Alterations of Choroidal and Retinal Microvasculature in Heart Failure Patients with Reduced Ejection Fraction

Abstract

This cross-sectional study designed to assess alterations of choroidal and retinal microvasculature in patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF) and compare them with a normal age-matched population. Fifty-two eyes of 26 patients with HFrEF (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] < 40%) and 64 eyes of 32 healthy individuals considered as the patient and the control groups, respectively. The whole image, foveal, parafoveal, and perifoveal age-adjusted mean superficial and deep capillary plexus VD showed statistically significant differences between the HFrEF group and the normal controls (P = 0.007, P = 0.000, P = 0.006, and P = 0.026, respectively). The patients with HFrEF had a significantly lower subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) than the normal subjects (264 ± 82 vs 313 ± 72, respectively; P = 0.009), and the difference was still statistically significant after age adjustment (P = 0.004). Although choroidal vascularity index (CVI) was lower in the HFrEF group than in the control group, the difference was not statistically significant before and after age adjustment (73.45 ± 6.67 vs 75.77 ± 5.92, respectively; P = 0.118 and P = 0.098, respectively). In conclusion, in patients with HFrEF, we observed a reduction in retinal VD in both the superficial and deep capillary plexuses, as well as SFCT, but no significant change in CVI.