Retinal vascular changes and right ventricular structure and function: the MESA-Right Ventricle and MESA-Eye studies

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Cardiology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Retinal vessel diameters are linked to left ventricular function.
• The association between retinal vasculature and right ventricular (RV) morphology and function remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between retinal arteriolar and venular diameters and RV morphology and function.

Main Methods:

• Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessed RV end-diastolic mass (RVEDM), end-diastolic volume (RVEDV), end-systolic volume (RVESV), stroke volume (RVSV), and ejection fraction (RVEF) in 4204 participants.
• Retinal photography measured mean retinal arteriole and venule diameters, summarized as central retinal artery and vein equivalents.
• Statistical models adjusted for covariates.

Main Results:

• Wider retinal veins were associated with greater RVEDM and RVEDV in women.
• Wider retinal veins showed an inverse association with RVEDV in men.
• Narrower retinal arteries were significantly associated with lower RVEDM and smaller RVEDV in both sexes.
• Narrower retinal arteries showed a borderline association with lower RVEF in men after LVEF adjustment.

Conclusions:

• Retinal venular diameter is associated with sex-specific RV size.
• Retinal arteriolar diameter is associated with reduced RV size in both men and women.
• Findings suggest a link between retinal vascular parameters and RV morphology in individuals without clinical cardiovascular disease.