal vascular occlusion events using diagnostic codes for central retinal artery occlusion, other retinal artery occlusion, and retinal vein occlusion. After a washout-period from 2002 to 2003, information on the diagnosis of retinal vascular occlusion was extracted in both MMD and control group during the follow up period. The association between MMD and the risk of subsequent retinal vascular occlusion was investigated using a time-dependent Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank test adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidities. Main Outcome MeasuresHazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for retinal vascular occlusion development according to the MMD. ResultsMMD was associated with an increased risk of subsequent retinal vascular occlusion even after adjusting for confounding variables (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.09–1.36). Among the subtypes of retinal vascular occlusion, central retinal artery occlusion showed a highest HR (2.23; 95% CI, 1.35-3.7). Incidence probability of retinal vascular occlusion was significantly higher among MMD patients than controls (P < 0.001, log-rank test). ConclusionIn this nationwide population-based cohort study, patients with MMD in Korea had an elevated risk of retinal vascular occlusion, suggesting that the MMD is one of the risk factors for retinal vascular occlusion.

Increased risks of retinal vascular occlusion in patients with migraine and the protective effects of migraine treatment: a population-based retrospective cohort study

Associations between migraine and retinal vascular occlusion have been reported, but there is no large-scale and comprehensive study. Therefore, we aimed to determine risks of retinal vascular occlusion in patients with migraine. Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database from 2009 to 2020, we enrolled 628,760 patients with migraine and 628,760 matched individuals without migraine. Study outcomes were diagnoses of retinal vascular occlusion, including retinal artery occlusion (RAO) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of retinal vascular occlusion related to migraine was estimated. The cumulative incidences of subsequent retinal vascular occlusion, RAO, and RVO were significantly higher in migraine patients compared with controls (0.31% vs. 0.21%; 0.09% vs. 0.05%; 0.22% vs. 0.17%; all p < 0.001). The hazards of retinal vascular occlusion, RAO, and RVO were significantly greater in the migraine group (aHR, 1.69 [95% CI, 1.57, 1.83], 2.13 [95% CI, 1.84, 2.48] and 1.53 [95% CI, 1.40, 1.68], respectively). Risks of retinal vascular occlusion were significantly higher in migraine both with aura (MA) and without aura (MO) (aHR, 1.77 [95% CI, 1.58, 1.98], and 1.92 [95% CI, 1.64, 2.25]). Among patients with migraine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, propranolol, and flunarizine significantly reduce their risks of retinal vascular occlusion (aHR, 0.19 [95% CI, 0.16, 0.22], 0.73 [95% CI, 0.62, 0.86], 0.84 [95% CI, 0.76, 0.93]). Migraine, MA and MO are independently associated with higher risks of retinal vascular occlusion, RAO, and RVO.

Retrospective Cohort Study of Sickle Cell Disease and Large Vessel Retinal Vascular Occlusion Risk in a National United States Database

To determine if differences exist in the risk of developing large vessel retinal vascular occlusions in patients with sickle cell states. Retrospective cohort study. Patients with sickle cell disease or trait evaluated by an ophthalmologist were compared to matched controls without sickle cell disease or trait also evaluated by an ophthalmologist. This study used deidentified data from a national database (2006-2024), using International Classification of Diseases 10 codes to select for retinal vascular occlusions. Propensity score matching was performed with respect to age, sex, race, ethnicity, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemias, and obesity, resulting in HbSS, HbSC, and sickle cell trait (SCT) cohorts and matched control cohorts. Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of retinal vascular occlusion diagnosis, including central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO), central retinal venous occlusion (CRVO), branch retinal venous occlusion (BRVO), and corneal dystrophy as a negative control, given sickle cell disease or trait. After propensity score matching, HbSS (n=10,802, mean ± standard deviation age of 38.6 ± 20.6 years), HbSC (n=4,296, 34.3 ± 17.8 years), and SCT (n=15,249, 39.8 ± 23.7 years) cohorts were compared to control cohorts (n=10,802, 38.7 ± 20.7 years; n=4,296, 34.6 ± 18.0 years; n=15,249, 39.9 ± 23.8 years, respectively). Patients with sickle cell disease (HbSS) had higher risk of developing any retinal vascular occlusion (RR 2.33; 95% CI 1.82-3.00), CRAO (RR 2.71; 95% CI 1.65-4.47) and BRAO (RR 4.90; 95% CI 2.48-9.67) than matched controls. Patients with HbSC disease had higher risk (RR 3.14; 95% CI 1.95-5.06) of developing any retinal vascular occlusion than matched controls without sickle cell disease. Patients with sickle cell trait did not have higher risk of developing retinal vascular occlusions (RR 1.01; 95% CI 0.81-1.26) than matched controls. In a retrospective cohort study, patients with HbSS sickle cell disease have an increased risk of developing retinal vascular occlusions, and more specifically CRAO and BRAO compared to patients without sickle cell disease.

