A New Provocative Test for Glaucoma

PURPOSE

To compare the effects of the water-drinking test (WDT) with the 30° inverted body position test on intraocular pressure (IOP) in normal patients, suspected glaucoma patients and glaucoma patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Based on clinical evaluation of the optic disk, IOP, and standard achromatic perimetry (SAP) of 71 eyes, 18 were "normal" (normal SAP and optic disk evaluation, and IOP < 21 mm Hg), 30 were "glaucoma suspect" (GS; normal SAP, cup/disk (C/D) ratio > 0.5 or asymmetry > 0.2 and/or ocular hypertension), and 31 had "early glaucoma" (MD < -6 dB, glaucomatous optic neuropathy). Standard achromatic perimetry was performed with the Octopus 3.1.1 Dynamic 24-2 program. Patients fasted before the WDT, and four measurements were performed at basal, 15', 30, and 45' after drinking 1 liter of water (WDT) in 5 minutes. In the 30° inverted position, IOP measurement with Perkins applanation tonometer was taken after 5 minutes lying down.

RESULTS

There was a statistical difference in all groups between the basal IOP and peak IOP during the WDT (p < 0.001) and in the inverted position IOP (p < 0.001). Controls (p = 0.50), suspects (p = 0.41) and glaucoma patients (p = 1.0) did not exhibit a difference between WDT-IOP and inverted position IOP.

CONCLUSION

The 30° inverted position test was as efficient as WDT in detecting peak IOP. This new provocative test is easier, faster and more comfortable for both patients and doctors. How to cite this article: Kanadani FN, Moreira TCA, Campos LF, Vianello MP, Corradi J, Dorairaj SK, Freitas ALA, Ritch R. A New Provocative Test for Glaucoma. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2016;10(1): 1-3.

Níveis de retinol e carotenóides séricos e intercorrências gestacionais em puérperas

OBJETIVO: Investigar a associação entre intercorrências gestacionais e níveis de retinol e carotenóides em puérperas atendidas em maternidade pública do Rio de Janeiro. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi constituída por 262 puérperas atendidas na Maternidade Escola da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. O estado nutricional antropométrico foi avaliado pelo do índice de massa corporal pré-gestacional e pelo ganho ponderal gestacional, e foram coletadas informações sobre intercorrências gestacionais nos registros médicos dos prontuários. Foram adotados os pontos de corte 1,05µmol/L e 80µg/dL para definir inadequação dos níveis de retinol e carotenóides séricos, respectivamente. RESULTADOS: Quarenta e dois vírgula sete por cento da amostra foi acometida por intercorrências gestacionais, destacando-se anemia (29,0%), inadequação dos níveis de retinol (24,4%), e síndromes hipertensivas da gravidez (5,7%). Observou-se maior proporção de obesidade pré-gestacional entre mulheres com síndromes hipertensivas da gravidez, em comparação com as não portadoras de tal intercorrência. Verificou-se menor nível médio de carotenóides séricos entre as que desenvolveram síndromes hipertensivas da gravidez e 91,7% destas apresentaram inadequação destes nutrientes. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados revelam acometimento importante de mulheres por intercorrências gestacionais e por deficiências nutricionais. Além disso, apontam a obesidade pré-gestacional como um possível fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de síndromes hipertensivas da gravidez e sugerem uma associação entre baixos níveis de carotenóides e tal intercorrência.

Association between gestational night blindness and serum retinol in mother/newborn pairs in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

OBJECTIVE

Gestational night blindness (XN) is associated with increased risk of reproductive morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the prevalence of gestational XN among postpartum women treated in a public maternity hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and evaluated its association with maternal and neonatal (cord blood) serum retinol concentrations.

METHODS

XN was evaluated retrospectively, using an interview according to guidelines of the World Health Organization, in 222 postpartum women (< or = 6 h after delivery) after singleton births who had low obstetric risk. Serum retinol concentrations were measured according to the modified Bessey method, with a cutoff point lower than 1.05 micromol/L for inadequate serum retinol concentration.

