Reversible dilated cardiomyopathy caused by hypothyroidism

The association between lack of thyroid hormones and cardiac dysfunction has been well described. We report two new cases of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), revealing a periphery hypothyroidism and for whom cardiac function significantly improved after L thyroxin substitutive treatment. Our cases highlight the necessity to perform thyroid function testing to investigate the etiology of non ischemic DCM

Update on Bartonella neuroretinitis

Purpose: To review the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment modalities, and prognosis of Bartonella-associated neuroretinitis. Methods: This is a narrative review on Bartonella-associated neuroretinitis including general and ophthalmological aspects of the disease. A comprehensive literature review between January 1950 and September 2018 was conducted in PubMed database. Epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of Bartonella neuroretinitis were reviewed. Results: Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a worldwide distributed systemic infectious disease caused by a bacterium, Bartonella henselae (B. henselae) which is usually transmitted to humans through contact with infected cats. Ocular manifestations of CSD are diverse, with neuroretinitis and superficial retinal infiltrates being the most common and typical manifestations. Neuroretinitis typically presents as optic disc edema with a partial or complete macular star in association with mild vitritis. Macular star may be absent at the initial presentation, becoming evident 1�2 weeks after the onset of optic disc edema. Diagnosis of CSD is confirmed by reliable laboratory tests. Neuroretinitis usually has a self-limited course. Antibiotic therapy is required for severe systemic disease and vision-threatening ocular involvement. The adjunctive use of oral corticosteroids may further improve the visual outcome. Conclusions: The diagnosis of Bartonella-associated neuroretinitis is based on typical clinical findings and positive serology. The prognosis is usually favorable in immunocompetent individuals. © 2019 Iranian Society of Ophthalmolog

Swept-Source optical coherence tomography angiography shows choriocapillaris flow reduction in multiple evanescent white dot syndrome

Purpose: To report two cases of typical multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS), in which swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) revealed transient areas of flow deficit at the level of the choriocapillaris. Methods: The SS-OCTA images of two female patients with typical MEWDS were analyzed at the onset of the disease and during follow-up. Results: The patients were aged 24 and 25 years, respectively. Previous medical history was unremarkable in both cases. The diagnosis of MEWDS was made on the basis of typical clinical findings and results of fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography. At presentation, SS-OCTA showed a few small hypointense areas of flow deficit at the level of the choriocapillaris in both cases. During follow-up, SS-OCTA showed complete resolution of choriocapillaris flow voids. Conclusion: Both our patients with typical acute MEWDS showed SS-OCTA multifocal small areas of flow reduction at the level of the choriocapillaris, with full recovery during the follow-up. This finding supports the hypothesis of transient, primary, or secondary choriocapillaris hypoperfusion in typical MEWDS

Effects of Ramadan fasting on platelet reactivity in diabetic patients treated with clopidogrel

Abstract Background The effects of Ramadan fasting (RF) on clopidogrel antiplatelet inhibition were not previously investigated. The present study evaluated the influence of RF on platelet reactivity in patients with high cardiovascular risk (CVR) in particular those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods A total of 98 stable patients with ≥2 CVR factors were recruited. All patients observed RF and were taking clopidogrel at a maintenance dose of 75 mg. Clinical findings and serum lipids data were recorded before Ramadan (Pre-R), at the last week of Ramadan (R) and 4 weeks after the end of Ramadan (Post-R). During each patient visit, nutrients intakes were calculated and platelet reactivity assessment using Verify Now P2Y12 assay was performed. Results In DM patients, the absolute PRU changes from baseline were +27 (p = 0.01) and +16 (p = 0.02) respectively at R and Post-R. In addition, there was a significant increase of glycemia and triglycerides levels with a significant decrease of high-density lipoprotein. In non DM patients there was no significant change in absolute PRU values and metabolic parameters. Clopidogrel resistance rate using 2 cut-off PRU values (235 and 208) did not change significantly in DM and non DM patients. Conclusions RF significantly decreased platelet sensitivity to clopidogrel in DM patients during and after Ramadan. This effect is possibly related to an increase of glycemia and serum lipids levels induced by fasting. Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov NCT02720133 . Registered 24 July 2014.Retrospectively registered