Optical coherence tomography angiography in cardiovascular disease

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Endothelial dysfunction and microvascular remodeling are key in cardiovascular disease (CVD) development.
• Current methods for assessing coronary microvascular function are invasive and costly.
• Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a noninvasive imaging technique used in ophthalmology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the current literature on OCTA in cardiovascular diseases.
• To summarize the clinical utility of retinal OCTA imaging for CVD.
• To discuss next-generation cardiovascular applications of OCTA.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature on OCTA and cardiovascular diseases.
• Analysis of studies associating retinal vascular changes on OCTA with CVD.
• Exploration of OCTA's potential as a surrogate marker for end-organ dysfunction.

Main Results:

• Growing evidence links retinal changes observed via OCTA with CVD development and progression.
• OCTA provides a quick, noninvasive assessment of vascular structures.
• Retinal OCTA may serve as a surrogate for end-organ dysfunction in CVD.

Conclusions:

• Retinal OCTA imaging shows significant potential in cardiovascular medicine.
• OCTA may enhance diagnostic performance, risk assessment, and prognostication for CVD.
• Future applications of OCTA in cardiovascular care are promising.