Refine
Year of publication
Institute
- IfB - Institut für Bioengineering (602) (remove)
Language
- English (602) (remove)
Document Type
- Article (404)
- Conference Proceeding (146)
- Part of a Book (34)
- Book (7)
- Doctoral Thesis (3)
- Other (3)
- Lecture (2)
- Conference: Meeting Abstract (1)
- Patent (1)
- Talk (1)
Keywords
- Finite-Elemente-Methode (7)
- Limit analysis (6)
- Clusterion (5)
- Shakedown analysis (5)
- solar sail (5)
- Air purification (4)
- Einspielen <Werkstoff> (4)
- Hämoglobin (4)
- Lipopolysaccharide (4)
- Luftreiniger (4)
- Plasmacluster ion technology (4)
- Raumluft (4)
- Sonde (4)
- CellDrum (3)
- Eisschicht (3)
- GOSSAMER-1 (3)
- Kohlenstofffaser (3)
- MASCOT (3)
- lipopolysaccharides (3)
- shakedown analysis (3)
- Analytischer Zulaessigkeitsnachweis (2)
- Biocomposites (2)
- Bruchmechanik (2)
- Einspiel-Analyse (2)
- Erythrozyt (2)
- FEM (2)
- Fibroblast (2)
- Iterative learning control (2)
- Mars (2)
- Natural fibres (2)
- Pflanzenphysiologie (2)
- Pflanzenscanner (2)
- Polymer-matrix composites (2)
- Shakedown (2)
- Solar sail (2)
- Spacecraft (2)
- Stickstoffmonoxid (2)
- Stiffness (2)
- Stress concentrations (2)
- Technische Mechanik (2)
- Trajectory Optimization (2)
- bacterial cellulose (2)
- biopotential electrodes (2)
- carbonized rice husk (2)
- celldrum technology (2)
- damage (2)
- locomotion (2)
- multiple NEA rendezvous (2)
- muscle fascicle behavior (2)
- nanostructured carbonized plant parts (2)
- nanostrukturierte carbonisierte Pflanzenteile (2)
- nitric oxide gas (2)
- plant scanner (2)
- prebiotic (2)
- ratchetting (2)
- shakedown (2)
- small spacecraft (2)
- ultrasound (2)
- ultrasound imaging (2)
- Achilles tendon (1)
- Adaptive control (1)
- Adsorption (1)
- Ageing (1)
- AlterG (1)
- Alternating plasticity (1)
- Alzheimer's disease (1)
- Analysis (1)
- Anastomose (1)
- Anastomosis (1)
- Anastomotic leakage (1)
- Anatomy (1)
- Annulus Fibrosus (1)
- Antarctic Glaciology (1)
- Antarctica (1)
- Architectural gear ratio (1)
- Assistive technology (1)
- Asteroid Deflection (1)
- Attitude dynamics (1)
- Autofluoreszenzverfahren (1)
- Autolysis (1)
- Automated Optimization (1)
- Automatic control (1)
- Axialbelastung (1)
- Axially cracked pipe (1)
- Bacillus sp (1)
- Bacterial cellulose (1)
- Bakterien (1)
- Biomechanical simulation (1)
- Biomechanics (1)
- Biomechanik (1)
- Biomedizinische Technik (1)
- Bioreaktor (1)
- Biosolubilization (1)
- Bladder (1)
- Blutzellenlagerung (1)
- Bone quality and biomechanics (1)
- Bone sawing (1)
- Carbon sources (1)
- Cardiac myocytes (1)
- Cardiac tissue (1)
- Cell permeability (1)
- Cellular force (1)
- Cellulose nanostructure (1)
- Cement infiltration (1)
- Cementoblast (1)
- Chance constrained programming (1)
- Circular Dichroism (1)
- Coal (1)
- Coefficient of ocular rigidity (1)
- Collagen fibrils (1)
- Compression (1)
- Computational biomechanics (1)
- Connective tissues (1)
- Constitutive model (1)
- Contractile tension (1)
- Corneo-scleral shell (1)
- Cost-effectiveness (1)
- Culture media (1)
- DLR-ESTEC GOSSAMER roadmap for solar sailing (1)
- Damage mechanics theory (1)
- Dattel (1)
- Decomposition (1)
- Deformation (1)
- Dekontamination (1)
- Design-by-analysis (1)
- Differential tonometry (1)
- Disc Degeneration (1)
- Discontinuous fractures (1)
- Druckbeanspruchung (1)
- Druckbehälter (1)
- Druckbelastung (1)
- Drug simulation (1)
- Dry surfaces (1)
- EEG (1)
- ES-FEM (1)
- Einspiel-Kriterium (1)
- Einspielen (1)
- Elastostatics (1)
- Electromechanical modeling (1)
- Elektrodynamik (1)
- End-to-end colorectal anastomosis (1)
- Endothelial cells (1)
- Endothelial dysfunction (1)
- Endothelzelle (1)
