Retrobulbar hemodynamics during healthy and preeclamptic pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to evaluate retrobulbar hemodynamics during healthy and preeclamptic pregnancy. Methods: We studied retrobulbar hemodynamics in 21 healthy pregnant, 20 preeclamptic and 21 non-pregnant fertile women. The peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity and resistivity index (RI) of the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA) and posterior ciliary artery (PCA) were measured by color Doppler imaging. Results: The systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the preeclamptic women (155±8.5 and 105±7.5 mmHg, respectively) were significantly higher than those of healthy pregnant women (110±5.5 and 70±7.5 mmHg, respectively, p=0.008). The RI values of OA, CRA and PCA in healthy pregnant women were significantly lower than those of the non-pregnant women. The RI of the CRA and PCA in preeclamptic women were significantly higher than those of healthy pregnant women. Although there was no statistical significant difference, the RI of the OA was lower in preeclamptic women than healthy pregnant women. Conclusion: Resistance of all retrobulbar arteries decreased during healthy pregnancy. On the other hand, increased resistance was detected in PCA and CRA, besides the nonsignificant decrease in OA during preeclamptic pregnancy. Different auto regulator control mechanisms in response to hypertension seem to be responsible for the different conducts of different sized arteries of orbita during preeclamptic pregnancy. ©Copyright 2012 by Gazi University Medical Faculty.