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Effects of moxaverine on ocular blood flow in patients with age‐related macular degeneration, patients with primary open angle glaucoma and in healthy controls
Author(s) -
PEMP B,
GARHOFER G,
LASTA M,
SCHMIDL D,
SCHMETTERER L
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2009.2424.x
Subject(s) - medicine , blood flow , ophthalmology , macular degeneration , optic nerve , ciliary arteries , central retinal artery , glaucoma , hemodynamics , open angle glaucoma , perfusion , retinal , ophthalmic artery , anesthesia
Abstract Purpose Several common eye diseases including age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) are associated with ocular perfusion abnormalities. Moxaverine has been shown to increase ocular blood flow in young, healthy volunteers after intravenous administration. The present study investigated whether moxaverine alters ocular blood flow in elderly patients with AMD or POAG and in healthy control subjects. Methods 20 patients with AMD, 20 patients with POAG and 20 age‐matched healthy subjects were included in this trial. 150 mg moxaverine (Ursapharm, Saarbrücken, Germany) was administered intravenously over 30 minutes. Systemic haemodynamics, retinal vessel diameters, choroidal, optic nerve head and retrobulbar blood flow were measured before and up to 90 minutes after drug administration. Results Administration of moxaverine increased choroidal blood flow by 8.7 ± 21.8% (p=0.012) and optic nerve head blood flow by 12.9 ± 33.3% (p=0.021). Additionally, an increase in the mean flow velocities of posterior ciliary arteries (24.8 ± 34.7%, p<0.001) and in the ophthalmic artery (23.3 ± 33.5%, p<0.001) was found after administration of moxaverine. However, no differences were found between the 3 study groups. No significant change of retinal vessel diameters was observed. Conclusion The present study indicates an increase of ocular blood flow after systemic administration of a single dose of moxaverine in patients with POAG, patients with AMD and in age‐matched healthy controls. Further studies are needed to investigate possible beneficial effects after long‐term treatment in patients with ocular diseases associated with hypoperfusion.