- Environmental impact (1)
- Epithel (1)
- Evolution of damage (1)
- Evolutionary Neurocontrol (1)
- Exact Ilyushin yield surface (1)
- Experiment (1)
- Extension fracture (1)
- Extension strain criterion (1)
- External knee adduction moments (1)
- Extracellular matrix (ECM) (1)
- Extraterrestrial Glaciology (1)
- Eyeball (1)
- FGF23 (1)
- FS-FEM (1)
- Fehlerstellen (1)
- Finite element analysis (1)
- Finite element analysis (FEA) (1)
- Finite element method (1)
- Finite element modelling (1)
- First Order Reliabiblity Method (1)
- First-order reliability method (1)
- Fließgrenze (1)
- Force (1)
- Forces (1)
- Fracture configuration (1)
- Fracture simulation (1)
- Freeze–thaw process (1)
- Frequency adaption (1)
- Geriatric (1)
- Glaciological instruments and methods (1)
- Glaucoma (1)
- Global and local collapse (1)
- Gossamer (1)
- Gossamer structures (1)
- Grenzwertberechnung (1)
- Growth modelling (1)
- H2 (1)
- Haemodialysis (1)
- Handbike (1)
- Harnleiter (1)
- Heart tissue culture (1)
- Hemoglobin structure (1)
- Hip fractures (1)
- Hodgkin–Huxley models (1)
- Homogenization (1)
- Human-Computer interaction (1)
- Hybrid Propellants (1)
- Hydrodynamik (1)
- Hydrogel (1)
- Hydrogenotrophic methanogens (1)
- Hämoglobinstruktur (1)
- Ice melting probe (1)
- Ice penetration (1)
- Icy moons (1)
- Impedance Spectroscopy (1)
- Induced pluripotent stem cells (1)
- Inotropic compounds (1)
- Interplanetary flight (1)
- Interstellar objects (1)
- Intervertebral Disc (1)
- Intradiscal Pressure (1)
- Inverse dynamic problem (1)
- Inverse kinematic problem (1)
- Ion channels (1)
- Jupiter (1)
- Kinematics (1)
- Kinetics (1)
- Klotho (1)
- Knee (1)
- Knochen (1)
- Knochenbildung (1)
- Knochenchirugie (1)
- Knochendichte (1)
- Körpertemperatur (1)
- LPS (1)
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (1)
- Lichtstreuungsbasierte Instrumente (1)
- Liver (1)
- Load modeling (1)
- Long COVID (1)
- Low-Thrust Propulsion (1)
- Machine learning (1)
- Manipulated variables (1)
- Mechanical simulation (1)
- Mechanical stability (1)
- Mechanics (1)
- Mechanische Beanspruchung (1)
- Mechanotransduction (1)
- Medusomyces gisevi (1)
- Methane (1)
- Methanogenesis (1)
- Microbial adhesion (1)
- Microcirculation (1)
- Mild cognitive impairment (1)
- Missions (1)
- Mohr–Coulomb criterion (1)
- Multimode failure (1)
- Multiphase (1)
- Muscle (1)
- Muscle Fascicle (1)
- Muscle Force (1)
- Muscle fibers (1)
- Musculoskeletal model (1)
- Musculoskeletal system (1)
- Myocardial infarction and cardiac death (1)
- NONOate (1)
- Natriumhypochlorit (1)
- Niacin (1)
- Nitric Oxide (1)
- Nitric Oxide Donor (1)
- Non-linear optimization (1)
- Non-parallel fissures (1)
- Nucleus Pulposus (1)
- Ocean worlds (1)
- Ocular blood flow (1)
- Orbital dynamics (1)
- Organkultur (1)
- Osteoporose (1)
- Osteoporosis (1)
- PFM (1)
- PHILAE (1)
- PTH (1)
- Paralympic sport (1)
- Passive stretching (1)
- Pelvic floor dysfunction (1)
- Pelvic muscle (1)
- Permeability (1)
- Permeabilität (1)
- Pflanzenstress (1)
- Pharmacology (1)
- Phosphate (1)
- Physiology (1)
- Planetary Protection (1)
- Planetary exploration (1)
- Plastizität (1)
- Post-COVID-19 syndrome (1)
- Pressure loaded crack-face (1)
- Pressure-volume relationship (1)
- Prevention (1)
- Progressive plastic deformation (1)
- Prophylaxis (1)
- Proteine (1)
- Proximal humerus fracture (1)
- Pulsations (1)
- RVA (1)
- Random variable (1)
- Ratcheting (1)
- Ratchetting (1)
- Recombinant activated protein C (1)
- Reconstruction (1)
- Red blood cell storage (1)
- Rehabilitation Technology and Prosthetics (1)
- Rehabilitation engineering (1)
- Reliability analysis (1)
- Reliability of structures (1)
