Ocular volume change per minute with ocular pneumoplethysmography

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Vascular Surgery
• Cardiovascular Physiology

Background:

• Carotid endarterectomy is a common procedure for cerebrovascular disease.
• Ocular blood flow can be affected by carotid artery stenosis and surgical intervention.
• Understanding ocular hemodynamics post-surgery is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in ocular hemodynamics using ocular pneumoplethysmography before and after carotid endarterectomy.
• To investigate the influence of preoperative ocular hypoperfusion on postoperative ocular blood flow.
• To identify factors contributing to sex-based differences in ocular volume changes.

Main Methods:

• Ocular pneumoplethysmography (OPG) was performed on 1,737 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.
• Procedures were primarily for hemodynamically significant carotid lesions (82%).
• Data analysis focused on preoperative and postoperative ocular volume changes and influencing factors.

Main Results:

• Preoperative ocular hypoperfusion, without frank ischemia, was linked to transient postoperative ocular hyperemia.
• A significant difference in ocular volume change per minute (14.0%) was observed between sexes.
• Sex differences in heart rate, brachial pulse pressure, and eye size accounted for these variations.

Conclusions:

• Carotid endarterectomy can induce transient changes in ocular hemodynamics.
• Sex-specific physiological differences play a role in ocular blood flow regulation post-procedure.
• Findings may inform the management of conditions like diabetic retinopathy, particularly with panretinal photocoagulation.