Purpose: Fractal analysis can be used to quantitatively analyze the retinal microvasculature and might be a suitable method to quantify retinal capillary changes in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. Retinal oximetry measurements might function as a proxy for the pathophysiology of cerebrovascular diseases. Moreover, hypoxia has an important role in the pathophysiology of diabetic and other retinopathies. However, little is known about the oximetry around the macula in SCD patients. With this study, we explored the feasibility to perform these quantified measurements in SCD patients.
Methods: Retinal microvascular and oximetry measurements were performed in eight SCD patients and eight healthy matched controls. Oximetry pictures and non-invasive capillary perfusion maps (nCPM) were obtained by the retinal function imager. Measurements were conducted twice on two different study days. Measured variables included monofractal dimension (Dbox), relative saturation, deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxyHb), and oxygenated hemoglobin (oxyHb) concentration.
Results: No statistically significant differences in vessel density were found in the different annular zones (large vessels, p = 0.66; small vessels, p = 0.66) and anatomical quadrants (large vessels, p = 0.74; small vessels, p = 0.72). Furthermore, no significant between-group differences were found in the other different anatomical quadrants and annular zones around the fovea for relative saturation levels and deoxygenated Hb. However, the oxyHb levels were significantly lower in SCD patients, compared with those in matched controls in the temporal quadrants (p = 0.04; p = 0.02) and the superior nasal quadrant (p = 0.05).
Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the feasibility of multispectral imaging to measure retinal changes in oxygenation in both SCD patients and matched volunteers. The results suggest that in SCD patients before any structural microvascular changes in the central retina are present, functional abnormalities can be observed with abnormal oximetry measurements.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00417-019-04458-0 | DOI Listing |
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common genetic disease in the world and a societal challenge. SCD is characterized by multi-organ injury related to intravascular hemolysis. To understand tissue-specific responses to intravascular hemolysis and exposure to heme, we present a transcriptomic atlas in the primary target organs of HbSS vs HbAA transgenic SCD mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown)
February 2025
Division of Cardiology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende (CS).
Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a genetic condition that increases the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias, which can result in sudden cardiac death (SCD). Implantable loop recorders (ILRs) have become a key tool in managing patients with unexplained syncope, and guidelines advise their use in individuals with recurrent, unexplained syncope or palpitations. However, the role of ILRs in inherited arrhythmic conditions like BrS remains a topic of debate.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Objective: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a vascular disease that may affect the retina. This study aimed to evaluate differences in average velocity (AV, mm/s), blood flow (BF, μL/min) and vessel diameter (VD, μm) from the temporal retinal arcades in SCD compared to healthy eyes using Doppler optical coherence tomography (DOCT).
Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2021 and 2023.
Front Public Health
January 2025
Center of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease Research and Training (CESRTA), University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.
Introduction: Newborn Screening (NBS) is a public health program designed to identify and provide early interventions for infants with genetic disorders such as Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Lack of awareness and unwillingness to participate in the NBS by caregivers and some healthcare workers are major contributing factors impeding NBS for SCD.
Objective: To evaluate the level of awareness and acceptance of NBS for SCD and the determinant factors influencing caregivers in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria.
Introduction: Cataract surgery has been reported to have a reducing effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucomatous and non-glaucomatous eyes. This effect seems to be more noticeable in eyes with narrow angles (NAs) than in eyes with open angles (OAs). Decrease in IOP may be a result of the increase in anterior chamber angle (ACA) and Schlemm canal (SC) after cataract surgery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!