Safety, Efficacy, and Predictive Factors of Conventional Epithelium-Off Corneal Crosslinking in the Treatment of Progressive Keratoconus.

Purpose: To report predictive factors of outcome of conventional epithelium-off corneal crosslinking (CXL) in the treatment of progressive keratoconus.

Methods: This is a monocentric observational retrospective study conducted at Eye and Ear International Hospital, Lebanon. All patients with progressive keratoconus who underwent CXL between January 2008 and January 2016, with minimal 3-years follow-up were included.

Ductal stenting to improve pulmonary blood flow in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum and critical pulmonary stenosis after balloon valvuloplasty.

Objective: To assess the feasibility, safety, and efficiency of ductal stenting in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum or critical pulmonary stenosis after balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty.

Background: Ductal stenting in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum is a re-emerging and promising technique. There is little data available on its outcomes after establishing prograde pulmonary blood flow.

Catheter closure of a recanalized vertical vein after repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection.

The vertical vein is sometimes left open in repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection. It usually closes later but can remain patent leading to a significant shunt. We describe a recanalized vertical vein in a 7-year-old having undergone repair in infancy.

International normalized ratio self-testing and self-management: improving patient outcomes.

Long term oral anti-coagulation with vitamin K antagonists is a risk factor of hemorrhagic or thromebomlic complications. Periodic laboratory testing of international normalized ratio (INR) and a subsequent dose adjustment are therefore mandatory. The use of home testing devices to measure INR has been suggested as a potential way to improve the comfort and compliance of the patients and their families, the frequency of monitoring and, finally, the management and safety of long-term oral anticoagulation.