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本研究採用結紮眼血管的方法誘發短暫性視網膜缺血，針對同缺血時間同存活時間化成年金黄地鼠中視網膜節細胞的存活和小型膠質細胞的激活。首先，我們的據顯示，和假缺血手術組相對應的存活時間比較，暫時性視網膜缺血10分鐘或30分鐘沒有導致視網膜節細胞的存活明顯下。暫時性視網膜缺血60分鐘再灌注後7天，視網膜節細胞的存活下至58%，14後為51%，28後為44%。暫時性視網膜缺血120分鐘之後再灌注7天，視網膜節細胞的存活急劇下，僅保22%，至14天，僅剩17%, 之後節細胞的死亡速減緩，至28天時，仍由18%存活。視網膜缺血10分鐘、30分鐘、60分鐘和120分鐘均引起大小型膠質細胞激活，激活在第七天達到頂峰，之後在14天和28天顯著並逐步下。相關性分析發現損傷後7天，視網膜節細胞的死亡和視網膜節細胞層中的小型膠質細胞存在緊密的相關性。 / 其次，我們首次證實缺血性預處僅有於提高視網膜節細胞對抗視網膜缺血/再灌注損傷，還對視神經斷後的視網膜節細胞同樣具有保護作用。結果顯示無是5分鐘還是10分鐘的缺血性預處，無是軸突橫斷術前1天還是前3天實施預處，都對視網膜節細胞有明顯的保護作用。在缺血性預處對抗神經橫斷損傷的實驗組, 的表達只表現在陽性細胞上的明顯優勢，但占全部存活細胞的百分比存在差；而缺血性預處對抗視網膜缺血再灌注損傷的實驗組，的陽性節細胞的無論還是存活百分比都存在差。在預處組和假處組的比較中， 的表達也只是陽性細胞上較多，占全部存活細胞的百分比存在差。在缺血性預處加視網膜缺血分鐘的實驗組中，我們測視網膜矢片中各層的厚。結果顯示，缺血性預處組中，視網膜的整體厚和節細胞層的厚都與正常組相當，而假處組中，這層的厚明顯減少。 / 進一步地，我們研究遠端缺血性後處對視網膜節細胞對抗視神經軸突橫斷術的保護作用。我們選用鉗夾右股動脈作為遠端缺血性後處的方法，鉗夾股動脈分鐘，之後放開，再鉗夾再放開，共個循環。結果顯示，軸突橫斷術后分鐘實施缺血性后處組，視網膜節細胞的存活較假處組明顯增加，包括術後天和天；軸突橫斷術后小時實施缺血性後處組，視網膜節細胞的存活只在術後天較假處組明顯較多，但在天的實驗組，者的差消失；軸突橫斷術小時實施缺血性後處組，視網膜節細胞的存活比假處組多。在缺血性後處的實驗中，視神經橫斷術后分鐘實施遠端缺血性後處的實驗組與假處組比較，的表達僅表現在陽性細胞上的明顯增加，而且占全部存活細胞的百分比也明顯增加。的表達與預處實驗組的結果相似，只存在上的優勢。 / 我们的實驗證明，缺血性預處在對抗視神經橫斷和視網膜缺血的損傷中，可以為節細胞提供有效的保護作用，遠端缺血性後處可以對抗視神經橫斷損傷提高節細胞的存活。陽性節細胞在三個同條件的實驗中，表現出同的結果，这可能暗示遠端缺血性後處對抗視神經橫斷術的損傷，節細胞的再生能較優，與遠端缺血性後處對抗視神經橫斷術的神經保護作用有一定關。的表達在三個實驗組中，處組與假處組比較，均只表現出陽性細胞上的優勢，占存活細胞的百分比就存在差，可能意味著與缺血性預處和後處的保護作用關係不大。 / Ligature of the ophthalmic vessels (LOV) was used as an animal model to study transient retinal ischemia/reperfusion in adult hamsters. Firstly, we quantified the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and activation of microglia after10 min, 30 min, 60 min or 120 min retinal ischemia at 7, 14 and 28 days post-ischemia. The results showed that after 10-min or 30-min retinal ischemia, the number of RGCs had no significant decrease compared to sham LOV group at 7 days. In the retinal ischemia 60 min group, there were 58% of the RGCs population remained alive at 7 days, 51% at 14 days and 44% at 28 days post-ischemia, respectively. In the retinal ischemia 120 min group, the number of RGCs was reduced to 22% at 7 days and 17% at 14 days, but cell death slowed down from 14 to 28 days. Meanwhile, the number of microglia was increased sharply at 7 days and decreased gradually from 7 to 28 days. At the same time, it was found that the loss of RGCs and activation of microglia in the ganglion cell layer at 7 days post-insult existed strong positive correlation. / Secondly, the effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) were proved to promote RGCs survival after axotomy or retinal ischemia 120 min. It was presented firstly that a 5 or 10 min brief IPC which performed 1 or 3 days prior to axotomy enhanced the RGCs survival at 7 days and 14 days post-axotomy. The number of HSP27-positive RGCs was significantly higher in the IPC plus axotomy subgroup compared with the sham-operated subgroup, while the percentage of HSP27-positive RGCs did not show significant difference between subgroups. For the IPC plus retinal ischemia 60 min group, both the number and the percentage of HSP27-positive RGCs had no significant difference between IPC and sham-operated subgroups. The number of HSP70-positive RGCs exhibited significant difference but not the percentage in IPC plus axotomy or retinal ischemia 60 min experimental groups. The thicknesses of the whole retina and GCL were similar to the normal value in the IPC plus ischemia 60 min subgroup, while in the sham-operated subgroup, these two values decreased significantly. / Consequently, the effect of remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPostC) was also explored to promote RGCs survival after axotomy. Four cycles of 10 min occlusion and 10 min release of the right femoral artery were initiated on animals at 10 min, 6 h or 24 h after axotomy. In the10 min group, the effect of RIPostC on promoting RGCs survival was significant at both 7 and 14 days post-injury. In the 6 h group, the survival of RGCs was more in the RIPostC treatment subgroup at 7 days, while there was no significant difference at 14 days post-axotomy. In the 24 h group, RGC survival was not significantly different at 7 days post-axotomy. Both the number and the percentage of HSP27-positive RGCs were significantly higher in the RIPostC treatment