A sex specific approach of ophthalmic and middle cerebral arteries Doppler in smokers.

Vascular dysfunctions can progress and lead to stroke and cardiovascular disease, especially in smokers. The presence of particular vascular changes according to sex has been described and they can be identified by the Doppler method. This study evaluated Doppler velocimetry parameters of the Ophthalmic Artery (OA) and the Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) according to sex in smokers regarding a non-smoker group. This cross-sectional observational study included 178 subjects: 93 women and 85 men. Doppler parameters were assessed in OA and MCA. Student's t-test was used, with p < 0.05. There were no significant differences in OA and MCA Doppler velocimetry data between male non-smokers and smokers. However, female smokers presented several differences compared with non-smokers: lower pulsatility index (PI) and higher peak ratio in OA, and higher PI and resistance index and lower end diastolic velocity in MCA. There were different brain vascular waveforms in the group of female smokers compared with non-smokers. Cigarette smoking also led to opposite arterial patterns in OA and MCA in the female group, with signs of falling impedance in OA and increased impedance in MCA. An individualized approach regarding arterial changes according to sex is desirable.

Chronic perfusion changes and reduction in preeclampsia incidence in pregnant smokers: an ophthalmic artery Doppler study.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the hemodynamic profile of the ophthalmic artery in preeclamptic women, pregnant smokers and pregnant controls with no known diseases. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cross-sectional study using the performed ophthalmic artery Doppler ultrasonography in 20 mild preeclamptic women and 20 severe preeclamptic women, 37 pregnant smokers and 51 controls. Data evaluated by using Doppler ultrasonography were as follows: resistance index, pulsatility index, peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, second peak systolic velocity and peak ratio. The Doppler results, gestational age, patient age and systolic and diastolic pressure of groups were subjected to analysis of variance (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Both groups of preeclamptic women presented significant orbital hyperperfusion (resistance index: 0.64 ± 0.07 and 0.64 ± 0.13, pulsatility index:1.10 ± 0.26 and 1.02 ± 0.30, end diastolic velocity:14.13 ± 4.44 and 15.66 ± 4.17), whereas pregnant smokers showed vasospasm (0.84 ± 0.04, 2.27 ± 0.43, 4.78 ± 1.28, respectively) indicating divergent vascular pattern between these two groups (p < 0.01) and differences between each group and controls (0.78 ± 0.06, 1.89 ± 0.36, 7.43 ± 2.71), respectively, p < 0.01. Peak systolic velocity mean values for severe preeclamptic women was 40.36 ± 5.61 cm/s, significantly higher than in all groups (34.53 ± 6.82 cm/s, 31.03 ± 4.72 cm/s and 34.35 ± 6.43 cm/s). CONCLUSION: Preeclamptic women have presented hyperperfusion whereas chronic smokers have shown hypoperfusion in ophthalmic artery. Thus, chronic flow changes in pregnant smokers might reduce the number of sudden and catastrophic events in preeclampsia.