https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/38770 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:33:17 GMT 2026-04-08T17:33:17Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/702 Title: Prevalance study of glaucoma in Malta and Gozo Authors: Cachia, John; Soler, Richard; Blagojevic, Milan; Agius Muscat, Hugo Abstract: A glaucoma survey was carried out in Malta and Gozo. Using non-contact pulseair tonometer, 2245 participants selected on a random basis, aged 40 years and above, were examined and 3.29% were found to have glaucoma. Among them 1.69% were newly detected glaucoma cases. The main risk factors were diabetes mellitus in the personal past history and glaucoma in the family history. Age was confirmed to be a risk factor, but arterial hypertension and myopia could not be proved as risk factors. About 4000 glaucoma cases were estimated to be present in Malta and Gozo at the time of the survey. Some other ocular conditions were also found in relatively high percentages: cataract -3.3%, myopic maculopathy -2.9% and diabetic retinopathy -1.5%. Wed, 01 Jan 1992 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/702 1992-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/624 Title: High order multiple births in the Maltese population Authors: Savona-Ventura, Charles; Zammit, Anthony Abstract: Triplets are a relatively rare occurrence being encountered in the Maltese Islands with an overall incidence of about 0.1 per 1000 maternities. The incidence appears to be on the increase over the last twenty years rising from the 0.08 per 1000 maternities in the decade 1960-69 to 0.11 per 1000 maternities in the following two decades. This increase has been correlated with the increasing use of ovulation induction agents, as has the occurrence of two quadruplets and one octuplet pregnancies in 1988-90. Triplets are shown to occur more frequently in elderly mothers, but no relationship to parity could be identified. Higher order births are shown to have a high incidence of antenatal and intrapartum problems, and are associated with a higher fetal loss than singleton pregnancies. Wed, 01 Jan 1992 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/624 1992-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/612 Title: Coronary artery spasm : role in acute myocardial ischaemia Authors: Xuereb, Robert G.; Xuereb, Mariosa Abstract: Coronary artery spasm is an accepted cause of transient myocardial ischaemia in patients with variant angina. The electrocardiographic abnormality, ST segment elevation, which is a hallmark of this syndrome, resembles that seen experimentally when the animal coronary artery is ligated and clinically, when the human coronary artery is totally occluded by a balloon angioplasty catheter. Coronary artery spasm is defined as a severe localized constriction sufficiently profound to cause transient total or sub-total occlusion of an epicardial coronary artery resulting in myocardial ischaemia. Coronary artery spasm has also been suggested to play an important role in the pathophysiology of myocardial ischaemia throughout the wide clinical spectrum of coronary artery disease including effort angina, unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction and sudden death. Wed, 01 Jan 1992 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/612 1992-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/304 Title: Apprehending narcotic smugglers in Malta Authors: Zammit, Anthony Abstract: This is an account of the experience of the radiological department in identifying heroin smugglers coming from the African continent in transit through Malta. The method of preparation and ways of concealment of drugs in the alimentary tract are described and their radiological appearances illustrated. Conventional and alternative methods of investigation are discussed. Wed, 01 Jan 1992 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/304 1992-01-01T00:00:00Z