Application of Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Macular Analysis for Systemic Hypertension. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Anjos, R (Author) Other; Ferreira, A (Author) FMUP; Barkoudah, E (Author) Other; Claggett, B (Author) Other; Pinto, LA (Author) Other; Miguel, A (Author) Other

Journal

Title: American Journal of Hypertension

Vol. 35

Pages: 356-364

ISSN: 0895-7061

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 9 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00V-Q7A

DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpab172

Abstract (EN): Background Microvascular rarefaction due to hypertension has been linked to disease severity and end-organ complications. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) has been explored as a potential tool to evaluate the retinal microvascular network in hypertensive patients. Methods PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane were systematically searched to 10th of September of 2021, along with a manual search. Studies that used OCTA as a primary diagnostic method to evaluate the macular microvasculature of hypertensive patients were included. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. Primary outcomes were macular vessel density (VD) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) at the superficial and deep capillary plexus. Results Of 947 screened articles, 9 were found eligible for qualitative and quantitative analysis. VD in hypertensive patients was reduced when compared with controls in the fovea (0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87-0.99, P = 0.023) and the parafovea (0.95, 95% CI 0.93-0.97, P < 0.001) of the superficial capillary plexus. FAZ was larger in the deep plexus of hypertensive patients (1.10, 95% CI 1.03-1.18, P = 0.003). VD reduction was found in patients with worsening blood pressure control in 3 studies and prolonged disease in 2 studies. Conclusions Microvascular rarefaction of the macula is found in hypertensive patients with a reduction of foveal and parafoveal VD and an increase of FAZ area. Disease duration and severity might be related to a microvascular rarefaction. OCTA could offer a novel tool for the assessment and follow-up of hypertensive patients.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9