- Retinal vessel analysis (1)
- Retinal vessels (1)
- Reusable Rocket Engines (1)
- Riboflavin (1)
- Robotic rehabilitation (1)
- Rohr (1)
- Rohrbruch (1)
- Rotator cuff (1)
- Running (1)
- S-FEM (1)
- Sampling methods (1)
- Schwammknochen (1)
- Sensitivity (1)
- Sepsis (1)
- Septic cardiomyopathy (1)
- Sequence-Search (1)
- Shakedown criterion (1)
- Simulation (1)
- Skeletal muscle (1)
- Sleep EEG (1)
- Small Aral Sea (1)
- Small Solar System Body Lander (1)
- Small Spacecraft (1)
- Small spacecraft (1)
- Solar Power Sail (1)
- Solar Sail (1)
- Spacecraft Trajectory Optimization (1)
- Spleen (1)
- Stahl (1)
- Statics (1)
- Stochastic programming (1)
- Strukturanalyse (1)
- Subclacial exploration (1)
- Subglacial lakes (1)
- Surface microorganisms (1)
- Surgical Navigation and Robotics (1)
- Surgical staplers (1)
- Swabbing (1)
- Tapered ends (1)
- Temperaturabhängigkeit (1)
- Tendon Rupture (1)
- Tendon properties (1)
- Tendons (1)
- Tension (1)
- Thiamine (1)
- Tissue Engineering (1)
- Traglastanalyse (1)
- Training (1)
- Trajectories (1)
- Ultrasound (1)
- Uniaxial compression test (1)
- Ureter (1)
- Variable height stapler design (1)
- Vascular response (1)
- Vasomotions (1)
- Vertebroplastie (1)
- Vertebroplasty (1)
- Viscous flow (1)
- Viskose Strömung (1)
- Viskosität (1)
- Visual field asymmetry (1)
- Vitamin A (1)
- Vitamin B (1)
- Vitamin D (1)
- Wasserbrücke (1)
- Wasserstoffperoxid (1)
- Wolff's Law (1)
- Wolffsches Gesetz (1)
- Wundheilung (1)
- Zug-Druck Belastung (1)
- achilles tendon (1)
- actin cytoskeleton (1)
- activated nanostructured carbon (1)
- adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) (1)
- adsorption (1)
- agility (1)
- aktivierte nanostrukturierte Kohlenstofffaser (1)
- alternierend Verformbarkeit (1)
- anaesthetic complications (1)
- anisotropy (1)
- aortic perfusion (1)
- asteroid lander (1)
- asteroid sample return (1)
- attitude dynamics (1)
- autofluorescence-based detection system (1)
- biaxial tensile experiment (1)
- biofilms (1)
- biomechanics (1)
- bone density (1)
- bone structure (1)
- burst pressure (1)
- burst tests (1)
- cancellous bone (1)
- cardiomyocyte biomechanics (1)
- cell aerosolization (1)
- cell atomization (1)
- cerebral small vessel disease (1)
- chance constrained programming (1)
- coculture (1)
- cognitive impairment (1)
- community dwelling (1)
- computational fluid dynamics analysis (1)
- connective tissue (1)
- constitutive modeling (1)
- constructive alignment (1)
- contractile tension (1)
- correlation (1)
- crop yield (1)
- cytosolic water diffusion (1)
- date palm tree (1)
- dental trauma (1)
- design-by-analysis (1)
- dialysis (1)
- difficult airway (1)
- distorted element (1)
- double-lumen tube intubation (1)
- drop jump (1)
- ecological structure (1)
- electromyography (1)
- endoluminal (1)
- energy absorption (1)
- energy dissipation (1)
- epithelization (1)
- examination (1)
- exopolysaccharides (1)
- extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (1)
- finite element analysis (1)
- flaw (1)
- flotilla missions (1)
- force generation (1)
- forehead EEG (1)
- fortschreitende plastische Deformation (1)
- gait (1)
- habitability (1)
- healthy aging (1)
- heliosphere (1)
- hemoglobin (1)
- hemoglobin dynamics (1)
- hiPS cardiomyocytes (1)
- high-intensity exercise (1)
- human dermal fibroblasts (1)
- humic acid (1)
- hydrogel (1)
- hyper-gravity (1)
- hyperelastic (1)
- hypo-gravity (1)
- ice moons (1)
- icy moons (1)
- immobilization (1)
- impedance spectroscopy (1)
- in-ear EEG (1)
- intraclass correlation coefficient (1)
- ion propulsion (1)
- kontraktile Spannung (1)
- life detection (1)
