Glaucoma is associated with peripheral vascular endothelial dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate peripheral vascular endothelial function in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) using noninvasive endothelium-dependent flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD).


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Thirty patients with NTG, 30 with POAG, and 30 healthy age- and gender-matched controls.


METHODS
Participants underwent measurement of FMD and endothelium-independent nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilation (NMD) via high-resolution 2-dimensional ultrasonographic imaging of the brachial artery. All patients also underwent blood sampling for biochemistry, lipid profile, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein analysis.


METHODS
The association of FMD with NTG and POAG.


RESULTS
The FMD values differed significantly between the patients with NTG, those with POAG, and controls: NTG, 2.70+/-2.25%; POAG, 5.33+/-2.81%; controls, 7.21+/-2.36%; P<0.001. In comparison with the POAG group and normal controls, the NTG group demonstrated markedly impaired FMD. The POAG group exhibited higher intermediate FMD than the NTG group (P<0.001) but significantly lower FMD than normal controls (P = 0.012). Multivariate analysis indicated that independent predictors for impaired FMD were presence of NTG, presence of POAG, and advanced age. Additionally, FMD values were significantly lower in glaucoma patients than in controls (4.02+/-2.85% vs. 7.21+/-2.36%; P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with glaucoma have impaired FMD. Additionally, patients with NTG have lower FMD than those with POAG.
Su
Wei-Wen
WW
Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Cheng
Shih-Tsung
ST
Ho
Wan-Jing
WJ
Tsay
Pei-Kwei
PK
Wu
Shiu-Chen
SC
Chang
Shirley H L
SH
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001824:Body Constitution; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
D008055:Lipids; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005996:Nitroglycerin