Reflections in a normal eye: the effect of aortic stenosis on oculopneumoplethysmography

The association of aortic stenosis and syncope is well recognized. Oculopneumoplethysmography (OPG) can provide an accurate index of carotid stenosis and indirectly measure cerebral perfusion. The possibility that OPG would be influenced by aortic valve disease was assessed in patients prior to valve replacement. 31 patients were studied. 19 patients had aortic stenosis (AS), 3 had aortic insufficiency (AI), and 10 had mixed lesions. OPG was positive in 15 patients (48%). Considering all forms of aortic valve disease, the likelihood that a positive OPG was indicative of AS with a gradient of greater than 60 mmHg was significant (P = .002). Of 18 patients with AS alone, no patient with a valve gradient greater than 60 mmHg had a negative OPG (P = .0001). OPG became normal in 11 of 12 patients restudied postoperatively. Critical aortic stenosis results in uneven distribution of blood flow into the brachiocephalic vessels. OPG accurately identifies this effect which becomes evident at aortic valve gradients greater than 60 mmHg.