Efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants in older adults with atrial fibrillation: a prospective single-centre cohort study.

Introduction: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are underused in the elderly, regardless the evidence in their favour in this population.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled anticoagulant-naïve patients aged ≥ 75 years who started treatment with DOACs for atrial fibrillation (AF) and stratified them in older adults (aged 75-84 years) and extremely older adults (≥ 85 years). Thrombotic and hemorrhagic events were evaluated for 12 months follow-up.

The impact of sensitive KIT D816V detection on recognition of indolent Systemic Mastocytosis.

Patients with Systemic Mastocytosis (SM) need a highly sensitive diagnostic test for D816V detection of the KIT receptor gene. Along with histology/cytology and flow cytometry evaluation, bone marrow (BM) from 110 consecutive adult patients referred with a suspicion of SM to Multidisciplinary Outpatient Clinic for Mastocytosis in Verona were tested both by Amplification Refractory Mutation System Reverse Transcriptase quantitative real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (ARMS-RT-qPCR) and RT-PCR+Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) followed by Denaturing-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (D-HPLC) and Sanger sequencing. ARMS-RT-qPCR identified D816V mutation in 77 patients, corresponding to 100% of cases showing CD25(+) mast cells (MCs) whereas RT-PCR+RFLP/D-HPLC+sequencing revealed D816V mutations in 47 patients.

Sequential topical riboflavin with or without ultraviolet a radiation with delayed intracorneal ring segment insertion for keratoconus.

Purpose: To report refractive, topographic, pachymetric, tonometric, and corneal biomechanical outcomes 24 months after corneal cross-linking (CXL), followed by insertion of intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) in keratoconic eyes.

Design: Prospective randomized clinical trial.

Settings: Institutional.

[Cross-linking and intrastromal corneal ring segment].

Corneal cross-linking is a procedure used for stabilizing the cornea in patients with progressive keratoconus by increasing corneal rigidity, and it is also used in corneal inflammatory melting process. The intrastromal corneal ring segments act by flattening the center of the cornea. Originally designed for the correction of mild myopia, the segments are now being used for reduction of keratoconus in order to improve the uncorrected visual acuity, the best spectacle corrected visual acuity, to allow good tolerance to the use of contact lenses and delay the need for corneal grafting procedures.

Corneal infections after implantation of intracorneal ring segments.

Purpose: To report risk factors, clinical course, and outcome in patients with infectious keratitis following implantation of intracorneal ring segments (ICRS).

Methods: The records of 8 patients with culture-proven infectious keratitis after ICRS (Ferrara or Intacs) implantation were retrospectively reviewed. Age, gender, corneal findings, ocular abnormalities, the condition that led to ICRS implantation, immediate prior use of a contact lens, elapsed time between implantation and the onset of symptoms, previous medications, and systemic disorders were noted.

Ferrara intrastromal corneal ring segments for severe keratoconus.

Purpose: Intrastromal Ferrara ring segments were inserted in eyes with severe keratoconus to evaluate safety and efficacy of this procedure.

Methods: Intrastromal Ferrara ring segments were placed in 36 eyes of 35 patients with severe keratoconus, who were evaluated after 12 months of follow-up. All patients had highly disabling visual acuity, contact lens intolerance, and a previous indication for penetrating keratoplasty.