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Retinal Microangiopathy as a Marker of Coronary Atherosclerotic Heart Disease

Xinyu Wang1,2, Hui Zhang3, Hui Lu1

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, Shandong Province, 255000, People's Republic of China.

International Journal of General Medicine
|August 11, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, a leading cause of death, affects the heart and eye's blood vessels. Retinal microvascular changes may serve as a diagnostic indicator for this condition.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAHD) is a major global cause of mortality.
  • CAHD involves plaque buildup in heart arteries, reducing blood flow and causing vasospasm.
  • Risk factors include advanced age, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms linking coronary atherosclerotic heart disease to retinal microvascular alterations.
  • To explore the diagnostic potential of retinal microvascular changes in assessing CAHD.
  • To examine morphological and density changes in retinal vasculature associated with CAHD.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on coronary heart disease and retinal microvasculature.
  • Analysis of mechanisms causing retinal microvascular disease in CAHD patients.
  • Examination of research on morphological and density alterations in retinal vessels.

Main Results:

  • CAHD is associated with kidney and cerebrovascular diseases.
  • Structural and functional changes occur in the eye's retinal microvasculature due to CAHD.
  • Retinal microvascular changes show promise as biomarkers for CAHD prognosis.

Conclusions:

  • Retinal microvascular changes are a significant indicator of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease.
  • Further research into retinal vascular alterations can improve CAHD diagnosis and management.
  • The eye's microvasculature offers a window into systemic vascular health affected by CAHD.

Keywords:
OCTAcoronary heart diseaseretinal arteriovenous ratioretinal microvasculatureretinal vessel density

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