Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2025
07:23
Retinal Vascular Reactivity as Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Published on: March 26, 2020
7.6K
Retinal microvasculature and vasoreactivity changes in hypertension using optical coherence tomography-angiography
Rebecca Zeng1,2, Itika Garg1,2, Deepthi Bannai3
1Harvard Retinal Imaging Lab, Boston, MA, USA.
Summary
Hypertension (HTN) significantly alters retinal vasculature, reducing vessel density and fractal dimension. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography angiography (SD-OCTA) reveals these changes and assesses retinal vascular reactivity in HTN patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Hypertension (HTN) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
- Retinal microvasculature changes can serve as an indicator of systemic vascular health.
- Spectral domain optical coherence tomography angiography (SD-OCTA) offers high-resolution imaging of retinal vasculature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the retinal vasculature and vasoreactivity in patients with hypertension (HTN) using SD-OCTA.
- To compare vascular parameters between hypertensive and normotensive individuals.
- To assess the potential of SD-OCTA in investigating retinal vascular dysfunction in HTN.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional observational study included patients with and without HTN.
- SD-OCTA imaging was performed using 3x3 mm and 6x6 mm scans, with a repeat 6x6 mm scan after a 30-second breath-hold to assess vasoreactivity.
- Quantitative analysis included vessel density (VD), vessel skeletonized density (VSD), fractal dimension (FD), and vessel diameter index (VDI).
Main Results:
- Hypertensive eyes showed significantly decreased VD and VSD in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and decreased VD in the choriocapillaris (6x6 mm scan).
- Fractal dimension (FD) was reduced in both SCP and choriocapillaris of hypertensive eyes.
- Reduced vasoreactivity (∆VD, ∆VSD) was observed in the deep capillary plexus (DCP), and elevated ∆VSD in the choriocapillaris of hypertensive patients.
Conclusions:
- SD-OCTA revealed significant differences in retinal vasculature, including reduced vessel density and altered fractal dimensions, in hypertensive patients.
- This study demonstrated the capability of OCT-A to investigate retinal vascular reactivity, highlighting potential functional impairments in HTN.
- SD-OCTA serves as a valuable tool for detecting and quantifying microvascular alterations associated with hypertension.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Hypertension II: Pathophysiology
93
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,...
93
01:30Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
62
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...
62
01:18Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure
3.1K
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...
3.1K