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Kellner RL, Harris A, Ciulla L, Guidoboni G, Verticchio Vercellin A, Oddone F, Carnevale C, Zaid M, Antman G, Kuvin JT, Siesky B. The Eye as the Window to the Heart: Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Biomarkers as Indicators of Cardiovascular Disease. J Clin Med 2024; 13:829. [PMID: 38337522 PMCID: PMC10856197 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13030829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Alterations in microvasculature represent some of the earliest pathological processes across a wide variety of human diseases. In many organs, however, inaccessibility and difficulty in directly imaging tissues prevent the assessment of microvascular changes, thereby significantly limiting their translation into improved patient care. The eye provides a unique solution by allowing for the non-invasive and direct visualization and quantification of many aspects of the human microvasculature, including biomarkers for structure, function, hemodynamics, and metabolism. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) studies have specifically identified reduced capillary densities at the level of the retina in several eye diseases including glaucoma. This narrative review examines the published data related to OCTA-assessed microvasculature biomarkers and major systemic cardiovascular disease. While loss of capillaries is being established in various ocular disease, pilot data suggest that changes in the retinal microvasculature, especially within the macula, may also reflect small vessel damage occurring in other organs resulting from cardiovascular disease. Current evidence suggests retinal microvascular biomarkers as potential indicators of major systemic cardiovascular diseases, including systemic arterial hypertension, atherosclerotic disease, and congestive heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L. Kellner
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (R.L.K.); (A.H.); (A.V.V.); (G.A.)
| | - Alon Harris
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (R.L.K.); (A.H.); (A.V.V.); (G.A.)
| | - Lauren Ciulla
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA;
| | - Giovanna Guidoboni
- Maine College of Engineering and Computing, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA;
| | - Alice Verticchio Vercellin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (R.L.K.); (A.H.); (A.V.V.); (G.A.)
| | - Francesco Oddone
- Glaucoma Unit, IRCCS—Fondazione Bietti, 00198 Rome, Italy; (F.O.); (C.C.)
| | - Carmela Carnevale
- Glaucoma Unit, IRCCS—Fondazione Bietti, 00198 Rome, Italy; (F.O.); (C.C.)
| | - Mohamed Zaid
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA;
| | - Gal Antman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (R.L.K.); (A.H.); (A.V.V.); (G.A.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva 4941492, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Jeffrey T. Kuvin
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11549, USA;
| | - Brent Siesky
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (R.L.K.); (A.H.); (A.V.V.); (G.A.)
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Shen Z, Zhang S, Yu W, Yue M, Hong C. Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography: Revolutionizing Clinical Diagnostics and Treatment in Central Nervous System Disease. Aging Dis 2024:AD.2024.0112. [PMID: 38300645 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2024.0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), as a new generation of non-invasive and efficient fundus imaging technology, can provide non-invasive assessment of vascular lesions in the retina and choroid. In terms of anatomy and development, the retina is referred to as an extension of the central nervous system (CNS). CNS diseases are closely related to changes in fundus structure and blood vessels, and direct visualization of fundus structure and blood vessels provides an effective "window" for CNS research. This has important practical significance for identifying the characteristic changes of various CNS diseases on OCTA in the future, and plays a key role in promoting early screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of disease progression in CNS diseases. This article reviews relevant fundus studies by comparing and summarizing the unique advantages and existing limitations of OCTA in various CNS disease patients, in order to demonstrate the clinical significance of OCTA in the diagnosis and treatment of CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeqi Shen
- Postgraduate training base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weitao Yu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengmeng Yue
- Postgraduate training base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chaoyang Hong
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Zhou T, Wan T, Jin X, Chen Y, Shen C. The clinical implications of choroidal thickness combined with tear VEGFA in coronary artery disease. Coron Artery Dis 2023; 34:510-516. [PMID: 37756415 PMCID: PMC10538601 DOI: 10.1097/mca.0000000000001279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of choroidal thickness and tear vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) as biomarkers of coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS This study was a retrospective observational case-control trial. A total of 637 patients who underwent coronary angiography to assess their coronary artery status were included. The patients were divided into two groups: 200 people in the No CAD group and 437 people in the CAD group. We evaluated the choroidal thickness of the right foveal membrane in all patients through optical coherence tomography angiography examination. We also collected tear samples from patients to measure VEGFA. The ROC curve and its area under the curve (AUC) were used for analysis. RESULTS The central foveal choroid in the No CAD group was significantly thicker than that in the CAD group (289.09 μm ± 38.41; 229.03 μm ± 33.44, P < 0.01). The tear VEGFA in the CAD group was higher than that in the No CAD group (706.15 ng/mL ± 147.42; 419.66 ng/mL ± 105.85, P < 0.01). Spearman analysis showed that the correlation between choroidal thickness and Gensini score was -0.7387 ( P < 0.01). The correlation between tear VEGFA level and Gensini score was 0.8636 ( P < 0.01). Taking choroidal thickness and tear VEGFA as independent variables, we obtained AUC = 0.9647 (95% CI 0.9506-0.9789, P < 0.01) through binary logic regression and ROC curve analysis. CONCLUSION The combination of choroidal thickness and tear VEGFA in patients can serve as a clinical marker of CAD and its severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingquan Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
| | - Ting Wan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xian Jin
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
| | - Chengxing Shen