АНАЛИЗ АГРЕГАЦИИ ТРОМБОЦИТОВ У ПАЦИЕНТОВ С СИНДРОМОМ ДИАБЕТИЧЕСКОЙ СТОПЫ

Purpose. To analyze the aggregation function of platelets in patients with diabetic foot syndrome (DFS). Material and methods. Prospective clinical trial in which 31 patients participated have been conducted by us. To achieve this purpose, 2 groups have been formed: group 1 – patients with no history of diabetes (n=17); group 2 – patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 complicated by DFS (n=14). The studying of platelet aggregation was carried out once for first days after the admission of patients to the general somatic health care units, turbidimetric count method with an inductor: adenosine diphosphate (ADP) (concentrations of 0.3 mcg/ml, 0.6 mcg/ml, 1.25 mcg/ml and 2.5 mcg/ml were used), adrenaline (concentrations of 2.5 microns and 5.0 microns were used), collagen – 2 mg/ml. Results. In group 2 patients, the average platelet aggregation time, as well as in group 1, was lower than the reference values with an ADP inducer at a dose of 0.6 mcg/ml, 1.25 and 2.5 mcg/ml, and higher with adrenaline at a dose of 2.5 microns and with adrenaline at a dose of 5.0 microns. The degree of aggregation was lower than normal when used with all inducers except ADP 0.3 mcg/ml (normal), and the average platelet aggregation rate was lower with adrenaline. With the other inducers, platelet aggregation parameters were within the reference values. When adding inducers with all platelet aggregation parameters, significant differences were obtained between the two groups (p&lt;0.05), and only when using ADP at doses of 0.6 mcg/ml, 1.25 mcg/ml and 2.5 mcg/ml, no significant differences were obtained for the aggregation rate parameter (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion. In patients with DFS, compared with the people without diabetes mellitus type 2, the lowest degree of aggregation is noted with the use of ADP and adrenaline, the aggregation time is less with ADP, the aggregation rate is less with adrenaline and collagen 2 mg /ml. The degree of aggregation has increased with the use of collagen, and the aggregation time with adrenaline and collagen. The studying of platelet function is an important link in the laboratory control of spontaneous aggregation, which will limit the appearance of new vascular occlusions in patients with DFS.

Retinal vascular occlusions in COVID-19 infection and vaccination: a literature review.

Abnormal hypercoagulability and increased thromboembolic risk are common in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). COVID-19 has been suggested to cause retinal vascular damage, with several studies on COVID-19 patients with retinal vascular occlusions. We reviewed and investigated studies on retinal vascular occlusions in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and in those vaccinated for COVID-19. Studies that reported retinal vascular occlusion in COVID-19 patients or in vaccinated people were identified using the terms "retinal occlusion," together with "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2", "SARS-CoV-2," "COVID-19," "coronavirus," and "vaccine," through systematic searches of PubMed and Google Scholar databases until January 7, 2022. Thirteen cases of retinal artery occlusion (RAO) and 14 cases of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) were identified among patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Half of the patients with RAO or RVO revealed no systemic disorders except current or past COVID-19, and ocular symptoms were the initial presentation in five cases. Among patients with RAO, most presented with central RAO at 1-14days of COVID-19 diagnosis, with abnormal coagulation and inflammatory markers. Among those with RVO, two-thirds presented with central RVO and one-third with RVO. Eleven cases with acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) and/or paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM) were reported among patients with COVID-19, presenting scotoma resolved spontaneously in most cases. Among the 26 cases vaccinated with either mRNA or adenoviral vector vaccines for COVID-19 and presenting retinal vascular occlusions, there were more RVO cases than RAO cases, and ocular symptoms mostly occurred within 3weeks after vaccination. One case presented bilateral AMN and PAMM after COVID-19 vaccination. Retinal vascular occlusions might be a manifestation of COVID-19, although rare, especially in patients at risk of systemic hypercoagulability and thromboembolism. For COVID-19 vaccines, the causal relationship is controversial because there are few case reports of retinal vascular occlusions after COVID-19 vaccination.

