Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 3, 2025

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
07:30

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions

Published on: April 23, 2021

3.2K

Relationship between Retinal Microvasculature, Cardiovascular Risk and Silent Brain Infarction in Hypertensive

Rosa Forés1,2, Josep M Manresa1, Victor M López-Lifante1,3

  • 1Unitat de Suport a la Recerca Metropolitana Nord, Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol (IDIAP Jordi Gol), 08303 Mataró, Spain.

Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Artery-vein ratio (AVR) and cardiovascular risk scores (REGICOR) can help predict silent brain infarction (SBI) in hypertensive patients. Combining these assessments improves the detection of SBI in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Neuroimaging and Public Health

Background:

  • Silent brain infarction (SBI) is a significant risk factor for cerebrovascular events.
  • Hypertension is a major risk factor for both SBI and cardiovascular disease.
  • Early detection of SBI is crucial for timely intervention and stroke prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the predictive role of artery-vein ratio (AVR) and REGICOR cardiovascular risk scores for silent brain infarction (SBI).
  • To assess the combined utility of AVR and REGICOR in identifying middle-aged hypertensive patients at risk for SBI.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 695 hypertensive patients aged 50-70 years (ISSYS project).
  • Retinal artery-vein ratio (AVR) measured using VesselMap 2 software; abnormal AVR defined as <0.66.
  • REGICOR cardiovascular risk score calculated for all participants; SBI detected via MRI.

Main Results:

  • Abnormal AVR (OR=4.45) and high REGICOR score (OR=3.16) were independently associated with SBI.
  • The combination of abnormal AVR and a high REGICOR score showed a significantly increased odds ratio (OR=13.07) for SBI.
  • Logistic regression analysis confirmed the predictive value of both AVR and REGICOR for SBI.

Conclusions:

  • Artery-vein ratio assessment, particularly in hypertensive patients with high cardiovascular risk (REGICOR score), aids in detecting silent brain infarction.
  • Integrating retinal vascular parameters with established cardiovascular risk scores offers a promising approach for identifying individuals susceptible to SBI.
Abstract

Keywords:
cardiovascular riskhypertensionretinal microvasculaturesilent brain infarction

More Related Videos

Fundus Photography as a Convenient Tool to Study Microvascular Responses to Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Epidemiological Studies10:11

Fundus Photography as a Convenient Tool to Study Microvascular Responses to Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Epidemiological Studies

Published on: October 22, 2014

19.4K
Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia09:17

Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia

Published on: November 6, 2017

21.9K

Related Concept Videos

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
166
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology01:29

Hypertension II: Pathophysiology

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
274
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
3.4K