subgroup. The results of the induction of HSP70 only showed a priority in absolute number of the HSP70-positive RGCs in the RIPostC treatment subgroup. / In summary, the effect of IPC has been proved that it could protect RGCs against axotomy and retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury, in addition, the application of RIPostC also protected RGCs from axotomy. The proportion of HSP27-positive RGCs increased significantly in the process of RIPostC against axotomy, which may clue that the ability of axonal regeneration is stronger which induced by the RIPostC intervention. The upregulation of HSP27 might play a role in the neuroprotection of the RIPostC against axotomy. The expression of HSP70 maybe plays a little role in the neuroprotection of the IPC and RIPostC. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Liu, Xia. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 182-196). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Abstract in Chinese --- p.iv / Acknowledgements --- p.vii / Table of Abbreviations --- p.viii / Table of Contents --- p.ix / Chapter Chapter 1 --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Changes of retinal ganglion cells and microglia after different types of injuries / Introduction --- p.38 / Materials and Methods --- p.43 / Results --- p.49 / Discussion --- p.57 / Figures and tables --- p.71 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Ischemic preconditioning protect retinal ganglion cells against axotomy and retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury and expression of heat shock protein 27 and 70 / Introduction --- p.93 / Materials and Methods --- p.98 / Results --- p.103 / Discussion --- p.109 / Figures and tables --- p.116 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Remote ischemic postconditioning protect retinal ganglion cells against axotomy and expression of heat shock protein 27 and 70 / Introduction --- p.143 / Materials and Methods --- p.147 / Results --- p.150 / Discussion --- p.154 / Figures and tables --- p.161 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- General Discussion --- p.175 / References --- p.182

O objetivo é comparar o fluxo sanguíneo total (FS) e a reserva de fluxo coronariano (RFC) aos ramos revascularizados pelas artérias torácica interna esquerda (ATIE) e radial (AR) nos enxertos compostos com os enxertos isolados. Foi realizado um ensaio clínico randomizado de 42 pacientes que foram distribuídos em grupo A ou ATIE e AR composta em Y(n=14), grupo B ou ATIE e AR composta modificada(n=14) e grupo C ou ATIE pediculada para DA e AR aorto-coronariana(n=14). Os pacientes foram submetidos a fluxometria no pós-operatório imediato. A RFC foi de 2,1 ± 0,44, 1,96 ± 0,3 e 2,06±0,42 nos grupos A,B e C, (p=0.7208 A, B x C) e o FS, em ml/min, foi 110±30, 145±59 e 136±58, respectivamente (p=0.3232 A,B x C). Concluindo, não houve diferença significativa do FS total e nem da RFC nos grupos estudados / The objective is to compare the total blood flow (Bf) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) to the left coronary branches that were revascularized with left internal thoracic (LITA) and radial artery (RA) in composite and independent arterial grafts. A randomized trial was realized and 42 patients assigned in group A or composite LITA-RA in a Y configuration (n=14), group B or modified composite LITA-RA(n=14) and group C or pedicled LITA to LAD and aorto-coronary RA (n=14). Patients were submitted to postoperative Bf velocity analysis. CFR was 2,1 ± 0,44, 1,96 ± 0,3 e 2,06±0,42 in groups A,B and C (p=0.7208 A, B x C) and Bf, in ml/min, was 110±30, 145±59 and 136±58, respectively (p=0.3232 A, B x C). In conclusion there was no difference in Bf and CFR in the groups studied

