Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Retinal image software tested for diagnosing high blood pressure
By Cirla, Alessandro et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2019·Department of Ophthalmology, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: VAMPIREfundus image analysis algorithms: Validation and diagnostic relevance in hypertensive cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 43 hypertensive cats with no visible eye problems underwent retinal imaging to see if a new software called VAMPIRE could help detect changes in their eye blood vessels. The software measured various aspects of the blood vessels in the retina, and the results showed significant differences between healthy cats and those with hypertension. This suggests that VAMPIRE could be a helpful tool for veterinarians to diagnose eye problems related to high blood pressure in cats. Overall, the study indicates that this imaging technique may improve how we monitor and diagnose systemic hypertension in felines.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To validate a retinal imaging software named VAMPIRE(Vascular Assay and Measurement Platform for Images of the Retina) in feline patients and test the clinical utility in hypertensive cats. ANIMALS STUDIED: One hundred and five healthy cats were enrolled. They represented the normal dataset used in the validation (group 1). Forty-three hypertensive cats with no noticeable retinal abnormalities were enrolled for the clinical validity of the software (group 2). PROCEDURES: Eleven points (4 veins, 4 arteries, and 3 arterial bifurcations) were measured for each digital image. Repeatability and reproducibility of measurements were assessed using two independent operators. Data were statistically analyzed by the Mann-Whiney and Tukey box plot. Significance was considered when P < 0.05. RESULTS: Two hundred and ten retinal images were analyzed for a total of 2310 measurements. Total mean was 9.1 and 6.1 pixels for veins and arteries, respectively. First, second, and third arteriolar bifurcations angles were 73.6°, 76.9°, and 85.4°, respectively. A comparison between groups 1 and 2 showed a statistically significant reduction in arteriolar diameter (mean 3.3 pixels) and branch angle (55°, 47.8° and 59.9°) associated with increasing vein diameter (mean 24.15 pixels). CONCLUSIONS: Current image analysis techniques used in human medicine were investigated in terms of extending their use to veterinary medicine. The VAMPIREalgorithm proved useful for an objective diagnosis of retinal vasculature changes secondary to systemic hypertension in cats, and could be an additional diagnostic test for feline systemic hypertension.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30793467/