Hypertensive Retinopathy Flashcards
What changes do you see in Grade 1 HTN Retinopathy?
- Vasospasm w thickening & sclerosis of the arteriole –> narrowing & attenuation
- Copper –> Silver wiring
- More silver wiring as HTN gets worse
What changes do you see in Grade 2 HTN Retinopathy?
- Retinal arteriovenous nicking
- Hardened artery compresses on vein
- Significant narrowing/attenuation (<1/2)
- Salus’s sign: deflection of retinal veins at AV –> S sign
What changes do you see in Grade 3 HTN Retinopathy?
- Grade 2 Diastolic BP 110 to 115 mmHg (Stage 2 HTN)
- Disruption of BRB due to damage of arterioles & capillaries (fibrinoid necrosis/loss of endothelium cell lining the BV)
- Hypoxia
- Retinal hemes
- CWS
- Exudates
- Bonnet sign
- Gunn sign
What changes do you see in Grade 4 HTN Retinopathy?
- Malignant HTN (Diastolic BP 130 to 140 mmHg
- ONH Edema (due to INC in ICP, leakage of retinal vessels near the optic near, ischemia & axoplasmic flow stasis)
- Macular star (exudates fall in Henle’s layer). Found in OPL
- High risk of organ damage
Is tortuosity of arteries always a sign of HTN ret?
NO
Many people are born w naturally tortuous arteries
Early stages the arteries are actually straightened and than become tortuous over time (80% of the time tortuous arteries are NOT secondary to vascular disease)
What do retinal arterioles and venules share?
the same outer sheath when crossing
What happens to vision in chronic changes of grade 1 and 2?
Typically no visual changes
What happens to vision in acute changes of grade 3 and 4?
May have DEC in Vision
Simplified classification of HTN retinopathy for Mild Stage includes:
- Generalized arteriolar attenuation
- Focal arteriolar attenuation
- AV nicking (Salus, Bonnet, Gunn)
- Copper Wiring
Moderate HTN retinopathy (simplified classification) includes:
- Signs of mild HTNr etinopathy
- Retinal hemes
- MA
- CWS
- Exudates
Malignant HTN retinopathy (simplified classification) includes:
- Mild and moderate signs
2. Optic Nerve Edema
Benefits of simplified version vs Keith-Wagener Barker Classification?
- Better reliability & reproducibility
- Better in predicting long term risk of stroke
- More accurate in associating with CVD
- Easier to use
What kind of innervation makes arteries in choroid more susceptible to vasoconstriction?
Sympathetic!
NOTE: choriocapillaris is fenestrated (elevated BP INC amount of leakage)
Where is Elschnig’s spots, Siegrist’s streaks, and RPE/sensory retina detachments seen in?
HTN Choroidopathy
What is Elschnig’s spots?
Yellow circular lesions that later become pigmented due to RPE damage
Occurs over non-perfused areas of choriocapillaris