[Blood flow measurement in the optic nerve head during isometric exercise].
OBJECTIVE
Autoregulation of optic nerve head blood flow (Fonh) in response to decreases in perfusion pressure has been demonstrated in animals and humans. The aim of this study was to determine change in Fonh when systemic blood pressure is increased.


METHODS
Blood flow parameters, i.e. relative mean velocity, number, and flux of red blood cells in the ONH tissue (Velonh, Volonh and Fonh, respectively) were measured by laser Doppler flowmetry in one eye of 13 normal subjects (aged 16 to 58 years), at baseline, during, and after isometric exercises consisting of squatting. Brachial artery blood pressure was measured by sphygmomanometry. IOP was measured at baseline and at the end of squatting.


RESULTS
During squatting mean arterial pressure increased from 103 +/- 6 mm Hg to 139 +/- 58 mm Hg (average +/- 95% confidence interval), IOP increased from 13 +/- 0.5 to 17 +/- 1 mm Hg. An average increase in PPm from 56 +/- 4 to 80 +/- 7 mm Hg induced no significant (p > 0.05) change in the blood flow parameters. The sensitivity (detection threshold) of the blood flow changes was 8%.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows for the first time in human autoregulation of Fonh when PPm is increased by increasing the systemic blood pressure.
Institut de Recherche en Ophtalmolgie, Sion.
A
A
Movaffaghy
C E
CE
Riva
B L
BL
Petrig
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000098:blood supply*