O objetivo é comparar o fluxo sanguíneo total (FS) e a reserva de fluxo coronariano (RFC) aos ramos revascularizados pelas artérias torácica interna esquerda (ATIE) e radial (AR) nos enxertos compostos com os enxertos isolados. Foi realizado um ensaio clínico randomizado de 42 pacientes que foram distribuídos em grupo A ou ATIE e AR composta em Y(n=14), grupo B ou ATIE e AR composta modificada(n=14) e grupo C ou ATIE pediculada para DA e AR aorto-coronariana(n=14). Os pacientes foram submetidos a fluxometria no pós-operatório imediato. A RFC foi de 2,1 ± 0,44, 1,96 ± 0,3 e 2,06±0,42 nos grupos A,B e C, (p=0.7208 A, B x C) e o FS, em ml/min, foi 110±30, 145±59 e 136±58, respectivamente (p=0.3232 A,B x C). Concluindo, não houve diferença significativa do FS total e nem da RFC nos grupos estudados / The objective is to compare the total blood flow (Bf) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) to the left coronary branches that were revascularized with left internal thoracic (LITA) and radial artery (RA) in composite and independent arterial grafts. A randomized trial was realized and 42 patients assigned in group A or composite LITA-RA in a Y configuration (n=14), group B or modified composite LITA-RA(n=14) and group C or pedicled LITA to LAD and aorto-coronary RA (n=14). Patients were submitted to postoperative Bf velocity analysis. CFR was 2,1 ± 0,44, 1,96 ± 0,3 e 2,06±0,42 in groups A,B and C (p=0.7208 A, B x C) and Bf, in ml/min, was 110±30, 145±59 and 136±58, respectively (p=0.3232 A, B x C). In conclusion there was no difference in Bf and CFR in the groups studied

Introdução: O aumento da pressão intracraniana (PIC) é um problema comum na prática neurocirúrgica, e a monitoração invasiva deste parâmetro faz parte da rotina de unidades de terapia intensiva. O Doppler transcraniano vem sendo testado na avaliação da hemodinâmica cerebral como parâmetro de avaliação não invasiva da PIC, porém há controvérsias na literatura sobre seu real benefício e utilidade nesta situação. Este estudo objetivou correlacionar os dados de avaliação do fluxo sanguíneo cerebral através da técnica de Doppler com as variações da monitoração invasiva da PIC na fase aguda de hipertensão intracraniana em um modelo animal. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo experimental realizado em suínos. O experimento constou de dois grupos de animais (A e B) com hipertensão intracraniana gerada por insuflação com soro fisiológico de um balão no parênquima cerebral, sendo o grupo A com 4 mL e o grupo B com 7 mL. Nos dois grupos houve uma intervenção clínica com infusão de solução salina a 3% e uma simulação de intervenção cirúrgica (desinsuflação do balão). Em todos os momentos de insuflação do balão e das intervenções foram registrados os valores dos monitores de PIC e do Doppler: velocidades sistólica (VS), diastólica (VD), média (VM) do fluxo sanguíneo cerebral e índice de pulsatilidade (IP). Foram realizadas comparações do comportamento dos parâmetros avaliados pela ultrassonografia Doppler craniana (VS, VD, VM e IP) em relação às variações da PIC intraparenquimatosa. Resultados: Foram estudados 20 suínos sendo 10 no grupo A e 10 no grupo B. Um animal do grupo B foi excluído do estudo, pois foi a óbito antes do término do experimento. Após a insuflação do balão, como era de se esperar, a PIC no grupo B foi superior à do grupo A em todos os momentos, até a desinsuflação do mesmo. Realizada a correlação de Spearman observou-se correlação significativa entre IP e PIC, principalmente logo após insuflação do balão, ou seja, na elevação abrupta da PIC. Não houve correlação entre a PIC e os parâmetros VS, VD e VM. Também não houve variação significativa da PIC após infusão endovenosa de solução salina hipertônica. Conclusão: Este resultado demonstra o potencial do IP como bom parâmetro de avaliação de pacientes com suspeita de elevação hiperaguda e recente da PIC. Não se conseguiu demonstrar os mesmos resultados de correlação entre a PIC e as demais variáveis VS, VD e VM. Diante destes achados, adicionados aos dados conflitantes da literatura disponível até o momento, não se recomenda, por enquanto, a utilização desses parâmetros isoladamente como substitutos da monitoração invasiva da PIC, evidenciando a necessidade de mais estudos clínicos e experimentais / Introduction: Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is a common problem in neurosurgical practice. Invasive monitoring of ICP in these cases is part of the intensive care unit routine. Transcranial Doppler has been tested in the evaluation of cerebral hemodynamics as a non-invasive evaluation of ICP, but there are controversies in the literature about its real benefit and usefulness in this situation. Thus, this