- light scattering analysis (1)
- lignite (1)
- limit analysis (1)
- limit and shakedown analysis (1)
- linear kinematic hardening (1)
- lipopolysaccharide (1)
- load limit (1)
- long-term retention (1)
- low-rank coal (1)
- low-thrust (1)
- low-thrust trajectory optimization (1)
- material shakedown (1)
- mechanical buffer (1)
- metagenomics (1)
- microbial diversity (1)
- multimodal (1)
- muscle mechanics (1)
- near-Earth asteroid (1)
- non-simplex S-FEM elements (1)
- nonlinear kinematic hardening (1)
- orbit control (1)
- orbital dynamics (1)
- overload (1)
- parabolic flight (1)
- performance testing (1)
- physiology (1)
- pipes (1)
- planetary defence (1)
- plant stress (1)
- plasma generated ions (1)
- practical learning (1)
- prevention (1)
- probabilistic fracture mechanics (1)
- protein (1)
- psychosocial (1)
- pullulan (1)
- rehabilitation (1)
- reliability of structures (1)
- responsive space (1)
- retinal microvasculature (1)
- retinal vessels (1)
- rhAPC (1)
- running (1)
- sEMG (1)
- sailcraft (1)
- sample return (1)
- sarcomere operating length (1)
- second-order reliability method (1)
- sensors (1)
- series elastic element behavior (1)
- shotgun sequencing (1)
- shoulder (1)
- simulation (1)
- small solar system body characterisation (1)
- small spacecraft asteroid lander (1)
- small spacecraft solar sail (1)
- smooth muscle contraction (1)
- soil amendment (1)
- soil health (1)
- soil remediation (1)
- solar sails (1)
- solar system (1)
- space missions (1)
- sprint start (1)
- standard error of measurement (1)
- stiffness (1)
- stochastic programming (1)
- strain energy function (1)
- stretch reflex (1)
- stretch-shortening cycle (1)
- subglacial aquatic ecosystems (1)
- subsurface ice (1)
- subsurface ice research (1)
- subsurface probe (1)
- surface modification (1)
- survival (1)
- system engineering (1)
- tendon rupture (1)
- tension–torsion loading (1)
- test-retest reliability (1)
- training simulator (1)
- tri-lineage differentiation (1)
- twin-fluid atomizer (1)
- ultrasonography (1)
- underwater vehicle (1)
- unloading (1)
- vessels (1)
- videolaryngoscopy (1)
- virgin passive (1)
- virtual reality (1)
- viscoelasticity (1)
- walking (1)
- walking gait (1)
- water bridge phenomenon (1)
- wound healing (1)
- yield stress (1)
Altered gastrocnemius contractile behavior in former achilles tendon rupture patients during walking
(2022)
Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) remains associated with functional limitations years after injury. Architectural remodeling of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle is typically observed in the affected leg and may compensate force deficits caused by a longer tendon. Yet patients seem to retain functional limitations during—low-force—walking gait. To explore the potential limits imposed by the remodeled GM muscle-tendon unit (MTU) on walking gait, we examined the contractile behavior of muscle fascicles during the stance phase. In a cross-sectional design, we studied nine former patients (males; age: 45 ± 9 years; height: 180 ± 7 cm; weight: 83 ± 6 kg) with a history of complete unilateral ATR, approximately 4 years post-surgery. Using ultrasonography, GM tendon morphology, muscle architecture at rest, and fascicular behavior were assessed during walking at 1.5 m⋅s–1 on a treadmill. Walking patterns were recorded with a motion capture system. The unaffected leg served as control. Lower limbs kinematics were largely similar between legs during walking. Typical features of ATR-related MTU remodeling were observed during the stance sub-phases corresponding to series elastic element (SEE) lengthening (energy storage) and