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Evaluation of Capillary and Other Vessel Contribution to Macular Perfusion Density Measured with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
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Retinal vascular density change in patients with heart failure

Caner Topaloglu1, Sinan Bekmez2

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Izmir University of Economics, Izmir, Turkey.

Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
|May 21, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Heart failure (HF) patients exhibit reduced retinal microvascular density, particularly in the deep capillary plexus, compared to healthy individuals. OCT-A imaging reveals significant changes in retinal perfusion among HF patients, correlating with disease severity.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Heart failure (HF) is a complex syndrome affecting cardiovascular and systemic microcirculation.
  • Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) offers non-invasive visualization of retinal microvasculature.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate choroid thickness and retinal vessel density in superficial and deep capillary plexuses in HF patients using OCT-A.
  • To compare these parameters between HF patients of varying severity and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • OCT-A imaging was performed on 36 healthy participants and 33 HF patients (LVEF <50%).
  • HF patients were stratified into two groups based on NYHA classification (Group 2 and Group 3).
  • Choroid thickness, superficial, and deep capillary plexus perfusion were analyzed and compared across groups.

Main Results:

  • A significant decrease in choroid thickness was observed in HF groups compared to controls.
  • Superficial capillary plexus density showed no significant difference between HF groups and controls, but decreased in NYHA Class III patients.
  • Deep capillary plexus density significantly decreased in NYHA Class III patients and showed significant differences among HF groups.

Conclusions:

  • HF patients demonstrate reduced retinal microvascular density compared to healthy controls.
  • Significant alterations in retinal perfusion exist among HF patients, varying with disease severity.
  • OCT-A assessment of retinal perfusion may provide insights into the hemodynamic status and microcirculatory changes in HF.
Abstract

Keywords:
Heart failureMicrovascular changesOptical coherence tomography angiography

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