A histological investigation into the correlation of central retinal artery atherosclerosis with the systemic circulation

ABSTRACT
Current research suggests that retinal arterial changes such as arteriovenous nicking and arterial narrowing are pathologically distinct from atherosclerosis. Other studies have found a positive correlation between retinal changes and systemic atherosclerosis. However, limited recent histopathologic evidence assessing atherosclerosis in the central retinal artery exists. We investigated atherosclerosis in the central retinal artery and how it correlates to atherosclerosis in the carotid and coronary arteries. Twenty‐two cadavers (12 males, 10 females) were dissected, obtaining one orbit, one carotid artery, and one coronary artery from each. The specimens were sectioned and stained for histologic analysis by light microscopy using hematoxylin and eosin, Verhoeff's elastic, and Gomori's trichrome stains. The degree of atherosclerosis was graded from absent, or I (least severe) to VIII (most severe) based on the current American Heart Association guidelines. Atherosclerotic changes were present in the central retinal, coronary, and carotid arteries. A positive correlation was found between the central retinal artery and the carotid artery (r = 0.23, P = 0.15), the central retinal artery and the coronary artery (r = 0.31, P = 0.08), and the carotid artery and the coronary artery (r = 0.45, P = 0.02). The presence of low‐grade atherosclerosis in the central retinal artery is prevalent in a population of advanced vascular disease. However, cent...

Source: The Anatomical Record Part B: The New Anatomist - May 1, 2014 Category: Anatomy Authors: Matthew J. Schear, Brian Lee Beatty Tags: Full Article Source Type: research