A Pleomorphic Puzzle: Heterogeneous Pulmonary Vascular Occlusions in Patients with COVID-19

Vascular occlusions in patients with coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) have been frequently reported in severe outcomes mainly due to a dysregulation of neutrophils mediating neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. Lung specimens from patients with COVID-19 have previously shown a dynamic morphology, categorized into three types of pleomorphic occurrence based on histological findings in this study. These vascular occlusions in lung specimens were also detected using native endogenous fluorescence or NEF in a label-free method. The three types of vascular occlusions exhibit morphology of DNA rich neutrophil elastase (NE) poor (type I), NE rich DNA poor (type II), and DNA and NE rich (type III) cohort of eleven patients with six males and five females. Age and gender have been presented in this study as influencing variables linking the occurrence of several occlusions with pleomorphic contents within a patient specimen and amongst them. This study reports the categorization of pleomorphic occlusions in patients with COVID-19 and the detection of these occlusions in a label-free method utilizing NEF.

Retinal vascular occlusion in patients with the Covid-19 virus

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome with dyspnea, anosmia, fever, and cough. Few studies describing ocular findings have been reported. The current case series, reports the clinical findings and natural history of patients with retinal vascular occlusion after COVID-19 infection.Case presentationsPatients from multiple Brazilian hospitals who had clinical and laboratory diagnoses of COVID-19 with retinal vein or arterial occlusion were analyzed retrospectively. The baseline demographics, clinical presentations of COVID-19, comorbidities, risk factors for thromboembolic events, and use of anticoagulant drugs were reviewed. The relevant clinical findings associated with the retinal vascular occlusive event, management, and outcomes were reported. Fourteen cases of retinal vascular occlusion within 3 months of the laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infection were identified. Three of which required hospitalization for COVID-19 management. Eight cases had central retinal vein occlusion, three branch retinal vein occlusion, one hemispheric retinal vein occlusion, and two central arterial occlusion. The mean patient age at presentation was 48 years; the visual acuity ranged from light perception to 20/20. Nine patients received intravitreal injections of anti-angiogenic drugs and one received ketorolac tromethamine drops for the management of secondary macular edema; four were untreated.ConclusionsCOVID-19 patients may rarely have ocular manifestations of the disease. It was presented a case series of vascular occlusion events that may be related to COVID-19 infection, since these thrombotic events are actively involved in the disease pathophysiology. These cases emphasize the need for further investigation of ocular complications associated with this disease.

Automated detection of arterial landmarks and vascular occlusions in patients with acute stroke receiving digital subtraction angiography using deep learning

BackgroundDigital subtraction angiography (DSA) is the gold-standard method of assessing arterial blood flow and blockages prior to endovascular thrombectomy.ObjectiveTo detect anatomical features and arterial occlusions with DSA using artificial intelligence...

Familial Mediterranean fever associated frosted branch angiitis, retinal vasculitis and vascular occlusion.