study aimed to correlate the data of cerebral blood flow assessment using the Doppler technique and the invasive monitoring of ICP in the acute phase of intracranial hypertension in an animal model. Methods: This is an experimental study in pigs. During the experiment, an intracerebral expansive mass with an inflatable balloon was simulated. The experiment consisted of two groups (A and B) of animals with intracranial hypertension generated by a ballon inflation inside the cerebral parenchima, group A with 4 mL and group B with 7 mL. In both groups there was a clinical intervention with infusion of 3% saline solution and a simulation of surgical intervention (balloon drain out). The values of ICP and Doppler parameters (systolic (FVs), diastolic (FVd), and mean (FVm) cerebral blood flow velocities) were collected at all moments of balloon inflation and interventions, as well as the pulsatility index (PI). Comparisons of the behavior of the parameters evaluated by Doppler ultrasound (FVs, FVd, FVm and PI) were performed in relation to intraparenchymal ICP. Results: Twenty pigs were studied, 10 in group A and 10 in group B. One pig died in group B and it was excluded. After balloon inflation, as expected, ICP in group B was higher than in group A at all times, until the ballon was empty again. Significant correlation between PI and ICP was obtained when Spearman correlation was performed, mainly shortly after balloon inflation, that is, in the abrupt elevation of ICP. There was no correlation between ICP and FVs, FVd or FVm. There was also no significant change in ICP after intravenous infusion of hypertonic saline solution. Conclusion: These results demonstrate the potential of PI as a good parameter for the evaluation of patients with suspected ICP elevation. It was not possible to demonstrate the same correlation results between the ICP and FVs, FVd or FVm. Due to these results and also to the literature conflicting data to date, the use of these parameters alone as substitutes for the invasive monitoring of ICP is not recommended until now, which shows the need for further clinical and experimental studies

Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (INPH) is a condition affecting gait, cognition and continence. Radiological examination reveals enlarged ventricles of the brain. A shunt that drains CSF from the ventricles to the abdomen often improves the symptoms. Much research on INPH has been focused on identifying tests that predict the outcome after shunt surgery. As part of this quest, there are attempts to find measurement methods of intracranial parameters that are valid, reliable, tolerable and safe for patients. Today's technologies for intracranial pressure (ICP) measurement are invasive, often requiring a burr-hole in the skull. Recently, a method for non-invasive ICP measurements was suggested: the Pulsatile Index (PI) calculated from transcranial Doppler data assessed from the middle cerebral artery. In this thesis the relation between PI and ICP was explored in INPH patients during controlled ICP regulation by lumbar infusion. The confidence interval for predicted ICP, based on measured PI was too large for the method to be of clinical utility. In the quest for better predictive tests for shunt success in INPH, recent studies have shown promising results with criteria based on cardiac related ICP wave amplitudes. The brain ventricular system, and the fluid surrounding the spinal cord are in contact. In this thesis it was shown that ICP waves could be measured via lumbar subarachnoid space, with a slight underestimation. One of the cardinal symptoms of hydrocephalus is cognitive impairment. Neuropsychological studies have demonstrated cognitive tests that are impaired and improve after shunt surgery in INPH patients. However, there is currently no standardized test battery and different studies use different tests. In response, in this thesis a fully automated computerized neuropsychological test battery was developed. The validity, reliability, responsiveness to improvement after shunt surgery and feasibility for testing INPH patients was demonstrated. It was also demonstrated that INPH patients were impaired in all subtests, compared to healthy elderly.

