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Retinal arteriolar narrowing and left ventricular hypertrophy in African Americans. the Atherosclerosis Risk in

Gabriella Tikellis1, Donna K Arnett, Thomas N Skelton

  • 1Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

American Journal of Hypertension
|February 5, 2008
PubMed

Insights

African Americans with narrowed retinal arterioles were more likely to have left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). This link between microvascular changes and LVH was partly explained by cardiovascular risk factors and hypertension.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Ophthalmology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The contribution of microvascular disease to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) remains unclear.
  • This study investigates the association between retinal microvascular signs and LVH in African Americans.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between retinal microvascular signs and LVH.
  • To assess the role of cardiovascular risk factors and hypertension in this association.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 1,439 middle-aged African Americans.
  • Retinal photographs graded for microvascular signs (arteriolar narrowing, AV nicking, retinopathy).
  • LVH assessed by echocardiography; retinal vessel diameter measured using computer-assisted techniques.

Main Results:

  • Generalized and focal arteriolar narrowing were significantly associated with LVH (ORs 1.64 and 1.82, respectively) after age and gender adjustment.
  • Associations remained significant after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors and hypertension, though attenuated (ORs 1.35 and 1.66, respectively).
  • AV nicking was also associated with LVH, but retinopathy was not (in non-diabetic individuals).

Conclusions:

  • Generalized and focal retinal arteriolar narrowing are linked to a higher likelihood of LVH in middle-aged African Americans.
  • Cardiovascular risk factors and hypertension partially explain this association but do not fully account for it.
  • Retinal microvascular signs may serve as indicators of subclinical cardiovascular damage.
Abstract

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