[Effects of buflomedil and naftidrofuryl on the human cochlear microcirculation measured by laser-Doppler]

The aim of this study was to assess the effects on cochlear blood flow measured by laser-Doppler of two vasoactive agents known for their supposed effectiveness in the presbyacousy treatment (buflomedil, naftidrofuryl), 16 patients undergoing acoustic neurinoma surgery were studied. Cochlear blood flow (CBF) was continuously recorded after the head of the probe was inserted into the internal ear through the round window. Systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and heart rate (HR) were continuously recorded via an arterial cannula. Hemodynamic variations due to buflomedil (400 mg in bolus) and to naftidrofuryl (200 mg in bolus) were compared with those of sodium nitroprusside (500 micrograms in bolus) in each case with anova. Buflomedil did not alter CBF (0%), SAP (+0.14 +/- 1.7%), HR (+3.4 +/- 3.4%). Naftidrofuryl provoked a significant decrease (P < 0.05) of CBF (-14.5 +/- 7.55%), SAP (-13.7 +/- 4%), and a significant increase (P < 0.05) of HR (+8.5 +/- 3.5%); there is a relationship between CBF and SAP (r = 0.88 P < 0.05). NPS provoked a significant decrease (P < 0.01) of CBF (-34.7 +/- 7.7%) SAP (-26.8 +/- 5.4%) and a significant increase (P < 0.01) of HR(+14.7 +/- 7.3%) in the same way of naftidrofuryl (P < 0.01). In conclusion, human cochlear microcirculation depends upon pharmacological hemodynamic variations such as animal models or middle ear microcirculation. If buflomedil did not alter it, naftidrofuryl provoked a reduction by a direct vasodilator effect inducing hypotension like sodium nitroprusside.