Abstract

P 013

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome and systemic endothelial dysfunction

Naji M.¹, Naji F.², Šuran D.², Gračner T.¹ Pahor D.^1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Teaching Hospital Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia; ²Department of Cardiology, Teaching Hospital Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia

Objective: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEXS) is a common age related disorder of exstracellular matrix. It may affect up to 30% of people older than 60 years. PEXS is biomicroscopically diagnosed by abnormal fibrillar deposits on ocular structures of the anterior segment. Aggregates of PEXS material were identified by electron microscopy in autopsy specimens of heart, liver, lungs, brain and blood vessels. The purpose of our study was to disclose, whether there is vascular endothelial dysfunction in PEXS patients. This could mean, that patients with PEXS have bigger risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Methods: We prospectively examined 24 patients with PEXS and 26 age and sex matched individuals in control group. Brachial artery endothelial function was assessed by response to flow mediated dilatation and nitroglycerin (NTG)-mediated dilatation using high resolution ultrasound. Dilatation was expressed as the percent change in diameter relative to baseline diameter.
Results: Patients with PEXS had significantly lower flow mediated dilatation (2.2±2.8 versus 5.0±2.5 in the control group). NTG mediated dilatation in PEXS patients was lower than in control group, but the difference was statistically insignificant .
Conclusions: Our study showed statistically significant association between PEXS and systemic vascular endothelial dysfunction. Bigger, clinical studies are needed to prove greater cardiovascular risk in PEXS patients.

Copyright: Porstmann Kongresse GmbH. All rights reserved. Impressum, Disclaimer.