Abnormal flow-mediated vasodilation in normal-tension glaucoma using a noninvasive determination for peripheral endothelial dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
To assess peripheral vascular endothelial function in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) by using a noninvasive method: endothelium-dependent flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD).


METHODS
Forty patients with NTG and 40 healthy age- and sex-matched normal control subjects underwent measurement of FMD and endothelium-independent nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilation (NMD) via high-resolution, two-dimensional (2D) ultrasonographic imaging of the brachial artery. The patients also underwent blood sampling for biochemistry, lipid profile, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) analysis.


RESULTS
The NTG group exhibited significant impairment of FMD compared with the control group (NTG: 2.64% +/- 2.22%, control: 5.96% +/- 2.50%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of NTG was the strongest independent predictor of FMD. The lipid profile and hsCRP did not differ significantly between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated impaired FMD in patients with NTG and the results provide evidence of a generalized peripheral vascular endothelial dysfunction in patients with NTG.
Su
Wei-Wen
WW
Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
Cheng
Shih-Tsung
ST
Hsu
Tsu-Shiu
TS
Ho
Wan-Jing
WJ
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D005996:Nitroglycerin