To analyse the entity of retinal vasculitis, including frosted branch angiitis (FBA), or retina vascular occlusion in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Retrospective collaborative case series using invitation by email to uveitis specialists around the Mediterranean basin. This series was combined with a literature review. Exclusion criteria included infectious diseases, Behçet's disease or other autoimmune diseases. A total of 16 patients (21 eyes) had FMF and retinal vasculitis (FBA 11 patients, mild retinal vasculitis 5 patients). The mean age at onset of vasculitis was 29.5 ± 13.4 (range 9-62) with a female to male ratio of 9 to 7. In 19 eyes treated with various forms of corticosteroid and/or immunosuppression, the mean initial spectacle-corrected visual acuity improved from 6/194 to 6/10.5 at the last mean follow-up of 29.0 ± 34.9 months (p < 0.001). The most common FEVR mutations were M680I and M694V. In addition, retinal vascular occlusions included one case of central retinal artery occlusion and one case of branch retinal artery occlusion. FBA and milder forms of retinal vasculitis are associated with FMF. Therapy involves an increase in colchicine dosage in early cases, a long period of oral corticosteroid, intravitreal dexamethasone implant or periocular corticosteroid in select cases, and combination therapy with systemic immunosuppression in severe cases. FMF needs to be included in the differential diagnosis of retinal vasculitis.

Quiste esplénico. Esplenectomía parcial con exclusión vascular laparoscópica

Background: Background: Spleen resection is associated with high risk of infections. The risk of sepsis ranges between 4.25% and 18.2%. Splenectomy is the usual surgical practice in spleen diseases, and partial resection is the best option, when possible.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of partial splenectomy with vascular occlusion in patients with splenic cysts.Material and methods: Over a 3-year period, 4 patients with splenic cysts underwent partial splenectomy; vascular exclusion was used in 2 of them. Three patients were women; age, 30.5 years; BMI: 36.1Results: Operative time. 120.75 minute; clamping time, 12 minutes. Blood loss without vascular clamping, 700 and 200 mL; with vascular clamp, 50 and 30 mL. One patient was reoperated with total splenectomy via the conventional approach. Length of hospital stay, 3.5 days.Conclusions: Partial splenectomy with temporary vascular clamping is a feasible and safe option with minor intraoperative bleeding.

Native Endogenous Fluorescence Imaging Detects Vascular Occlusions in Patients with COVID-19

Background: A number of histopathological reports showed the presence of widespread thrombosis and associated morphology in pulmonary vessels of patients with COVID-19. Later, we identified vascular occlusions with neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), as major components, in autopsy tissue from patients with COVID-19.Methods: We, here investigated 109 lung specimens from 17 patients with COVID-19 and compared them with 11 lung specimens from two patients who succumbed to pulmonary embolism and acute cardiac. Healthy lung specimens from four patients served as controls. We studied these autopsy lung specimens using immunohistochemistry and native endogenous fluorescence.Findings: We present a label-free imaging technique using native endogenous fluorescence that enables the visualization of occluded vessels. We demonstrate that native endogenous fluorescence identified occluded vessels in tissue specimens from patients with COVID-19.Interpretation: Label-free detection of occluded vessels enabled the detection of affected occluded vessels in lung specimens of patients with COVID-19 where the occluding components showed varying contents of neutrophil-derived materials.Funding Statement: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), EU, Volkswagen-StiftungDeclaration of Interests: All authors have no conflicts of interests to declare.Ethics Approval Statement: An institutional approval from each local Ethical Committee was obtained (permit #193_13B; permit # 174_20B; EK 092/20; EK 119/20; EK 460/20).

