Journal Article

Normative data and standard operating procedures for static and dynamic retinal vessel analysis as biomarker for cardiovascular risk

Vilser, Walthard, Schmidt-Trucksäss, Arno, Streese, Lukas, Burri, Andri, Nève, Gilles, Infanger, Denis, Knaier, Raphael, Wagner, Jonathan, Hanssen, Henner, Lona, Giulia

2021

Overview

Retinal vessel phenotype is predictive for cardiovascular outcome. This cross-sectional population-based study aimed to quantify normative data and standard operating procedures for static and dynamic retinal vessel analysis. We analysed central retinal arteriolar (CRAE) and venular (CRVE) diameter equivalents, as well as retinal endothelial function, measured by flicker light‐induced maximal arteriolar (aFID) and venular (vFID) dilatation. Measurements were performed in 277 healthy individuals aged 20 to 82 years of the COmPLETE study. The mean range from the youngest compared to the oldest decade was 196 ± 13 to 166 ± 17 µm for CRAE, 220 ± 15 to 199 ± 16 µm for CRVE, 3.74 ± 2.17 to 3.79 ± 2.43% for aFID and 4.64 ± 1.85 to 3.86 ± 1.56% for vFID. Lower CRAE [estimate (95% CI): − 0.52 (− 0.61 to − 0.43)], CRVE [− 0.33 (− 0.43 to − 0.24)] and vFID [− 0.01 (− 0.26 to − 0.00)], but not aFID, were significantly associated with older age. Interestingly, higher blood pressure was associated with narrower CRAE [− 0.82 (− 1.00 to − 0.63)] but higher aFID [0.05 (0.03 to 0.07)]. Likewise, narrower CRAE were associated with a higher predicted aFID [− 0.02 (− 0.37 to − 0.01)]. We recommend use of defined standardized operating procedures and cardiovascular risk stratification based on normative data to allow for clinical implementation of retinal vessel analysis in a personalized medicine approach.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group,Nature Portfolio
• Subject: 631/443 / 631/443/7 / Adult / Aged / Aged, 80 and over / Aging - pathology / Aging - physiology / Arterioles - diagnostic imaging / Arterioles - pathology / Biomarkers / Blood pressure / Body mass index / Cardiovascular diseases / Cardiovascular Diseases - diagnosis / Cardiovascular Diseases - diagnostic imaging / Cardiovascular Diseases - pathology / Diabetic retinopathy / Disease / Female / Health risks / Heart Disease Risk Factors / Humanities and Social Sciences / Humans / Light / Male / Middle Aged / multidisciplinary / Phenotypes / Physical fitness / Population studies / Precision Medicine / Retina / Retina - metabolism / Retina - pathology / Retinal Vessels - diagnostic imaging / Retinal Vessels - pathology / Risk Factors / Science / Science (multidisciplinary) / Software / Venules - diagnostic imaging / Venules - physiology