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Normative data and standard operating procedures for static and dynamic retinal vessel analysis as biomarker for
Lukas Streese1, Giulia Lona1, Jonathan Wagner1
1Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320 B, 4052, Basel, Switzerland.
Insights
Retinal vessel analysis, including central retinal arteriolar and venular equivalents, can predict cardiovascular outcomes. Standardized procedures and normative data are recommended for clinical implementation in personalized medicine.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Retinal vessel phenotype is a known predictor of cardiovascular outcomes.
- Standardized methods for retinal vessel analysis are needed for clinical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify normative data for static and dynamic retinal vessel analysis.
- To establish standard operating procedures for retinal vessel analysis.
- To assess the relationship between retinal vessel parameters, age, and blood pressure.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional population-based study of 277 healthy individuals (aged 20-82).
- Analysis of central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and venular equivalent (CRVE).
- Measurement of flicker light-induced arteriolar (aFID) and venular (vFID) dilatation to assess endothelial function.
Main Results:
- Older age was associated with narrower CRAE, CRVE, and vFID, but not aFID.
- Higher blood pressure correlated with narrower CRAE but higher aFID.
- Narrower CRAE were associated with higher predicted aFID.
Conclusions:
- Normative data and standardized operating procedures are crucial for clinical implementation of retinal vessel analysis.
- Retinal vessel analysis can aid in cardiovascular risk stratification and personalized medicine.
- The study provides valuable normative data for CRAE, CRVE, aFID, and vFID across different age groups.
Abstract:
Retinal vessel phenotype is predictive for cardiovascular outcome. This cross-sectional population-based study aimed to quantify normative data and standard operating procedures for static and dynamic retinal vessel analysis. We analysed central retinal arteriolar (CRAE) and venular (CRVE) diameter equivalents, as well as retinal endothelial function, measured by flicker light-induced maximal arteriolar (aFID) and venular (vFID) dilatation. Measurements were performed in 277 healthy individuals aged 20 to 82 years of the COmPLETE study. The mean range from the youngest compared to the oldest decade was 196 ± 13 to 166 ± 17 µm for CRAE, 220 ± 15 to 199 ± 16 µm for CRVE, 3.74 ± 2.17 to 3.79 ± 2.43% for aFID and 4.64 ± 1.85 to 3.86 ± 1.56% for vFID. Lower CRAE [estimate (95% CI): - 0.52 (- 0.61 to - 0.43)], CRVE [- 0.33 (- 0.43 to - 0.24)] and vFID [- 0.01 (- 0.26 to - 0.00)], but not aFID, were significantly associated with older age. Interestingly, higher blood pressure was associated with narrower CRAE [- 0.82 (- 1.00 to - 0.63)] but higher aFID [0.05 (0.03 to 0.07)]. Likewise, narrower CRAE were associated with a higher predicted aFID [- 0.02 (- 0.37 to - 0.01)]. We recommend use of defined standardized operating procedures and cardiovascular risk stratification based on normative data to allow for clinical implementation of retinal vessel analysis in a personalized medicine approach.
