Retinal vascular caliber associated with cardiac and renal target organ damage in never-treated hypertensive patients

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Cardiology
• Nephrology

Background:

• Hypertension (HT) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and renal diseases.
• Early detection of target organ damage is crucial for managing HT.
• Retinal vascular caliber may serve as a non-invasive indicator of systemic vascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between retinal vascular caliber and preclinical target organ damage in never-treated hypertension patients.
• To determine if retinal vascular caliber correlates with cardiac, renal, and vascular stiffness parameters.

Main Methods:

• Retinal vascular calibers (CRAE and CRVE) were measured from fundus photographs in 88 never-treated HT subjects.
• Cardiac assessment included left ventricular hypertrophy.
• Renal function was evaluated by urinary albumin excretion and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
• Vascular stiffness was assessed using carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity and carotid augmentation index.

Main Results:

• Reduced mean CRAE and CRVE were significantly associated with left ventricular hypertrophy.
• Both CRAE and CRVE showed a negative correlation with urinary albumin excretion.
• No significant correlation was found between retinal vascular caliber and eGFR, pulse wave velocity, or carotid augmentation index.

Conclusions:

• In never-treated HT patients, narrower retinal arterioles and venules are associated with cardiac (left ventricular hypertrophy) and renal (albuminuria) preclinical damage.
• Retinal vascular caliber does not appear to be correlated with eGFR or vascular stiffness in this cohort.
• Retinal imaging may offer a valuable tool for identifying hypertension patients at risk for target organ damage.