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
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Zhu Z, Hu W, Chen R, Xiong R, Wang W, Shang X, Chen Y, Kiburg K, Shi D, He S, Huang Y, Zhang X, Tang S, Zeng J, Yu H, Yang X, He M. Retinal age gap as a predictive biomarker of stroke risk. BMC Med 2022; 20:466. [PMID: 36447293 PMCID: PMC9710167 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02620-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to investigate the association of retinal age gap with the risk of incident stroke and its predictive value for incident stroke. METHODS A total of 80,169 fundus images from 46,969 participants in the UK Biobank cohort met the image quality standard. A deep learning model was constructed based on 19,200 fundus images of 11,052 disease-free participants at baseline for age prediction. Retinal age gap (retinal age predicted based on the fundus image minus chronological age) was generated for the remaining 35,917 participants. Stroke events were determined by data linkage to hospital records on admissions and diagnoses, and national death registers, whichever occurred earliest. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the effect of retinal age gap on risk of stroke. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the predictive value of retinal age and well-established risk factors in 10-year stroke risk. RESULTS A total of 35,304 participants without history of stroke at baseline were included. During a median follow-up of 5.83 years, 282 (0.80%) participants had stroke events. In the fully adjusted model, each one-year increase in the retinal age gap was associated with a 4% increase in the risk of stroke (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-1.08, P = 0.029). Compared to participants with retinal age gap in the first quintile, participants with retinal age gap in the fifth quintile had significantly higher risks of stroke events (HR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.37-4.10, P = 0.002). The predictive capability of retinal age alone was comparable to the well-established risk factor-based model (AUC=0.676 vs AUC=0.661, p=0.511). CONCLUSIONS We found that retinal age gap was significantly associated with incident stroke, implying the potential of retinal age gap as a predictive biomarker of stroke risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoting Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China.,Centre for Eye Research Australia, Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Wenyi Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China.,Centre for Eye Research Australia, Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ruiye Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China.,Centre for Eye Research Australia, Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ruilin Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianwen Shang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China.,Centre for Eye Research Australia, Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yifan Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China.,John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Katerina Kiburg
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Danli Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuang He
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xueli Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shulin Tang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jieshan Zeng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Honghua Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohong Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Mingguang He
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China. .,Centre for Eye Research Australia, Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. .,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. .,State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Xu C, Sellke FW, Abid MR. Assessments of microvascular function in organ systems. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2022; 322:H891-H905. [PMID: 35333121 PMCID: PMC9037705 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00589.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Microvascular disease plays critical roles in the dysfunction of all organ systems, and there are many methods available to assess the microvasculature. These methods can either assess the target organ directly or assess an easily accessible organ such as the skin or retina so that inferences can be extrapolated to the other systems and/or related diseases. Despite the abundance of exploratory research on some of these modalities and their possible applications, there is a general lack of clinical use. This deficiency is likely due to two main reasons: the need for standardization of protocols to establish a role in clinical practice or the lack of therapies targeted toward microvascular dysfunction. Also, there remain some questions to be answered about the coronary microvasculature, as it is complex, heterogeneous, and difficult to visualize in vivo even with advanced imaging technology. This review will discuss novel approaches that are being used to assess microvasculature health in several key organ systems, and evaluate their clinical utility and scope for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Xu
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Frank W Sellke
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - M Ruhul Abid
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
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Wan J, Kwapong WR, Tao W, Lu K, Jiang S, Zheng H, Hu F, Wu B. Choroidal changes in carotid stenosis patients after stenting detected by swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography. Curr Neurovasc Res 2022; 19:100-107. [PMID: 35388758 DOI: 10.2174/1567202619666220406092532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) patients show reduced blood flow in the ophthalmic artery. This study aimed to assess the changes in the choriocapillaris and choroidal thickness in patients with unilateral carotid artery stenosis after carotid stenting using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT)/swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA). METHODS Fifty-three mild to moderate CAS patients and 40 controls were enrolled in this study. All participants underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and SS-OCT/SS-OCTAA imaging before and 4 days after carotid artery stenting. SS-OCTA was used to image and measure the perfusion of the choriocapillaris (mm2) while SS-OCT was used to image and measure the choroidal thickness (µm). The stenosed side was described as the ipsilateral eye while the other side was the contralateral eye. RESULTS Choroidal thickness was significantly thinner (P = 0.024) in CAS when compared with controls. Ipsilateral eyes of CAS patients showed significantly thinner (P = 0.008) choroidal thickness when compared with contralateral eyes. Ipsilateral eyes of CAS patients showed thicker (P = 0.027) choroidal thickness after carotid artery stenting while contralateral eyes showed thinner choroidal thickness (P = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS Our report suggests that in vivo quantification of the choroid with the SS-OCT/SS-OCTA may allow monitoring of CAS and enable the assessment of purported treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jincheng Wan
