Association of retinal vessel calibers and longitudinal changes in arterial stiffness

Abstract

Narrower CRAE in middle-age was associated with the long-term risk of arteriosclerosis in a general population sample.

Associations of retinal microvascular caliber with intermediate phenotypes of large arterial function and structure: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Given that almost all the included studies were cross‐sectional, we were unable to explore the temporal directions of the observed associations. The only longitudinal study, which followed an adult population over five years, suggested that narrower retinal arteriolar caliber was an independent predictor of increased PWV . Longitudinal replication in other cohorts is warranted.…”

“…The only longitudinal study, which followed an adult population over five years, suggested that narrower retinal arteriolar caliber was an independent predictor of increased PWV. 43 Longitudinal replication in other cohorts is warranted. Participants were mainly middle-or older-aged adults, limiting conclusions that could be drawn for younger stages of the life course.…”

“…ZCOR, Fisher's z transformation of correlations; P, patient group; G, general population; CI, confidence interval fibers of arterial walls, resulting in increased arterial stiffness 56. This hypothesis is supported by a longitudinal population-based study indicating that narrower arteriolar caliber was independently associated with increased PWV five years later 43. Similarly, damage to the structure and function of large arteries may itself result in adverse changes to the microcirculation 14.…”

Retinal Microvasculature in Relation to Central Hemodynamics in a Flemish Population

“…16 Nonmydriatic retinal photography allows noninvasive visualization of the retinal microvasculature in population surveys. 17–19 Few studies addressed the association between the retinal microcirculation and the properties of the large arteries 20–24 but are difficult to interpret, because they cannot be generalized to the general population, 21,23 because they involved brachial-ankle PWV and thereby encompassed both elastic and muscular arteries, 22,24 or because they had a small sample size. 21,23 Our literature review did not reveal any previous study that addressed the possible association of retinal microvascular traits with the forward and backward components of the aortic pulse wave.…”

“…21,23 Our literature review did not reveal any previous study that addressed the possible association of retinal microvascular traits with the forward and backward components of the aortic pulse wave. 20–24 We addressed this knowledge gap by analyzing data from the FLEMENGHO (Flemish Study on Environment, Genes, and Health Outcomes). 25…”