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Iorga RE, Costin D, Munteanu-Dănulescu RS, Rezuș E, Moraru AD. Non-Invasive Retinal Vessel Analysis as a Predictor for Cardiovascular Disease. J Pers Med 2024; 14:501. [PMID: 38793083 PMCID: PMC11122007 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14050501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most frequent cause of death worldwide. The alterations in the microcirculation may predict the cardiovascular mortality. The retinal vasculature can be used as a model to study vascular alterations associated with cardiovascular disease. In order to quantify microvascular changes in a non-invasive way, fundus images can be taken and analysed. The central retinal arteriolar (CRAE), the venular (CRVE) diameter and the arteriolar-to-venular diameter ratio (AVR) can be used as biomarkers to predict the cardiovascular mortality. A narrower CRAE, wider CRVE and a lower AVR have been associated with increased cardiovascular events. Dynamic retinal vessel analysis (DRVA) allows the quantification of retinal changes using digital image sequences in response to visual stimulation with flicker light. This article is not just a review of the current literature, it also aims to discuss the methodological benefits and to identify research gaps. It highlights the potential use of microvascular biomarkers for screening and treatment monitoring of cardiovascular disease. Artificial intelligence (AI), such as Quantitative Analysis of Retinal vessel Topology and size (QUARTZ), and SIVA-deep learning system (SIVA-DLS), seems efficient in extracting information from fundus photographs and has the advantage of increasing diagnosis accuracy and improving patient care by complementing the role of physicians. Retinal vascular imaging using AI may help identify the cardiovascular risk, and is an important tool in primary cardiovascular disease prevention. Further research should explore the potential clinical application of retinal microvascular biomarkers, in order to assess systemic vascular health status, and to predict cardiovascular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raluca Eugenia Iorga
- Department of Surgery II, Discipline of Ophthalmology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Strada Universitatii No. 16, 700115 Iași, Romania; (R.E.I.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Damiana Costin
- Doctoral School, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | | | - Elena Rezuș
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Discipline of Reumathology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania;
| | - Andreea Dana Moraru
- Department of Surgery II, Discipline of Ophthalmology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Strada Universitatii No. 16, 700115 Iași, Romania; (R.E.I.); (A.D.M.)
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Patel S, Shokr H, Greenstein A, Gherghel D. Macro- and Microvascular Function in Middle-Aged Individuals with Low Cardiovascular Disease Risk. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11236962. [PMID: 36498535 PMCID: PMC9740681 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11236962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: To investigate the microvascular function in apparently healthy individuals showing signs of early macrovascular endothelial dysfunction. Methods: Healthy participants aged between 30−55 years were recruited for the present study. Baseline measurements included body-mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), 24-h blood pressure, as well as fasted venous glucose, triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol (HDL, LDL and total). Brachial artery reactivity was measured using the flow-mediated dilation (FMD) technique and retinal vessel reactivity was assessed by using the Dynamic Retinal Vessel Analyser (DVA) in all individuals. The enrolled participants were separated in two groups, based on either a reduced (group 1: <5%—n = 53) or a normal FMD response (group 2: 7−10%—n = 47). Results: Individuals exhibiting reduced FMD responses showed a reduced baseline-corrected microvascular arterial dilation response to flickering light (p = 0.039). In addition, they also exhibited a reduced arteriolar maximum dilation (p = 0.034), as well as a longer dilation reaction time (p = 0.048) and a lower dilation amplitude (p = 0.042) when compared to those with normal FMD values. Conclusion: In otherwise healthy middle-aged individuals, early signs of vascular dysfunction are reflected simultaneously at both macro- and microvascular levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunni Patel
- Vascular Research Laboratory, Ophthalmic Research Group, College Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Hala Shokr
- Vascular Research Laboratory, Ophthalmic Research Group, College Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
- Pharmacy Division, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Adam Greenstein
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Doina Gherghel
- Vascular Research Laboratory, Ophthalmic Research Group, College Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-0121-204-4120
