Artikel
Endothelial damage caused by ageing measured by Retinal Vessel Analyzer
Retinale Gefäßdarstellung mittels Retinal Vessel Analyzer zur Charakterisierung des Endothelschadens durch Altern
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Veröffentlicht: | 10. August 2005 |
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Background: The ocular fundus offers the unique non invasive possibility to visualize vessels. By image analysis it is possible to perceive vessels in their dynamic state online. The different vessel widths can be characterized along a given vessel segment.
Methods: 10 healthy volunteers of the age group of 20-30 years and 60-70 years each were examined for 2 minutes by retinal vessel analyser (RVA / Fa. IMEDOS, Jena). In arterial segments of a length of approximately 1,5 mm vessel diameters were measured. Differences in amplitude and frequency of vessel widths change was characterized by the calculated parameter: SEF (spectral end frequency).
Results: SEF was statistically significantly different in both examined age groups (0.102 +/- 0.030 in young volunteers and 0.146 +/- 0.040 in the elderly group).
Discussion: Retinal branch vessels possess alternating vessel diameters. Using the retinal vessel analyser the frequency and amplitude of diameter differences can be assessed. We describe the parameter SEF, which we termed 'vessel thickness frequency change'. In the group of older volunteers this parameter is significantly different from younger volunteers. This means, that vessels in the elderly assume a less regular profile. We think this might be an expression of endothelial damage.