Commentary: COVID-19 disease is more than just a respiratory infection

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the novel, highly contagious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has quickly become a global health emergency. It started with an outbreak of pneumonia causing fever, cough, and shortness of breath. However, the virus has been noted to involve multiple organs and systems. The global research community has made an impressive effort in compiling the various manifestations of the disease in a short time.[1] The infected individuals are predisposed to arterial and venous thromboembolic complications like deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The proposed mechanisms responsible for these thromboembolic events include a transient hypercoagulable state due to systemic inflammation and cytokine storm, postinfectious immune-mediated responses, and direct viral-induced endothelitis.[2] The incidence of thrombotic complications in COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care unit ranges between 16 to 49%.[1] Acute cardiovascular accident has been reported in 0.5–6.0% of COVID-19 patients.[3] Acharya et al.[4] first reported a central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) in a case of severe COVID-19 disease. However, recent evidence suggests that arterial thromboembolism can occur in patients with mild disease also. Currently, the incidence is unknown due to possible underreporting of symptoms. Turedi et al. first reported CRAO within a case of moderate COVID-19 disease.[5] Early anticoagulant treatment has been reported to improve the clinical outcome of COVID-19 patients and reduce the risk of thromboembolic events.[1] Interestingly, all the patients that have been reported to develop RAO secondary to COVID-19 were already being treated with anticoagulant therapy. The occurrence of RAO in COVID-19 patients is limited to only case reports. Further studies should be planned to evaluate out the incidence of vascular occlusions in patients suffering and recovered from COVID-19. Such studies can give us insight related to the association of the ocular diseases with the stage and severity of the COVID-19 infection. Our knowledge regarding the pathophysiology and treatment of this disease is still in its preliminary stage. The fast-paced ongoing research will hopefully provide better algorithms for management of this disease and prevention of its complications. Physicians treating COVID-19 patients must be sensitized to seek an urgent retina consultation for patients complaining of symptoms like blurry vision, sudden painless visual loss, or scotomas. We congratulate the authors for reporting the first case of an isolated cilioretinal artery occlusion (CLRAO) associated with paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM) in a patient with moderate COVID-19 disease and no other predisposing diseases. PAMM is reported to be present in 100% of isolated CLRAO due to hypoperfusion of the involved cilioretinal artery.[6] The authors started treating the patient 48 h after the episode and gave 20 sessions (40 h) of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), which led to resolution of retinal edema after 3 weeks. HBO involves the inhalation of 100% oxygen at pressures greater than 1 atm. The inspired oxygen partial pressure is nearly 203 kPa, which is almost 10 times that of breathing air at normal atmospheric pressure. It is postulated that oxygen at higher pressures diffuses from the choroidal circulation to reach the ischaemic retina and increase the oxygen delivery to the ischemic tissue until spontaneous or assisted reperfusion occurs.[7] However, isolated CLRAO is associated with good prognosis and does not usually require treatment. Retinal edema usually resolves spontaneously within few weeks. The central field defect improves in nearly half of the eyes and remains stable in the other half.[8] HBO is usually reserved for patients presenting with poor vision due to CRAO and BRAO. Also, the maximum benefit of the treatment is expected in case it is started within 6–8 h of the occlusion.[7] The risk-benefit for the application of multiple sessions to gain <1 line of vision during the COVID-19 pandemic should be carefully calculated. Role of corticosteroids in COVID-19 has been evaluated by several studies. The RECOVERY trial was a prospective study where 2104 patients were randomized to dexamethasone 6 mg per day (oral or intravenous) for 10 days and compared to the 4321 patients receiving usual care. They concluded that in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, dexamethasone reduced the 28-day mortality among those receiving invasive mechanical ventilation or oxygen at randomization, but not among patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 disease.[9]

Expert Opinion on Management of Intraocular Inflammation, Retinal Vasculitis, and Vascular Occlusion after Brolucizumab Treatment

Recent reports have described a spectrum of uncommon findings of intraocular inflammation (IOI), retinal vasculitis, or retinal vascular occlusion in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with intravitreal injection (IVI) of brolucizumab. We present guidance on the clinical presentation of this spectrum and propose recommendations for management of these events. PubMed literature review and expert opinion panel. A working group of international medical experts and Novartis medical personnel. The working group deliberated on the clinical presentations and used a 3-pronged approach to develop management recommendations based on (1) critical appraisal of scientific literature; (2) clinical insights from the HAWK and HARRIER trials, postmarketing reports, and assessments from an independent Safety Review Committee (SRC); and (3) their clinical experience. Management recommendations for a spectrum of ocular inflammatory events after treatment with brolucizumab or other anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs). Based on insights gained from the available information and the expertise of the contributors, recommendations were proposed for ocular examinations, imaging modalities, and treatment strategies for management of this spectrum of events. Patients should be educated to promptly report any relevant or persistent symptoms after IVI to facilitate timely intervention. Patients diagnosed with IOI should be evaluated for concomitant retinal vasculitis or retinal vascular occlusive events. Clinical examination can be augmented with multimodal imaging techniques, including widefield imaging, fluorescein angiography (with peripheral sweeps), and OCT. Once confirmed, the ongoing brolucizumab treatment should be suspended and intensive treatment with potent corticosteroids (topical, subtenon, intravitreal, or systemic) is recommended, which may be supplemented with other treatment strategies depending on the severity. Based on the clinical outcome of these events, individualized treatment with locally available standard of care should be considered for the underlying nAMD. These recommendations emphasize the need for early diagnosis, prompt and timely intervention, intensive treatment, and frequent monitoring to minimize the risk of progression of these events. The proposed recommendations may facilitate a consistent management approach of this spectrum of ocular inflammatory events should they arise in nAMD after treatment with brolucizumab or other anti-VEGFs.

