Retinal vessel diameters, flicker‐induced retinal vasodilation and retinal oxygen saturation in high‐ and low‐risk pregnancy

Abstract

Purpose To compare retinal vascular parameters between high‐risk and low‐risk pregnant women over time during pregnancy. Methods In a longitudinal study, we included pregnant women with normal blood pressure and normal body mass index (BMI, group 1), pregnant women with systemic hypertension and/or overweight (group 2) and age‐matched nonpregnant healthy women (group 3). Using the dynamic vessel analyser (DVA) we investigated flicker‐induced vasodilation in retinal arteries (FLA) and veins (FLV), central retinal arterial and vein equivalent (CRAE, CRVE), arterio‐venous ratio (AVR) and retinal arterial and venous oxygen saturation (SartO2, SveinO2). Study visits were scheduled 2nd trimester (TP 2), 3rd trimester (TP 3) and postpartum (PP). Results Data from 29 women in group 1, 25 women in group 2 and 33 women in group 3 were included for analysis. FLA, FLV, CRAE, CRVE, AVR and SveinO2 were altered in group 2 (p‐values between < 0.001 and 0.009). At TP 3 the differences between groups were most pronounced. In contrast, there were only minor differences between group 1 and 3. Changes in retinal parameters were independently associated with systemic blood pressure and BMI. Conclusions The present analysis indicates that flicker‐induced retinal vasodilation, retinal vessel diameters and retinal oxygen saturation are altered in high‐risk pregnant women. Hence, these parameters are candidate biomarkers for pregnancy complications, a hypothesis that deserves further study.

Clinical implications of retinal oximetry in retinal vein occlusion: a review

“…However, it must be noted that these risk factors may simply work primarily at the level of the occlusion rather than secondarily with hypoxic outcomes. Interestingly, pregnancy has also been associated with alterations in retinal vessel diameters and oxygen saturation (Sharifizad et al 2021). Chronic kidney disease, optic neuritis associated with multiple sclerosis, and coronary artery bypass surgery have all recently been associated with alterations in retinal oxygenation saturation as well (Dinesen et al 2020; Svrcinova et al 2020; Liu et al 2021).…”

Retinal oximetry and microvascular assessment after hypertensive pregnancy complications

“…Regarding the arteriolar and venular saturation indices, similar median values were found in the HDP and control groups. One other study investigated RO in women with either hypertension (both pre‐existing and gestational) or overweight grouped together ( n = 25, 17 of whom with hypertension) during pregnancy and 1–5 days postpartum (Sharifizad et al., 2021). The authors found no alterations in the SaO 2 compared to controls.…”