Insights into the systemic processes influencing arteriolar and venular calibre

The retinal circulation offers a unique opportunity to visualize an organ-specific microcirculatory system and may provide insight on cardiovascular risk. The study aimed to examine the relative contributions of systemic cardiovascular factors to retinal arteriolar and venular calibre in men and women, as well as Whites vs African-Americans. To this end, retinal arteriolar calibre (central retinal arteriolar equivalent) and venular calibre (central retinal venular equivalent) were measured from digitized retinal photographs from 8794 participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Higher current mean arterial blood pressure, lower serum albumin level, current alcohol consumption, and higher body mass index were the main systemic determinants of narrower central retinal arteriolar equivalent, in order of relative decreasing contribution. Current cigarette smoking and higher current mean arterial blood pressure, followed by higher white blood cell count, body mass index, and plasma LDL cholesterol levels were the main systemic determinants of wider central retinal venular equivalent. The associations were similar in men and women, and in Whites and African-Americans. The major determinant of narrower retinal arteriolar calibre is higher blood pressure, whereas those of wider retinal venular calibre are cigarette smoking, higher blood pressure, systemic inflammation, and obesity. This data may help explain the observed associations of retinal vascular calibre and the risk of clinical cardiovascular disease.

Abstract

Keywords:
Eye disease – High blood pressure – Inflammation – Obesity – Smoking