Is pseudoexfoliation syndrome associated with coronary artery disease?

Abstract

Background:Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is recognised by chronic deposition of abnormal pseudoexfoliation material on anterior segment structures of the eye, especially the anterior lens capsule. In recent years, several studies have shown the presence of vascular, cardiac and other organ pseudoexfoliative material in patients with ocular pseudoexfoliation.Aims:The purpose of this study is to determine whether an association exists between ocular pseudoexfoliation and coronary artery disease, aortic aneurysms and peripheric vascular disease.Patients and Methods:490 patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) at Kosuyolu Cardiovascula Research and Training Hospital were included in the study. Patients were evaluated for conventional risk factors such as age, sex, family history, hypertension, diabetes, dislipidemia and smoking. Detailed eye examinations including evaluation of lens were done in all patients. The presence of PEX material in the anterior segment was best appreciated by slit lamp after pupillary dilation. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of PEX, and compared for the presence of CAD and other risk factors.Results:CAD was present in 387 patients. 103 patients had normal coronary angiography. 20 (5.2 %) of CAD patients and 4 (3.9%) of normal CAG patients were found to have PEX (p>0.05). There was no significant relationship between CAD and the presence of PEX (p>0.05). When patients were grouped according to the presence of PEX, only age was significantly different between the two groups (r: 0.25, p<0.001).Conclusion:There is no significant relationship between the presence of PEX and CAD. Further studies in larger scales with elderly population may be more valuable.

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome and coronary artery ectasia

“…They concluded that there is no significant relationship between PEX and CAD. 13 However, some other studies demonstrated this relationship. Citirik et al compared the patients with CAD proven by coronary angiography with 50 controls with normal coronary angiographic findings in terms of PEX, other vascular diseases, and retinal vascular findings.…”

“…[10][11][12] However, some studies did not reveal such associations. 3,13,14 Thus, it is not obvious whether PEX syndrome is associated with some vascular pathology or not.…”

Retardation of Corrected QT Dispersion Recovery, Heart Rate Recovery and Increase of QT Dispersion in Patients with Pseudoexfoliative Syndrome; Are They Predictors of Malignant Arrythmias?

“…However, in one study, the association between PEX and coronary artery disease, hypertension, cerebrovascular events, diabetes mellitus and arrhythmias was investigated and it was suggested that only the prevalence of arrhythmia was high in PEX patients [22]. In addition to all these, although there was a minority, it has been claimed that there was no association between PEX and cardiovascular disease [23].…”

Cardiovascular repercussions of the pseudoexfoliation syndrome

“…[30] Furthermore, a more recent study by Emiroglu et al ., failed to show any significant relationship between PEX and CAD, aortic aneurysm, or peripheral artery disease. [31]…”