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China. No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. Zipcode.,Department of Neurology, Minda Hospital of Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, Hubei Province, China. Zipcode
| | - William Robert Kwapong
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China. No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. Zipcode
| | - Wendan Tao
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China. No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. Zipcode
| | - Kun Lu
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China. No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. Zipcode
| | - Shuai Jiang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China. No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. Zipcode
| | - Hongbo Zheng
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China. No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. Zipcode
| | - Fayun Hu
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China. No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. Zipcode
| | - Bo Wu
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China. No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. Zipcode
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Kwapong WR, Jiang S, Yan Y, Wan J, Wu B. Macular Microvasculature Is Associated With Total Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Burden in Recent Single Subcortical Infarction. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 13:787775. [PMID: 35126088 PMCID: PMC8811295 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.787775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To assess the retinal microvasculature, choriocapillaris, and choroidal thickness in recent single subcortical infarction (RSSI) patients compared with healthy controls. We also assessed the correlation between the macular microvascular changes and choroidal changes with their clinical implications in RSSI patients. Methods Forty-six RSSI patients and 39 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in our study. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done for all RSSI patients, and a total cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) score was assessed for all patients. Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) was used to image and assess the choroidal thickness and SS-OCT angiography (SS-OCTA) was used to image and assess the macular microvasculature and choriocapillaris in all participants. Clinical information was collected for all participants. Results RSSI patients showed significantly sparser inner retinal microvasculature (P = 0.003) when compared with healthy controls. RSSI patients showed significantly thinner choroidal thickness (P < 0.001) when compared with HC. No significant difference (P = 0.247) was seen when the choriocapillaris was compared between the two groups. CSVD burden (P = 0.014) and NIHSS score (P = 0.010) showed significant correlation with the inner retinal microvasculature of RSSI patients. The inner retinal microvasculature (P = 0.016) and choroidal thickness (P = 0.018) showed a significant correlation with the MoCA scores in RSSI patients. Conclusions Our report suggests that retinal and choroidal imaging may serve as useful indicators to expand our understanding of RSSI and its clinical validity.
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Papathanasiou KA, Kazantzis D, Vrachatis DA, Giotaki SG, Papaconstantinou E, Kanakis M, Avramides D, Deftereos S, Chatziralli I, Georgalas I. Choroidal thickness in patients with systemic arterial hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ther Adv Ophthalmol 2022; 14:25158414221132825. [DOI: 10.1177/25158414221132825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The global burden of hypertension is constantly increasing with adverse cardiovascular and ocular sequelae. The association between elevated blood pressure and choroidal thickness (CT), as assessed via optical coherence tomography (OCT), is poorly understood. Objectives and Design: Studies including hypertensive adults and normotensive controls undergoing OCT were evaluated for inclusion in this meta-analysis. The primary endpoint was CT difference between hypertensive and normotensive adults. Data Sources and Methods: We conducted a systematic review and after searching 1011 results from MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, medRxiv and Cochrane Library, six studies were deemed eligible and were pooled according to a random-effect model. Results: A statistically significant reduction in choroidal thickness was found in hypertensive adults ( n = 454) as compared with normotensive controls ( n = 365) [mean difference: −0.77; 95% confidence intervals: (−1.20, −0.34); p = 0.0004]. The main limitations of this meta-analysis are the relatively small population included and the high statistical heterogeneity ( I2 = 87%) among the various studies. Of note, after excluding one study the heterogeneity was markedly reduced. Conclusion: Choroidal thickness is reduced among hypertensive subjects compared with normotensive controls. This finding mandates further examination in the context of long-term clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimitrios Kazantzis
- 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Sotiria G. Giotaki
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eva Papaconstantinou
- Department of Ophthalmology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1st University Eye Clinic, G. Gennimatas General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Menelaos Kanakis
- Department of Ophthalmology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1st University Eye Clinic, G. Gennimatas General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Avramides
- Department of Cardiology, ‘G. Gennimatas’ General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridon Deftereos
- 2nd Department of Cardiology, Attikon Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1 Rimini Str., Chaidari, Attiki, 12462 Athens, Greece
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Irini Chatziralli
- 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ilias Georgalas
- Department of Ophthalmology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 1st University Eye Clinic, G. Gennimatas General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
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