Evaluation of Early Acute Cerebral Infarction with Transcranial Doppler

Objective: For patients with early acute cerebral infarction (ACI), transcranial Doppler ultrasound was used in the clinical examination, and its application effect was observed and analyzed. Methods: This study was carried out between October 2018 and October 2019. 50 patients with ACI included as the research object was evaluated by transcranial Doppler and CT examination, and the application of the two examination methods was compared. Results: The results of transcranial Doppler examination showed that the abnormal rate of blood flow velocity and the ratio of both sides (VACA) in patients with early ACI was higher than that of CT examination. Conclusion: With the impact on the location and area of vascular occlusion in patients, VACA can effectively reflect the status and effectiveness of the collateral circulation function of the patient’s pia vessels during cerebral infarction.

Risks of ophthalmic disorders in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus \u2013 a secondary cohort analysis of population-based claims data

BackgroundSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can directly affect various part of the ocular system, but there was no comprehensive analysis of ophthalmic disorders of patients with SLE using population-based data. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and prevalence of ophthalmic disorders for ophthalmologist visits in adult patients with SLE and to evaluate the risk of dry eye syndrome, cataracts, glaucoma, episcleritis and scleritis, and retinal vascular occlusion in these patients.MethodsThe Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database was used to assemble a SLE cohort consisting of newly diagnosed SLE between 2000 and 2012. A comparison cohort was also sampled from the same database and it consisted of 10 patients without SLE for each patient with SLE, based on frequency matching for sex, five-year age interval, and index year. Both cohorts were followed until either the study outcomes have occurred or the end of the follow-up period.ResultsPatients with SLE (n = 521) exhibited a significantly higher prevalence (68.1% vs. 60.5%, P = 0.001) and frequency (median 5.51 vs. 1.71 per 10 years, P < 0.001) for outpatient ophthalmologist visits compared with patients without SLE. The risk of dry eye syndrome (adjusted incidence rate ratio [IRR] 4.45, P < 0.001), cataracts (adjusted IRR 3.18, P < 0.001), and glaucoma (adjusted IRR 2.23, P = 0.002) were significantly higher in patients with SLE. In addition, the risk of several SLE related ophthalmic disorders, including episcleritis and scleritis (adjusted IRR 6.11, P < 0.001) and retinal vascular occlusion (adjusted IRR 3.81, P = 0.023) were significantly higher in patients with SLE.ConclusionsThe increased risk of dry eye syndrome, cataracts, glaucoma, episcleritis and scleritis, and retinal vascular occlusion in patients with SLE deserves vigilance.

Test with external peripheral vascular occlusion in evaluation of ergoreflex in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Aim. To evaluate changes in the cardiointervalogram (CIG) in the test with external peripheral vascular occlusion in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and in individuals without diseases of the respiratory system.&#x0D; Materials and Methods. The study included 105 men, of them 64 patients with COPD (age 64.988.67) and 41 volunteers without diseases of the respiratory system (age 61.689.21). The autonomic status was examined and alterations in CIG in the test with occlusion were evaluated on Varicard hardware and software complex (OOO Ramena, Russia).&#x0D; Results. The obtained data showed the autonomic imbalance with predomination of the activity of sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in patients with COPD as compared to the control group (p0.05). A study of ergoreflex by analysis of changes in CIG showed reduction of the activity of sympathetic division of the ANS in the test with external peripheral vascular occlusion in individuals without diseases of the respiratory system. In patients with COPD, changes in CIG in the test were less expressed and not always achieved statistically significant level (p0.05).&#x0D; Conclusions. Differences in the results of the test with external peripheral vascular occlusion in patients with COPD and volunteers without diseases of the respiratory system are attributed to hyperactivation of ergofeflex in patents with COPD.