A prematuridade está associada com uma alta incidência de complicações no período neonatal sendo uma das mais importantes a retinopatia da prematuridade (ROP) e suas seqüelas: ambliopia, estrabismo, cegueira. Estudos indicam que alterações no fluxo sanguíneo retiniano estão envolvidas na patogênese da ROP causando um crescimento vascular anormal dos vasos da retina. A análise por ultrassonografia Doppler (USD) dos vasos da órbita permite uma estimativa do fluxo sanguíneo local. Objetivo: estabelecer valores de velocidade do fluxo sanguíneo e de seus índices na artéria oftálmica em recém-nascidos pré-termos de muito baixo peso (RNPTMBP) "saudáveis" do nascimento até a alta. Metodologia: Coorte de recémnascidos pré-termos de muito baixo peso, nascidos na UTI Neonatal do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) no período de agosto de 2006 a abril de 2008. Foram obtidas as medidas de velocidade sistólica (VS), velocidade diastólica (VD), índice de pulsatilidade (IP) e índice de resistência (IR) da artéria oftálmica por USD nas primeiras 24 horas de vida, com sete dias, com 28 dias e no momento da alta hospitalar. Incluímos RN com peso de nascimento abaixo de 1500 gramas e idade gestacional <= 32 semanas, sem ROP graus 2 e 3, e sem hemorragia peri-intraventricular (HPIV) graus 3 e 4. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando teste t pareado e análise de variância (ANOVA). Resultados: Foram estudados 46 RNPTMBP (92 olhos examinados). No primeiro exame os valores em média do fluxo sanguíneo e índices da artéria oftálmica foram: VS 18,42 cm/s; VD 6,22 cm/s; IP 1,40; IR 0,70 e com 28 dias de vida: VS 22,38 cm/s; VD 6,97 cm/s; IP 1,51; IR 0,75 (p<0.001). Não houve diferença significativa entre as medidas obtidas no olho direito e no esquerdo, e entre primeiro e segundo exames. Da mesma forma, as medidas obtidas com 28 dias de vida foram similares aquelas no momento da alta hospitalar. Conclusão: Ocorre uma elevação nas velocidades de fluxo sanguíneo da artéria oftálmica do período pós-natal até a alta em recémnascidos pré-termo de muito baixo peso de nascimento "saudáveis". Os índices calculados não mostraram diferença estatisticamente significativa. O conhecimento deste padrão normal poderá auxiliar na prevenção e no screening para detecção de doença ocular. / Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial disease of very low birth weight infants (VLBWI), and the vascular component has an important role. Evaluation of retinal blood flow is essential to understand its physiopathology. Objective: To establish normal blood flow velocity and Doppler indices of the ophthalmic arteries from birth to discharge of "healthy" VLBWI.Methods: Cohort study of newborns with birth weight < 1500 grams and gestational age <= 32 weeks born at our Hospital from August 2006 to April 2008. Doppler ultrasound exam was done in both eyes in the first 24 hours after birth, at 7 and 28 days old, and at hospital discharge for systolic velocity (SV), diastolic velocity (DV), pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI). We excluded those with ROP stage 2 and higher, periintraventricular hemorrhage grades 3 and 4, and death. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t test and repeated measures ANOVA. The study was approved by our Ethic Committee.Results: 46 VLBWI (92 eyes) were studied. First exam: SV 18.40 cm/s; DV 6.23 cm/s; PI 1.41; RI 0.70 and 28 days after birth: SV 22.30 cm/s; DV 6.77 cm/s; PI 1,50; RI 0.75 ( p<0.001). Both eyes had similar Doppler findings at all examined moments. SV and DV increased significantly from the first 24 hours to hospital discharge. There were no significant changes during the study period in PI and RI. Conclusions: There was a increase of SV and DV retinal blood flow from birth to hospital discharge in "healthy" VLBWI; other Doppler measurements were stable. Knowing this normal pattern will provide prevention and screening for ROP.

