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[The ocular fundus in ischemic cardiopathy]
M C Borgia1, E Leucci, E Ciarla
1Istituto di Clinica Oculistica, UTIC-II Clinica Medica, Università degli Studi di Roma, La Sapienza.
Minerva Cardioangiologica
|May 1, 1997
Summary
Retina vessel changes correlate with coronary artery disease. Eye fundus examination can indicate atherosclerosis in patients with coronary heart disease symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Retinal microcirculation alterations may reflect systemic vascular health.
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of mortality.
- Investigating non-invasive markers for CAD is crucial for early detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a correlation between retinal vessel abnormalities and coronary artery alterations in patients.
- To assess the diagnostic potential of eye fundus examination in identifying coronary pathology.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 103 patients was studied, including 63 with diagnosed coronary heart disease and 40 controls.
- Ophthalmic examinations (eye fundus tests) and coronary angiography (coronarography) were performed.
- Key cardiovascular risk factors (cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, smoking) were evaluated.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was observed between positive findings in eye fundus examinations and coronary angiography.
- Negative eye fundus results did not exclude the presence of underlying organic coronary lesions.
- Retinal microcirculation changes identified via fundus examination were indicative of atherosclerosis in symptomatic patients.
Conclusions:
- Eye fundus examination serves as a valuable indicator for detecting coronary artery atherosclerosis in symptomatic individuals.
- The study highlights the potential of retinal imaging as a non-invasive tool for cardiovascular risk assessment.
- Further research can explore the integration of ophthalmological findings into cardiovascular screening protocols.