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Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
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Could aortic arch calcification help in detection of hypertensive retinopathy?

Adem Adar1, Orhan Onalan1, Ozge Sevik2

  • 1Departments of Cardiology.

Blood Pressure Monitoring
|November 25, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Aortic arch calcification (AAC) on chest X-rays can predict retinopathy in hypertensive patients. This simple screening tool aids in early detection of eye damage in individuals with high blood pressure.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Hypertension leads to end-organ damage, significantly impacting patient morbidity and mortality.
  • Vascular damage, a precursor to end-organ damage, is often indicated by vascular calcification.
  • Aortic arch calcification (AAC) is an easily detectable form of vascular calcification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that aortic arch calcification (AAC) predicts retinopathy in hypertensive patients.
  • To assess the association between AAC and hypertensive retinopathy.
  • To evaluate AAC as a potential screening tool for retinopathy in hypertensive individuals.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 495 hypertensive patients without diabetes was studied.
  • Aortic arch calcification (AAC) was assessed using posterior-anterior chest radiography.
  • Ophthalmologic examinations were performed to diagnose retinopathy.

Main Results:

  • Hypertensive retinopathy was present in 62% of patients.
  • Patients with retinopathy showed a significantly higher prevalence of AAC (88% vs. 22%, P < 0.001).
  • AAC demonstrated strong predictive ability for retinopathy (area under curve = 0.814) and was independently associated with it (OR 13.128).

Conclusions:

  • Aortic arch calcification (AAC) is a significant independent predictor of retinopathy in non-diabetic hypertensive patients.
  • Chest radiography for AAC offers a simple, cost-effective method for early retinopathy detection.
  • This approach may facilitate timely intervention to prevent vision loss in hypertensive individuals.
Abstract

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