Retinal Vasculature Fractal and Stroke Mortality.
Stroke
; 52(4): 1276-1282, 2021 04.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33611944
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
Fractal analysis is a method of quantifying the branching complexity and density of the retinal vessels. We hypothesized that reduced fractal dimension, signifying a sparser vascular network, is associated with long-term stroke mortality.METHODS:
We examined the relationship of fractal dimension and stroke mortality in a prospective, population-based cohort of 3143 participants aged 49 years or older. Fractal dimension was measured from digitized fundus photographs using a computer-automated method. Stroke mortality was documented from Australian National Death Index records. We defined reduced fractal dimension as values in the lowest quartile.RESULTS:
Over 12 years, there were 132 (4.2%) stroke-related deaths. Stroke-related mortality was higher in participants with reduced fractal dimension (lowest quartile) compared with the highest quartile (7.7% versus 1.3%, P<0.01). After controlling for age, gender, smoking, blood pressure, history of stroke, and other factors, participants with reduced fractal dimension had higher stroke mortality (hazard ratio, 2.42 [95% CI, 1.15-5.07], lowest versus highest quartile). When modeled as a continuous variable, reduced fractal dimension was associated with increased stroke mortality (multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.06-1.51], per SD decrease).CONCLUSIONS:
Reduced retinal vascular fractal dimension is independently associated with 12-year stroke mortality. Reduced fractal dimension may indicate cerebral tissue hypoxia and increased risk of stroke.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Vasos Retinianos
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Processamento de Imagem Assistida por Computador
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Fractais
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Acidente Vascular Cerebral
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Stroke
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article