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Br J Ophthalmol 2006;90:563-567 doi:10.1136/bjo.2005.087908
  • Clinical science
    • Extended reports

Increase of carotid artery stiffness and decrease of baroreflex sensitivity in exfoliation syndrome and glaucoma

  1. Z Visontai1,
  2. B Merisch2,
  3. M Kollai2 and
  4. G Holló1
  1. 1Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
  2. 2Institute of Human Physiology and Clinical Experimental Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
  1. Correspondence to: Gábor Holló MD, PhD, DSc, 1083, Budapest, Tömö u 25–29, Hungary; hg{at}szem1.sote.hu
  • Accepted 1 February 2006
  • Published Online First 17 February 2006

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the distensibility of the common carotid artery (CCA), baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and its relation to plasma homocysteine concentration in exfoliation syndrome or exfoliation glaucoma (XFS/XFG).

Methods: Homocysteine concentrations were measured in 30 XFS/XFG patients and 18 age matched controls. In 21 patients and 17 controls the end diastolic diameter of the CCA and pulsatile distension were measured and BRS was calculated.

Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in sex distribution, age, heart rate, blood pressure, systemic diseases, or medication. In XFS/XFG patients homocysteine concentration was significantly elevated (unpaired t test, p = 0.023), and CCA stiffness was higher (p<0.05), while strain, cross sectional compliance coefficient, distensibility, and BRS were significantly reduced compared to the controls (Mann-Whitney U test, p≤0.013 for each parameter). In XFS/XFG patients a positive correlation was found between age and plasma homocysteine level (Pearson’s correlation, r = 0.490, p = 0.007), and a negative correlation between age and BRS (Kendall’s correlation r = −0.374, p = 0.021), as well as between homocysteine concentration and BRS (Kendall’s correlation r = −0.377, p = 0.024). No correlation was seen between these variables in the control group.

Conclusions: These results suggest a pathological large artery function as well as altered parasympathetic vascular control in XFS/XFG which increases with age and with higher homocysteine concentration.

Notes

  • The study was supported in part by Hungarian National Health Grant (ETT) 011/2003 (GH) and by OTKA Grant T049690 (MK).

  • None of the authors has any interest in any instrument or technique used in the study.

  • Ethics approval (see also Methods section): the research protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board for Human Research of Semmelweis University, and informed consent was obtained from all participants before imaging was performed.

Relevant Article

  • Editorial:Exfoliation syndrome Exfoliation and carotid stiffness
    • M Irkec
    Br J Ophthalmol 2006;90:529-530Published Online First: 23 March 2006 doi:10.1136/bjo.2006.090688

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