Reversal of blood flow in experimental branch retinal vein occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate that the obstructed vascular lumen of the experimentally induced branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) induces retrograde blood flow, resulting in flow from the occluded vein to the feeder arterioles.


METHODS
Photocoagulation was used to create occlusion of the branch retinal vein in a monkey model (n = 2; 1 cynomolgus, 1 rhesus). Twenty-four hours following photocoagulation, the eyes were examined for evidence of vascular occlusive disease. Vascular occlusion was proven by fluorescent vesicle angiography with scanning laser ophthalmoscopy; these results were recorded to SVHS videotape. The images were then serially analyzed frame by frame to track individual microsphere movement.


RESULTS
The authors observed retrograde flow proximal to the point of vessel obstruction and extending backward into the arterial system.


CONCLUSIONS
This demonstrates the existence of retrograde flow in an experimental model of BRVO and might explain vascular complications seen in this disease process.
LSU Eye Center, Louisiana State University Medical Center School of Medicine 70112-2234, USA.
G A
GA
Peyman
B
B
Khoobehi
A
A
Moshfeghi
D
D
Moshfeghi
D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012169:Retinal Vein / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000503:physiopathology*