Abstract:

Aim: The aim of this study was to obtain information about reactivity differences in ophthalmic artery (OA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) presented as a change in blood flow velocity (BFV) induced by the breath holding in healthy individuals. Methods: Cerebral vasomotor reactivity (VMR) is interpreted indirectly with the increase in the BFV detected in the basal arteries, secondary to a vasodilatory stimulus as breath holding. Bilateral MCA and OA were evaluated by using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in 15 volunteers. Results: The basal velocities obtained from MCAs and from bilateral OA were symmetrical and did not change according to the side (p>0.05). The ratio of MCA to OA flow velocities had no significant difference between the sides (p>0.05). The OA flow velocities were significantly lower than the ipsilateral MCA flow velocities. Breath-holding index (BHI) was used to evaluate the VMR. Although the BHI values were not symmetrical and statistically different between the sides (p>0.05), the difference between the ipsilateral MCA BHI and OA BHI was significant (p<0.05). We determined the ratio of MCA VMR to OA artery VMR as 1.47±0.15. Conclusion: We found out that the VMR measurement with the BHI method could be used in the OA and VMR in the OA was decreased compared to the MCA on the same side. Future studies on OA VMR in patients with different degrees of carotid stenosis and determination of changes in the OA VMR as a result of angioplasty or stenting will provide valuable information.

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