Chapman N, Mohamudally A, Stanton A, Sever P, et al
Vascular network geometry: the missing link between birth
weight and cardiovascular risk?
16th Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hypertension
ISH Abstract Book
(Jun) 16: 1996
This paper tests the
hypothesis that abnormalities of vascular geometry, (previously shown
to be associated with rarefaction of the microcirculation and
hypertension), are predicted by low birth weight and thus may provide
the link between low birth weight and increased risk of cardiovascular
disease.
A random sample of 100 men (65-yr), from a cohort in
Hertfordshire, were stratified by birth weight and systolic blood pressure.
The retina was chosen as an accessible example of a
microvascular network. Retinal vascular geometrical parameters,
including arteriolar bifurcation angles, were measured from
photographic negatives using operator directed image analysis.
The low
birth weight groups had significantly narrowed bifurcation angles
compared to the high birth weight groups. However, there was no
difference in angles between high and low blood pressure groups. The
main conclusion of this interesting paper is that low birth weight is
associated with narrowed bifurcation angles in the retinal
microvasculature. This has previously been shown to imply vascular
rarefaction.
Comment: A reduction in vascular density due to defective
angiogenesis in utero might be the link between low birth weight and
increased cardiovascular risk in adulthood (Carmine Zoccali, M.D,
Reggio Calabria, Italy).
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16th Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hypertension
H: Pathophysiology :
Fetal origins, birth weight
H: Pathophysiology :
Vascular pathology