A prematuridade está associada com uma alta incidência de complicações no período neonatal sendo uma das mais importantes a retinopatia da prematuridade (ROP) e suas seqüelas: ambliopia, estrabismo, cegueira. Estudos indicam que alterações no fluxo sanguíneo retiniano estão envolvidas na patogênese da ROP causando um crescimento vascular anormal dos vasos da retina. A análise por ultrassonografia Doppler (USD) dos vasos da órbita permite uma estimativa do fluxo sanguíneo local. Objetivo: estabelecer valores de velocidade do fluxo sanguíneo e de seus índices na artéria oftálmica em recém-nascidos pré-termos de muito baixo peso (RNPTMBP) "saudáveis" do nascimento até a alta. Metodologia: Coorte de recémnascidos pré-termos de muito baixo peso, nascidos na UTI Neonatal do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) no período de agosto de 2006 a abril de 2008. Foram obtidas as medidas de velocidade sistólica (VS), velocidade diastólica (VD), índice de pulsatilidade (IP) e índice de resistência (IR) da artéria oftálmica por USD nas primeiras 24 horas de vida, com sete dias, com 28 dias e no momento da alta hospitalar. Incluímos RN com peso de nascimento abaixo de 1500 gramas e idade gestacional <= 32 semanas, sem ROP graus 2 e 3, e sem hemorragia peri-intraventricular (HPIV) graus 3 e 4. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando teste t pareado e análise de variância (ANOVA). Resultados: Foram estudados 46 RNPTMBP (92 olhos examinados). No primeiro exame os valores em média do fluxo sanguíneo e índices da artéria oftálmica foram: VS 18,42 cm/s; VD 6,22 cm/s; IP 1,40; IR 0,70 e com 28 dias de vida: VS 22,38 cm/s; VD 6,97 cm/s; IP 1,51; IR 0,75 (p<0.001). Não houve diferença significativa entre as medidas obtidas no olho direito e no esquerdo, e entre primeiro e segundo exames. Da mesma forma, as medidas obtidas com 28 dias de vida foram similares aquelas no momento da alta hospitalar. Conclusão: Ocorre uma elevação nas velocidades de fluxo sanguíneo da artéria oftálmica do período pós-natal até a alta em recémnascidos pré-termo de muito baixo peso de nascimento "saudáveis". Os índices calculados não mostraram diferença estatisticamente significativa. O conhecimento deste padrão normal poderá auxiliar na prevenção e no screening para detecção de doença ocular. / Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial disease of very low birth weight infants (VLBWI), and the vascular component has an important role. Evaluation of retinal blood flow is essential to understand its physiopathology. Objective: To establish normal blood flow velocity and Doppler indices of the ophthalmic arteries from birth to discharge of "healthy" VLBWI.Methods: Cohort study of newborns with birth weight < 1500 grams and gestational age <= 32 weeks born at our Hospital from August 2006 to April 2008. Doppler ultrasound exam was done in both eyes in the first 24 hours after birth, at 7 and 28 days old, and at hospital discharge for systolic velocity (SV), diastolic velocity (DV), pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI). We excluded those with ROP stage 2 and higher, periintraventricular hemorrhage grades 3 and 4, and death. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t test and repeated measures ANOVA. The study was approved by our Ethic Committee.Results: 46 VLBWI (92 eyes) were studied. First exam: SV 18.40 cm/s; DV 6.23 cm/s; PI 1.41; RI 0.70 and 28 days after birth: SV 22.30 cm/s; DV 6.77 cm/s; PI 1,50; RI 0.75 ( p<0.001). Both eyes had similar Doppler findings at all examined moments. SV and DV increased significantly from the first 24 hours to hospital discharge. There were no significant changes during the study period in PI and RI. Conclusions: There was a increase of SV and DV retinal blood flow from birth to hospital discharge in "healthy" VLBWI; other Doppler measurements were stable. Knowing this normal pattern will provide prevention and screening for ROP.