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Mroczkowska S, Shokr H, Benavente-Pérez A, Negi A, Bentham P, Gherghel D. Retinal Microvascular Dysfunction Occurs Early and Similarly in Mild Alzheimer's Disease and Primary-Open Angle Glaucoma Patients. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11226702. [PMID: 36431179 PMCID: PMC9717733 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11226702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To assess the similarities and differences in retinal microvascular function between mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients, early-stage primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and healthy controls. Methods: Retinal vessel reactivity to flickering light was assessed in 10 AD, 19 POAG and 20 healthy age matched control patients by means of dynamic retinal vessel analysis (DVA, IMEDOS, GmbH, Jena, Germany) according to an established protocol. All patients additionally underwent BP measurements and blood analysis for glucose and lipid metabolism markers. Results: AD and POAG patients demonstrated comparable alterations in retinal artery reactivity, in the form of an increased arterial reaction time (RT) to flicker light on the final flicker cycle (p = 0.009), which was not replicated by healthy controls (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the sequential changes in RT on progressing from flicker one to flicker three were found to differ between healthy controls and the two disease groups (p = 0.001). Conclusion: AD and POAG patients demonstrate comparable signs of vascular dysfunction in their retinal arteries at the early stages of their disease process. This provides support for the concept of a common underlying vascular aetiology in these two neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Mroczkowska
- Vascular Research Laboratory, Ophthalmic Research Group, College Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
- Eye and Vision Research Group, School of Health Professions, Plymouth University, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
- Correspondence: (S.M.); (D.G.); Tel.: +44-0121-204-3000 (D.G.)
| | - Hala Shokr
- Vascular Research Laboratory, Ophthalmic Research Group, College Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
- Pharmacy Division, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Alexandra Benavente-Pérez
- Vascular Research Laboratory, Ophthalmic Research Group, College Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Anil Negi
- Medical Innovation Development and Research Unit, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 1NT, UK
| | - Peter Bentham
- Medical Innovation Development and Research Unit, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 1NT, UK
| | - Doina Gherghel
- Vascular Research Laboratory, Ophthalmic Research Group, College Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Correspondence: (S.M.); (D.G.); Tel.: +44-0121-204-3000 (D.G.)
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Seshadri S, Shokr H, Gherghel D. Retinal Microvascular Abnormalities and Systemic Arterial Stiffness Are the First Manifestation of Cardiovascular Abnormalities in Patients with Untreated Moderate to Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and with Low to Intermediate Cardiovascular Risk-A Pilot Study. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102669. [PMID: 36289930 PMCID: PMC9599073 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate macro- and microvascular function parameters and their relationship with known markers of cardiovascular risk in patients with untreated moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Fourteen patients with moderate to severe OSA and fourteen controls were included in the present study. General assessments included BMI, systemic blood pressure (BP) and circulating markers for oxidative stress and endothelial function. Additional assessments included 24 h BP and heart rate monitoring, as well as the assessment of heart rate variability. Macro- and microvascular assessments included augmentation index, carotid intima-media thickness, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, as well as various retinal microvascular function assessments, using the Dynamic Retinal Vessel Analyzer. All participants completed the Short Form Health Survey, Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. The results show that, in comparison to controls, BMI (p = 0.003) and AIx (p = 0.025) were significantly higher in the OSA group. There was, however, no significant difference between groups with regard to other measured systemic general, vascular and circulatory parameters (all p > 0.05). Nevertheless, the retinal microvascular function showed various alterations in the OSA patients, including a delayed reaction time in response to flicker (p = 0.047), as well as a decreased dilation amplitude (p = 0.004), dilation slope (p = 0.004), and post-flicker constriction (p = 0.015). In addition, the observed SlopeAD alterations correlated negatively with BMI values only in the OSA group (r = −0.46, p = 0.045). In conclusion, individuals with untreated moderate to severe OSA but without overt CVD, exhibit signs of increased arterial stiffness and retinal microvascular dysfunction, which can be early indicators for future vascular complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swathi Seshadri
- Vascular Research Laboratory, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Hala Shokr
- Vascular Research Laboratory, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
- Pharmacy Division, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Correspondence: (H.S.); (D.G.)
| | - Doina Gherghel
- Vascular Research Laboratory, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Correspondence: (H.S.); (D.G.)
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