Spectrum of Eye Disease in Diabetes (SPEED) in India: A prospective facility-based study. Report # 3. Retinal vascular occlusion in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose:To determine the proportion of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) attending large eye care facilities across India who have retinal vascular occlusion (RVO).Methods:A 6-month descriptive, multicenter, observational hospital-based study of people was being presented to the 14 eye care facilities in India. The retina-specific component of comprehensive eye examination included stereoscopic biomicroscopy, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, and fundus fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography was also available when needed. Data recording of the duration of diabetes, hypertension (HTN), stroke, and other variables was obtained from the medical history. The statistical analysis included frequencies, mean, and standard deviations for continuous variables. Odds ratio (OR) and multivariate analysis were undertaken to assess the associations between risk factors and RVO.Results:The study recruited 11,182 consecutive patients (22,364 eyes) with T2DM. About 59.0% (n = 6697) were male. The mean age was 58.2 ± 10.6 years. In this cohort, RVO was detected in 3.4% (n = 380) of patients; 67.6% (n = 257) of them had branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and the remaining 32.4% (n = 123) had central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). The frequency of unilateral BRVO (n = 220, 85.6%) and unilateral CRVO (n = 106, 86.18%) was much common. Unilateral RVO was more frequent (n = 326, 85.8%) than bilateral diseases (n = 54, 14.2%) (χ2 = 126.95, P < 0.001). Ischemic CRVO was more common (n = 103, 73.6%) than nonischemic CRVO (n = 37, 26.4%). Macula-involving BRVO was found in 58.5% (n = 172) of cases, suggesting more than 50% of cases in RVO carries a risk of severe vision loss. The duration of diabetes apparently had no influence on the occurrence of RVO. On the multivariate analysis, a history of HTN [OR: 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3–2.1; P = 0.001) and stroke (OR: 5.1; 95% CI: 2.1–12.4; P < 0.001) was associated with RVO.Conclusion:RVO is a frequent finding in people with T2DM. History of stroke carries the highest risk followed by HTN. The management of people with T2DM and RVO must also include comanagement of all associated systemic conditions.

Clinical Features of Visual Disturbances in Leiden Thrombophilia

The hereditary thrombophilias is a well-recognized important risk factor for a systemic and local thromboembolic events development. The case of Leiden thrombophilia family inheritance concomitant by the visual disturbances development are shown in this аrticle. Most commonly in hereditary thrombophilias, venous thrombembolias occur, arterial occlusions which have been reported in the recent literature only as individual clinical cases occur more rarely. In the European population hereditary thrombophilias are associated with a prothrombotic mutation in the coagulation factor V gene (Leiden factor) in a greater degree; herewith the risk of thrombotic complications is increasing significantly in homozygous polymorphism forms. Presence of combined mutations in several clotting factors also leads to risk of thrombembolias increase. Consequence of the Leiden mutation is a V activator resistance to the resolving action of the activated protein C which is a natural endogenous anticoagulant protein. Resistance development leads to a deceleration of V factor inactivation and to increasing of the thrombin amount. In the work presented here, development of the consistent bilateral occlusion of the central retinal artery (CRA) in a middle-aged patient with a heterozygous form of Leiden thrombophilia is the subject of interest. Along with the hereditary hemostatic system abnormality, the patient also had cardiovascular risk factors (hypertensive disease, atherosclerosis) which had a potentiating effect on the occlusion development. Taking into account the autosomal dominant nature of the Leiden mutation inheritance, the patient’s only daughter was examined; brief episodes of amaurosis fugax against the background of headaches similar to migraine were detected due to ophthalmological abnormalities. For verification of the Leiden thrombophilia diagnosis, both patients underwent molecular genetic diagnostics. Currently there are no large prospective studies showing the optimal and economically viable approach for identification of thrombophilia genetic polymorphisms in patients with retinal vascular occlusions in daily clinical experience. Possible additional risk factors for thrombembolias development, prevention services for manifest and recurrent vascular occlusions in patients with hereditary blood coagulation system abnormalities and their relatives are discussed in this article.