A prematuridade está associada com uma alta incidência de complicações no período neonatal sendo uma das mais importantes a retinopatia da prematuridade (ROP) e suas seqüelas: ambliopia, estrabismo, cegueira. Estudos indicam que alterações no fluxo sanguíneo retiniano estão envolvidas na patogênese da ROP causando um crescimento vascular anormal dos vasos da retina. A análise por ultrassonografia Doppler (USD) dos vasos da órbita permite uma estimativa do fluxo sanguíneo local. Objetivo: estabelecer valores de velocidade do fluxo sanguíneo e de seus índices na artéria oftálmica em recém-nascidos pré-termos de muito baixo peso (RNPTMBP) "saudáveis" do nascimento até a alta. Metodologia: Coorte de recémnascidos pré-termos de muito baixo peso, nascidos na UTI Neonatal do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) no período de agosto de 2006 a abril de 2008. Foram obtidas as medidas de velocidade sistólica (VS), velocidade diastólica (VD), índice de pulsatilidade (IP) e índice de resistência (IR) da artéria oftálmica por USD nas primeiras 24 horas de vida, com sete dias, com 28 dias e no momento da alta hospitalar. Incluímos RN com peso de nascimento abaixo de 1500 gramas e idade gestacional <= 32 semanas, sem ROP graus 2 e 3, e sem hemorragia peri-intraventricular (HPIV) graus 3 e 4. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando teste t pareado e análise de variância (ANOVA). Resultados: Foram estudados 46 RNPTMBP (92 olhos examinados). No primeiro exame os valores em média do fluxo sanguíneo e índices da artéria oftálmica foram: VS 18,42 cm/s; VD 6,22 cm/s; IP 1,40; IR 0,70 e com 28 dias de vida: VS 22,38 cm/s; VD 6,97 cm/s; IP 1,51; IR 0,75 (p<0.001). Não houve diferença significativa entre as medidas obtidas no olho direito e no esquerdo, e entre primeiro e segundo exames. Da mesma forma, as medidas obtidas com 28 dias de vida foram similares aquelas no momento da alta hospitalar. Conclusão: Ocorre uma elevação nas velocidades de fluxo sanguíneo da artéria oftálmica do período pós-natal até a alta em recémnascidos pré-termo de muito baixo peso de nascimento "saudáveis". Os índices calculados não mostraram diferença estatisticamente significativa. O conhecimento deste padrão normal poderá auxiliar na prevenção e no screening para detecção de doença ocular. / Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial disease of very low birth weight infants (VLBWI), and the vascular component has an important role. Evaluation of retinal blood flow is essential to understand its physiopathology. Objective: To establish normal blood flow velocity and Doppler indices of the ophthalmic arteries from birth to discharge of "healthy" VLBWI.Methods: Cohort study of newborns with birth weight < 1500 grams and gestational age <= 32 weeks born at our Hospital from August 2006 to April 2008. Doppler ultrasound exam was done in both eyes in the first 24 hours after birth, at 7 and 28 days old, and at hospital discharge for systolic velocity (SV), diastolic velocity (DV), pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI). We excluded those with ROP stage 2 and higher, periintraventricular hemorrhage grades 3 and 4, and death. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t test and repeated measures ANOVA. The study was approved by our Ethic Committee.Results: 46 VLBWI (92 eyes) were studied. First exam: SV 18.40 cm/s; DV 6.23 cm/s; PI 1.41; RI 0.70 and 28 days after birth: SV 22.30 cm/s; DV 6.77 cm/s; PI 1,50; RI 0.75 ( p<0.001). Both eyes had similar Doppler findings at all examined moments. SV and DV increased significantly from the first 24 hours to hospital discharge. There were no significant changes during the study period in PI and RI. Conclusions: There was a increase of SV and DV retinal blood flow from birth to hospital discharge in "healthy" VLBWI; other Doppler measurements were stable. Knowing this normal pattern will provide prevention and screening for ROP.