Aortic stiffness is associated with changes in retinal arteriole flow pulsatility mediated by local vasodilation in healthy young/middle-age adults
Seth W. Holwerda, Randy H. Kardon, Ryuya Hashimoto, Jan M Full, Julie Nellis, Lyndsey E. DuBose, Jess G. Fiedorowicz, Gary L. Pierce
Abstract
By using the human retinal microvasculature as an end-organ in vivo model, we confirm that aortic stiffness and related increases in central pulse pressure are inversely correlated with retinal arteriole lumen diameter and increased microvascular resistance among heathy young/middle-age adults. Additionally, higher aortic stiffness is not associated with excessive flow pulsatility in the retinal microvasculature under tonic conditions but may be related to limited reductions in retinal arteriole flow pulsatility in response to local vasodilation.
Topics & Concepts
ArterioleVasodilationRetinalInternal medicineMedicineCardiologyArterial stiffnessMicrocirculationPulse wave velocityLumen (anatomy)AnatomyBlood pressureOphthalmologyCardiovascular Health and Disease PreventionRetinal Imaging and AnalysisGlaucoma and retinal disorders