Comparative analysis of parameters of cardiointervalometry, ergoreflex and data of 6 minute walk test in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Aim. To study the relationship between parameters of cardiointervalometry and ergoreflex, and 6-minute walk test data in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).&#x0D; Materials and Methods. The study included 103 men, of them 63 patients with COPD, 40 patients of the control group. Functional assessment of external respiration and a 6-minute walk test were performed using Spiropalm 6MWT equipment (Cosmed, Italy). The autonomic status and the influence of the ergoreflex on it were assessed by the method of cardiointervalometry before, during and after the test with external peripheral vascular occlusion using Varicard hardware and software complex (LLC Ramena, Ryazan, Russia).&#x0D; Results. When performing a 6-minute walk test, significant differences were obtained between the groups of patients with COPD and of the control group in the majority of the studied parameters (p0.01). In 18 of 63 patients with COPD, the level of SpO2 in 6-minute walk test decreased by 4% (p0.01). The obtained result is of considerable importance for assessment of exercise tolerance in patients with COPD. In tests with external peripheral vascular occlusion in patients with COPD and of the control group, the index of activity of regulatory systems (IARS) increased in both groups. However, after completion of the test, the index in patients with COPD decreased below the initial values (p0.05), and in patients of the control group the changes were even more pronounced (p0.01). Patients with COPD were divided into groups depending on the distance covered in 6-minute walk test. Analysis of the data revealed a moderate positive correlation between the covered distance and the forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (FEV1, R=0.45, p0.01).The maximum level of the total effect of the autonomic regulation of blood circulation was recorded in patients who covered the minimum distance (227.7748.13 m) in 6-minute walk test. Besides, a moderate negative correlation between IARS and the results of 6-minute test was recorded (R=-0.34, p0.01).&#x0D; Conclusions. 1. For assessment of the functional status of patients in 6-minute walk test it is important to take measurement of saturation throughout the whole test. 2. The change in IARS values in the test with external peripheral vascular occlusion can be regarded as a reduction of the influence of reflex from the lower limb ergoreceptors on the functional condition of patients. 3. Patients with COPD showed a marked autonomic imbalance. IARS showed a moderate negative correlation with the distance covered in 6-minute walk test. 4. Maximum value of IARS was obtained in patients with the minimal distance covered in 6-minute walk test.

Risk of incident atrial fibrillation in patients presenting with retinal artery or vein occlusion: a nationwide cohort study

BackgroundThe inter-relationships of atrial fibrillation (AF) to retinal vascular occlusions (whether retinal artery occlusion (RAO) or retinal venous occlusion (RVO)) remain unclear. It is unknown if a presentation of retinal artery or venous occlusions may indicate a new onset cardiac arrhythmia. To shed light on this association, we investigated the risk of new onset AF in patients with known RAO and RVO.MethodsPatients with retinal occlusions from 1997 to 2011 were identified through Danish nationwide registries and matched 1:5 according to sex and age. Cumulative incidence and unadjusted rates of AF according to retinal vascular occlusions (i.e. RAO or RVO) were determined. Hazard ratios (HR) of AF according to retinal vascular occlusion were adjusted for hypertension, diabetes, vascular disease and prior stroke/systemic thromboembolism/transient ischemic attack.ResultsOne thousand three hundred sixty-eight cases with retinal vascular occlusions were identified (median age 71.4 (inter quartile range (IQR); 61.2–79.8), 47.3% male). RAO constituted 706 cases (51.6%) and RVO 529 (38.7%). The rate of incident AF amongst all cases with retinal vascular occlusion was 1.74 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.47–2.06) compared to 1.22 (95% CI, 1.12–1.33) in the matched control group. The rate of AF in RAO was 2.01 (95% CI, 1.6–2.52) and 1.52 (1.15–2.01) in RVO. HRs of incident AF adjusted for cardiovascular comorbidities were 1.26 (95% CI; 1.04–1.53, p = 0.019) for any retinal vascular occlusion, 1.45 (95% CI; 1.10–1.89, p = 0.015) for RAO, and 1.02 (95% CI; 0.74–1.39, p = 0.920) for RVO.ConclusionsA new diagnosis of retinal vascular occlusion in patients without prior AF was associated with increased risk of incident AF, particularly amongst patients with RAO. Awareness of AF in patients with retinal vascular occlusions is advised.