Effects of bisoprolol and cilazapril on the central retinal artery blood flow in patients with essential hypertension--preliminary results.
BACKGROUND
A growing body of evidence suggests that effective blood pressure reduction may inhibit the progression of microvascular damage in patients with essential arterial hypertension. However, the potential influence of anti-hypertensive drugs on ocular circulation has not been studied sufficiently.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of anti-hypertensive therapy on blood flow in the central retinal artery in patients with systemic arterial hypertension.


METHODS
Twenty patients with essential arterial hypertension, aged 32-46 years, were examined with Doppler ultrasonography (10 MHz ultrasound probe). Blood flow velocities, pulsatility, and vascular resistance were determined before and 3 hours after systemic application of either bisoprolol 5 mg or cilazapril 2.5 mg.


RESULTS
Administered bisoprolol significantly decreased maximum (9.8 ± 0.5 cm/s versus 8.5 ± 0.6 cm/s; P < 0.05) and minimum (2.75 ± 0.19 cm/s versus 1.75 ± 0.27 cm/s; P < 0.02) velocity, increased the Pourcellot's index (0.71 to 0.79; P < 0.05) in central retinal artery. There were no statistically significant changes in central retinal artery blood flow after administration of cilazapril.


CONCLUSIONS
Systemic application of beta-blockers may unfavourably disturb the ocular blood flow.
Madej
Andrzej
A
Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland. andrzejmadej@o2.pl
Gierek-Ciaciura
Stanisława
S
Haberka
Maciej
M
Lekston-Madej
Joanna
J
Basiak
Marcin
M
Domańska
Olga
O
Okopień
Bogusław
B
D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017298:Bisoprolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D017315:Cilazapril / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D017315:Cilazapril; D017298:Bisoprolol