Retinal and choroidal vascular changes in coronary heart disease: an optical coherence tomography angiography study

Abstract

To reveal the association between retinal microvasculature changes and coronary heart disease (CHD), we assessed the full retinal thicknesses of eight areas, the vessel density of four layers (consisting of nine areas) and the flow area in two layers with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in CHD patients and healthy controls. The mean vessel density of several layers was significantly lower in patients. The difference in choroid capillary flow (negative correlation) between the two groups was significant. Decreased vessel density and blood flow were associated with coronary artery and branch stenosis. The decreases in retinal vessel density, choroidal vessel density, and blood flow area are closely related to coronary artery and branch stenosis.

Conflict of interest statement

None of the authors have any financial/conflicting interests to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1

Different layers on the retina examined by OCTA and corresponding parts in the thickness map, including the superficial, deep, outer retina and choroid capillary (A). Areas on the right eye examined by OCTA included the fovea, parafoveal circle, and superior, inferior, temporal, and nasal areas (B). Retinal thickness and vessel density chart, in which averages of retinal thickness (except in the whole image) and vessel density measurements of nine areas are calculated and automatically displayed (red frame) (C).

Fig. 2

The mean retinal thicknesses diameters (μm) in CHD patients (group A) and controls (group B) in eight regions.

Fig. 3

The vessel density (four layers) and flow area (two layers) of CHD patients (group A) and controls (group B) (***: P

Fig. 4

Comparison of CAG and OCTA images between a CHD patient and control participant. Both vessel density (superficial and deep layers) and choroid flow decreased significantly when coronary artery stenosis occurred (participants’ information has been hidden). The retinal thickness has no significant difference. (CHD patient: patient with coronary heart disease. Control: normal subject. Superficial: superficial layer of OCTA image. Deep: deep layer of OCTA image. OD: right eye. OS: left eye)