Extensive facial and orbital infantile hemangiomas associated with high intraocular pressure.

High intraocular pressure is a rare ophthalmic condition associated with infantile hemangiomas that involves the orbit, eyelid, or both. Here, we describe a patient with extensive facial and orbital infantile hemangiomas associated with high intraocular pressure in the affected eye. The prompt management of this challenging condition is essential.

Abnormal microvascular reactivity with hypercholesterolaemia in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Post-occlusive skin reactive hyperaemia (PORH) is a model used to assess microvascular reactivity. This study aims to compare PORH response among pregnant hypercholesterolaemic patients with age and gestational age-matched controls. METHODS: This cross sectional study involved 17 hypercholesterolaemic, pregnant women and 20 pregnant controls entering their early third trimester. Laser Doppler fluximetry (LDF) was used to measure skin perfusion. The process of PORH was performed by occluding the upper arm with an occlusion cuff at 200 mmHg for 3 minutes. Skin perfusion was recorded before, during, and after occlusion release. Baseline perfusion, time to achieve peak perfusion (Tp), peak perfusion after occlusion release (PORH(peak)), and maximum change in perfusion due to occlusion (PORH(max)) were recorded. RESULTS: Serum total cholesterol (TC) was significantly different (P < 0.001) between the 2 groups: 7.25 (SEM 0.18) mmol/L for hypercholesterolaemic women and 5.54 (SEM 0.15) mmol/L for the control group. There were no significant differences in their baseline, PORH(peak), and PORH(max). However, Tp in the hypercholesterolaemic group was significantly increased (P = 0.024) compared with the controls at 14.9 (SEM 0.6) seconds and 13.1 (SEM 0.5) seconds, respectively. CONCLUSION: Pregnant hypercholesterolaemic patients showed an abnormal microvascular reactivity response. Tp with ischemia was significantly increased compared with normocholesterolaemic controls.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase G894T gene polymorphism and response to skin reactive hyperemia.

Post occlusive skin reactive hyperemia (PORH) is a tool used to assess microcirculation. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mediates nitric oxide (NO) production; polymorphism of the eNOS gene may affect response to the PORH process. This study aims to determine whether eNOS G894T gene polymorphism affects response to skin PORH. 230 normotensive male and females between 18 and 40 years participated in this cross-sectional study. 170 subjects were of the homozygous GG genotype, whereas 60 were of the GT genotype. Skin PORH was performed by occlusion of the upper arm at 200 mm Hg for 3 min. Skin perfusion and temperature were monitored before, during and after occlusion release using the laser Doppler fluximetry. There were no significant differences between genotypes in their baseline blood pressure, serum cholesterol, BMI and age. Maximum change in perfusion after occlusion release (PORHmax) for the GG and GT genotypes were not significantly different at 50.15+/-1.29 vs. 47.92+/-2.17 AU; ANCOVA, p=0.351. Peak perfusion (PORHpeak) were also not significantly different between the two genotypes (61.23+/-1.36 vs. 57.72+/-2.32 AU; p=0.169). Minimum baseline perfusion were however higher in the GG compared to the GT genotype (10.83+/-0.29 vs. 9.61+/-0.50, p=0.029). We conclude that microvascular reactivity, assessed by change in perfusion after temporary ischemia was not significantly different between the GG and GT genotypes of the eNOS G894T gene. eNOS 894T allele carriers however, have lower baseline perfusion compared to the homozygous G894 allele carrier.