SEE shortening (energy release), with shorter GM fascicles (36 and 36%, respectively) and greater pennation angles (8° and 12°, respectively). However, relative to the optimal fascicle length for force production, fascicles operated at comparable length in both legs. Similarly, when expressed relative to optimal fascicle length, fascicle contraction velocity was not different between sides, except at the time-point of peak series elastic element (SEE) length, where it was 39 ± 49% lower in the affected leg. Concomitantly, fascicles rotation during contraction was greater in the affected leg during the whole stance-phase, and architectural gear ratios (AGR) was larger during SEE lengthening. Under the present testing conditions, former ATR patients had recovered a relatively symmetrical walking gait pattern. Differences in seen AGR seem to accommodate the profound changes in MTU architecture, limiting the required fascicle shortening velocity. Overall, the contractile behavior of the GM fascicles does not restrict length- or velocity-dependent force potentials during this locomotor task.
Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) patients have persistent functional deficits in the triceps surae muscle–tendon unit (MTU). The complex remodeling of the MTU accompanying these deficits remains poorly understood. The purpose of the present study was to associate in vivo and in silico data to investigate the relations between changes inMTU properties and strength deficits inATR patients. Methods: Elevenmale subjects who had undergone surgical repair of complete unilateral ATR were examined 4.6 ± 2.0 (mean ± SD) yr after rupture. Gastrocnemius medialis (GM) tendon stiffness, morphology, and muscle architecture were determined using ultrasonography. The force–length relation of the plantar flexor muscles was assessed at five ankle joint angles. In addition, simulations (OpenSim) of the GM MTU force–length properties were performed with various iterations of MTU properties found between the unaffected and the affected side. Results: The affected side of the patients displayed a longer, larger, and stiffer GM tendon (13% ± 10%, 105% ± 28%, and 54% ± 24%, respectively) compared with the unaffected side. The GM muscle fascicles of the affected side were shorter (32% ± 12%) and with greater pennation angles (31% ± 26%). A mean deficit in plantarflexion moment of 31% ± 10% was measured. Simulations indicate that pairing an intact muscle with a longer tendon shifts the optimal angular range of peak force outside physiological angular ranges, whereas the shorter muscle fascicles and tendon stiffening seen in the affected side decrease this shift, albeit incompletely. Conclusions: These results suggest that the substantial changes in MTU properties found in ATR patients may partly result from compensatory remodeling, although this process appears insufficient to fully restore muscle function.
Background and Objective
Effective leg extension training at a leg press requires high forces, which need to be controlled to avoid training-induced damage. In order to avoid high external knee adduction moments, which are one reason for unphysiological loadings on knee joint structures, both training movements and the whole reaction force vector need to be observed. In this study, the applicability of lateral and medial changes in foot orientation and position as possible manipulated variables to control external knee adduction moments is investigated. As secondary parameters both the medio-lateral position of the center of pressure and the frontal-plane orientation of the reaction force vector are analyzed.