RESULTS

Prevalence of gestational XN was 18%, and inadequate maternal and cord blood serum retinol concentrations were found in 24.4% and 45.5% of samples, respectively. The results associated gestational XN with inadequate maternal serum retinol concentration (P = 0.000), and an association was observed between maternal and neonatal serum retinol concentrations (P = 0.000). A poor association was observed between maternal XN and serum levels of retinol in newborn children (P = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that prevalence of gestational XN and inadequate serum retinol concentration among postpartum women and newborns is a concern, calling attention to the need for studies in other parts of Brazil. In addition, the risk of inadequate serum retinol in newborns was significantly higher among infants of postpartum women with serum retinol levels below 1.05 micromol/L. Gestational XN was associated with inadequate levels of maternal serum retinol, and the results suggest a poor relation between maternal XN and vitamin A nutritional status of newborns.

Gestational nightblindness among women attending a public maternity hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This study evaluated the prevalence of gestational nightblindness among postpartum women seen at the University Maternal Hospital of the Federal University in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the association of this symptom with a biochemical indicator (serum retinol levels) and sociodemographic, anthropometric and antenatal care variables. In total, 262 postpartum women, who did not receive vitamin A supplementation during pregnancy, were interviewed. Gestational nightblindness was diagnosed through the standardized interview as proposed by WHO. Serum retinol levels were evaluated by spectrophotometry. Gestational nightblindness relating to low levels of serum retinol (<1.05 micromol/L, p = 0.000) was diagnosed in 17.9% of subjects interviewed. Less than five antenatal care appointments (odds ratio [OR] = 2.179; confidence interval [CI] 95% = 1.078 - 4.402) and a history of one or more miscarriage(s) (OR = 2.306; CI 95% = 1.185 - 4.491) were predictors for gestational nightblindness. These findings justify the need for nutritional counselling, aimed at improving the vitamin A nutritional status, especially among pregnant women with a history of previous miscarriages and poor antenatal care.

[Sublingual isosorbide-5 mononitrate during coronary arteriography. Comparison with sublingual nitroglycerin]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of sublingual isosorbide-5 mononitrate (ISMN) and nitroglycerin (NTG) on luminal diameter of epicardial coronary arteries, mean arterial pressure and deleterious effects.

METHODS

Fifty patients were submitted to cardiac catheterization and coronary arteriography, at baseline, and 5 min after sublingual administration of ISMN, group A (GA) or NTG, group B (GB).

RESULTS

Reference vessel diameter increased in both groups, without statistical significance. In GA and GB, a decrease (1.66 mmHg) and an increase (0.79 mmHg) in mean arterial pressure, respectively, were demonstrated (p = 0.123). There were no deleterious effects with the use of these drugs.

CONCLUSION

Sublingual ISMN is an alternative to administration of NTG during coronary arteriography, and represents a therapeutic alternative to ischemic heart disease treatment.

[Efficacy of repeat coronary dilatation in patients with restenosis of the anterior descending artery]

PURPOSE

To analyze the clinical characteristics, acute and long term results of repeat percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for restenosis of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LDA) METHODS: We studied 113 patients, 79% male, mean age 59 years, 49.5% had stable angina, with single vessel proximal LDA disease undergoing repeat PTCA for a first restenosis from January/88 to December/92. We examined the in hospital outcome (success rate and complications) and long term follow up (angina status, occurrence of myocardial infarction (MI), death and need for repeat PTCA or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) of this subgroup.

RESULTS

Primary success was 96%. Complications included: 1% MI, 1% emergency CABG and 1% procedural death. Follow up data (mean 42 months) was available in 102 (94%) out of 109 patients with successful repeat PTCA: 64 (63%) patients were asymptomatic, 5 (5%) had a MI and 28 (27%) required repeat PTCA or CABG. Actuarial 5 year freedom from death was 94%, freedom from death and MI was 91% and freedom from death, MI and repeat PTCA or CABG was 52%.

CONCLUSION

Repeat PTCA is an effective treatment for proximal LAD restenosis with a high success rate, low incidence of procedural complications and provides excellent long term cardiac survival, however repeat revascularization is frequently required.