Impact of hypertension on retinal capillary microvasculature using optical coherence tomographic angiography.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

OBJECTIVE: Reduction in capillary density or rarefaction is a hallmark of essential hypertension. We measured the retinal capillary density using noninvasive optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCT-A) in adults with treated systemic hypertension and determined possible correlations with ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and renal parameters. METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study consisted of 153 normal eyes from 77 nondiabetic hypertensive adults [mean (SD) age, 58 (9) years; 49% women; 23% poorly controlled BP]. Data on 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring, serum creatinine, and urine microalbumin/creatinine ratio (MCR) were collected. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated based on CKD-EPI Creatinine Equation. Retinal capillary density measured with the OCT-A (AngioVue) at superficial (SVP) and deep vascular plexuses (DVP). Linear regression was used to investigate the association of risk factors with capillary density. RESULTS: Retinal capillary density (percentage) at DVP was reduced in patients with poorly controlled BP (SBP = 148 ± 8 mmHg; 27.2 ± 13.0) compared with those with well controlled BP (SBP = 125 ± 9 mmHg; 34.7 ± 11.3). In the multivariable analysis, poorly controlled BP [β = -6.49, 95% confidence interval (CI), -12.39 to -0.59], higher SBP (β = -0.23, 95% CI -0.44 to -0.02) and lower eGFR (β = 6.42, 95% CI 1.25-11.60) were associated with sparser retinal capillary density. Systemic factors were not associated with capillary density at SVP (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In adults with treated systemic hypertension, retinal capillary density reduced with higher BP and poorer eGFR. These findings highlight the potential role of OCT-A to study early microvascular changes because of systemic hypertension.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Chua, J; Chin, CWL; Hong, J; Chee, ML; Le, T-T; Ting, DSW; Wong, TY; Schmetterer, L

Published Date

  • March 2019

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 37 / 3

Start / End Page

  • 572 - 580

PubMed ID

  • 30113530

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC6365272

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1473-5598

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1097/HJH.0000000000001916

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • England