Clinical Research Directory

Pupil Size and Choroidal Thickness Changes With Tamsulosin vs. Silodosin in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Patients

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease in men and is treated with alpha-blockers, particularly tamsulosin and silodosin. Studies suggest that these drugs may affect α1a receptors in the iris dilator muscle, causing structural changes in the iris and pupillary disturbances, and increasing the risk of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) during cataract surgery. Main objective: To compare the effect of tamsulosin and silodosin on pupil size and choroidal thickness in patients with BPH. Men aged 50 years and older with a definitive diagnosis of BPH who have no prior history of alpha-blocker use will be enrolled in one of the two treatment arms - tamsulosin or silodosin. Assessments will be conducted at two time points - before the start of treatment and after three months of continuous. * Pupillography will be performed at three standard illumination levels - scotopic 0.04 lux, mesopic 4 lux, and photopic 50 lux - with pupil diameter automatically recorded under each condition using the MS-39 device (manufactured by CSO, Italy). * Choroidal assessment will use EDI-OCT (Heidelberg) macular imaging, measuring choroidal thickness at the subfoveal position and at 500 and 1000 micron nasal and temporal points. To reduce daily fluctuations related to circadian rhythm, all imaging will be performed within a fixed window of 9-11 a.m. by a single trained operator. drug use.

Iris Structural Changes With Tamsulosin vs. Silodosin in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Patients

Inhibition of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors by drugs such as tamsulosin and silodosin, which are prescribed for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, can lead to intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) during cataract surgery. IFIS is a phenomenon characterized by a small, poorly dilating pupil and causes surgical difficulty. Main objective: To determine and compare changes in the anatomical structure of the iris in patients with BPH before and after treatment with tamsulosin and silodosin. Men aged 50 years and older with a definitive diagnosis of BPH who have no prior history of alpha-blocker use will be enrolled in one of the two treatment arms - tamsulosin or silodosin. Imaging will be performed using an MS-39 device (manufactured by CSO, Italy); assessments will be conducted at two time points - before the start of treatment and after three months of continuous drug use. At baseline and three months after treatment, using AS-OCT, the DMR and SMR regions and other ocular angle indices will be measured. Medication adherence will be assessed by counting the capsules used by each patient. Specific Objectives: 1. To determine changes in the dilator muscle region (DMR) under scotopic, mesopic, photopic, and post-dilation conditions from baseline to the third month in the tamsulosin \& silodosin groups and compare them. 2. To determine changes in SMR under scotopic, mesopic, photopic, and post-dilation conditions from baseline to the third month in the tamsulosin \& silodosin groups and compare them.

Retinal Atrophy and Neurofilament Light Chain in People With Multiple Sclerosis Taking Ofatumumab

This study aims to assess whether, and the degree to which, ofatumumab modulates or reduces rates of retinal atrophy in people with relapsing-remitting MS (RMS), according to baseline serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels.

Structural and Microbiological Characterization of Arterial Catheter Biofilm in ICU's Patients Using Optical Coherence Tomography

29.3% of bacteremias in intensive care units (ICU) are linked to vascular devices, including 7.7% to arterial catheters, with an influence on both morbility and mortality. It is now accepted that biofilm as a role on bacterial development on inner surface of vascular devices but there is yet a lack of clinical relevant data documenting a causal relation between biofilm formation and bacteremias. The investigators assume that a better structural and microbiological characterization of arterial catheter biofilm in ICU patients could help preventing bacteremias or have a more specific treatment when it appears.

Histopathological Analysis of Renal Biopsies With Dynamic Full-field Optical Coherence Tomography, a Comparison to Conventional Histopathological Findings for the Diagnosis of Either Acute Kidney Injury or Chronic Kidney Disease in Routine Practices (NEPHROCT)

Kidney biopsy play a key role for the investigation of either acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease. Despite possible complications due to the invasive nature of the biopsy, such procedure is still essential in a number of clinical situations to improve the diagnosis specificity of kidney disease, better inform about its prognosis and guide the management of a future treatment. Pursuing the idea to improve both performance and rapidity associated with the histopathological analysis of kidney biopsy, with a possible recourse to artificial intelligence-based renal pathology, the present study intends to assess the impact of direct histopathological examination of kidney biopsy with dynamic full-field optical coherence tomography in routine practices for the diagnosis of either acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease.

CHOPXE - Analysis of Choriocapillaris Flow Deficits in Patients With Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum

This observational study sets out to compare choriocapillaris flow deficits between healthy control subjects and patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare, incurable hereditary disease caused by genetic mutations. The condition is characterised by excessive tissue mineralisation, which can result in a range of dermatological, vascular, and ophthalmological complications. Among these complications is the potential for visual impairment. The management of this condition is focused on the treatment of its complications. Degeneration of the retina and the choroid (the layer responsible for ensuring its vascularisation) occurs in the eye, resulting in premature degeneration. We would like to study the premature alteration of these structures, which could subsequently be used as an objective marker of the evolution of pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

The Influence of Modifying Highly Calcified Coronary Lesions on Coronary Microcirculation

This is a prospective, single-center, three-arm study to evaluate the impact of severely calcified coronary lesions treatment on microvascular circulation. We will enroll 30 conveniently sampled subjects assigned to one of three therapeutical methods lithotripsy, super-high pressure balloon, and orbital atherectomy prior to implantation of drug-eluting stents (DES).

Vessel Imaging Using Optical Coherence Tomography for Plaque Morphology and Vessel Fractional Flow Reserve

The aim of this prospective, investigator-initiated study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and correlations between mopphometric indices: luminal and qualitative parameters assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) including minimal lumen area, plaque type, presence of thin cap fibroatheroma and a functional index - angiography based vessel fractional flow reserve (vFFR) among patients with chronic coronary syndrome identified with intermediate grade coronary stenosis.