Eye vascular hemodynamics in patients with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy after surgery with application of the Alloplant biomaterial

Purpose: To study the optic nerve vascular hemodynamics in patients with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) before and after application of the Alloplant biomaterial.

Methods: The ultrasound diagnostic system General Electric Ultrasound Logic 7 (U. S.) was used to study hemodynamics. The study was initially conducted before the intervention and after the insertion of the Alloplant biomaterial in subtenon space in a retrobulbar way in the period from 3 to 6 months. The qualitative and quantitative parameters were determined: peak systolic flow velocity (Vmax), final diastolic velocity (Vmin), the index of peripheral resistance to blood flow (resistance index — RI), pulsation index (PI). According to cluster analysis there were four typological groups of cases, characterized by originality of RI changes in all six vessels in general.

Results: The diagrams show that significant intergroup differences in postoperative RI changes occurred in the medial and lateral branches of short posterior ciliary artery. The most apparent RI decrease in these two arteries in the first typological group: in short posterior ciliary artery medial branch (–0.542±0.080) and in lateral branch reducing RI (–0.415±0.185). However, a comparable (–0.323±0.099) and not significantly different (p>0.09) level of RI reduction occurred in the second typological group. In the fourth typological group (20 cases), the maximum RI drop in medial branch of short posterior ciliary artery was –0.228±0.071.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the use of the Alloplant biomaterial in treating patients with AION consequences
improves blood flow in vessels of the optic nerve (in the central retinal artery and more in short posterior ciliary artery with its branches) and can be recommended as a fairly effective AION treatment.

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