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Measurement of choroidal perfusion and thickness following systemic sildenafil (Viagra ® )
Author(s) -
Kim David Y.,
Silverman Ronald H.,
Chan Robison Ver Paul,
Khanifar Aziz A.,
Rondeau Mark,
Lloyd Harriet,
Schlegel Peter,
Coleman Donald Jackson
Publication year - 2013
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.1755-3768.2011.02305.x
Subject(s) - sildenafil , medicine , choroid , perfusion , ophthalmology , ultrasound , optical coherence tomography , blood flow , nuclear medicine , retina , radiology , optics , physics
Abstract. Purpose: To demonstrate anatomic and physiologic changes in the human choroid following systemic sildenafil citrate (Viagra®) using enhanced depth imaging spectral domain–optical coherence tomography (EDI‐OCT) and swept‐scan high‐frequency digital ultrasound. Methods: Seven healthy male subjects (mean age 32.7 years) were evaluated at baseline and 2 hr after ingesting 50 mg of sildenafil. Swept‐scan high‐frequency digital ultrasound and EDI‐OCT were utilized to measure choroidal perfusion and thickness, respectively. Results were read by masked observers. The Wilcoxon signed‐rank test and t‐ test were used to analyse differences in choroidal flow and thickness at baseline and 2 hr after ingestion of sildenafil. Results: Two hours following sildenafil, increased choroidal perfusion was observed in 11 of 12 eyes measured by swept‐scan high‐frequency digital ultrasound. The mean increase was 3.46 (±2.00) times baseline with a range of 0.47–7.80 times baseline (p = 0.004). Increased choroidal thickness was observed in 12 of 12 eyes measured with EDI‐OCT. The average choroidal thickness increased by 11.6% temporal to the fovea, 9.3% nasal to the fovea and 10.7% underneath the fovea (p < 0.001 for all values). Conclusions: Choroidal perfusion and thickness both increase in response to systemic sildenafil. These changes could secondarily affect retinal function, explain previously reported clinical symptoms and potentially be a useful adjunct for treatment of ocular diseases that would benefit from increased choroidal blood flow.