Methods
Knee adduction moments are estimated using a dynamic model of the musculoskeletal system together with the measured reaction force vector and the motion of the subject by solving the inverse kinematic and dynamic problem. Six different foot conditions with varying positions and orientations of the foot in a static leg press are evaluated and compared to a neutral foot position.
Results
Both lateral and medial wedges under the foot and medial and lateral shifts of the foot can influence external knee adduction moments in the presented study with six healthy subjects. Different effects are observed with the varying conditions: the pose of the leg is changed and the direction and center of pressure of the reaction force vector is influenced. Each effect results in a different direction or center of pressure of the reaction force vector.
Conclusions
The results allow the conclusion that foot position and orientation can be used as manipulated variables in a control loop to actively control knee adduction moments in leg extension training.
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether sprint performance is related to lower leg musculoskeletal geometry within a homogeneous group of highly trained 100-m sprinters. Using a cluster analysis, eighteen male sprinters were divided into two groups based on their personal best (fast: N = 11, 10.30 ± 0.07 s; slow: N = 7, 10.70 ± 0.08 s). Calf muscular fascicle arrangement and Achilles tendon moment arms (calculated by the gradient of tendon excursion versus ankle joint angle) were analyzed for each athlete using ultrasonography. Achilles tendon moment arm, foot and ankle skeletal geometry, fascicle arrangement as well as the ratio of fascicle length to Achilles tendon moment arm showed no significant (p > 0.05) correlation with sprint performance, nor were there any differences in the analyzed musculoskeletal parameters between the fast and slow sprinter group. Our findings provide evidence that differences in sprint ability in world-class athletes are not a result of differences in the geometrical design of the lower leg even when considering both skeletal and muscular components.
To better understand what kinds of sports and exercise could be beneficial for the intervertebral disc (IVD), we performed a review to synthesise the literature on IVD adaptation with loading and exercise. The state of the literature did not permit a systematic review; therefore, we performed a narrative review. The majority of the available data come from cell or whole-disc loading models and animal exercise models. However, some studies have examined the impact of specific sports on IVD degeneration in humans and acute exercise on disc size. Based on the data available in the literature, loading types that are likely beneficial to the IVD are dynamic, axial, at slow to moderate movement speeds, and of a magnitude experienced in walking and jogging. Static loading, torsional loading, flexion with compression, rapid loading, high-impact loading and explosive tasks are likely detrimental for the IVD. Reduced physical activity and disuse appear to be detrimental for the IVD. We also consider the impact of genetics and the likelihood of a ‘critical period’ for the effect of exercise in IVD development. The current review summarises the literature to increase awareness amongst exercise, rehabilitation and ergonomic professionals regarding IVD health and provides recommendations on future directions in research.
Can vascular function be assessed by the interpretation of retinal vascular diameter changes?
(2011)
Purpose: It was demonstrated previously that retinal pulse wave velocity (rPWV) as a measure of retinal arterial stiffness is increased in aged anamnestically healthy volunteers compared with young healthy subjects. Using novel methodology of rPWV assessment this finding was confirmed and investigated whether it might relate to the increased blood pressure usually accompanying the aging process, rather than to the aging itself.
Methods: A total of 12 young 25.5-year-old (24.0–28.8) [median(1st quartile–3rd quartile)] and 12 senior 68.5-year-old (63.8–71.8) anamnestically healthy volunteers; and 12 senior 63.0-year-old (60.8–65.0) validated healthy volunteers and 12 young 33.0-year-old (29.5–35.0) hypertensive patients were examined. Time-dependent alterations of vessel diameter were assessed by the Dynamic Vessel Analyzer in a retinal artery of each subject. The data were filtered and processed using mathematical signal analysis and rPWVs were calculated.
Results: rPWV amounted to 1200 (990-1470) RU (relative units)/s in the hypertensive group and to 1040 (700-2230) RU/s in anamnestically healthy seniors. These differed significantly from rPWVs in young healthy group (410 [280–500] RU/s) and in validated healthy seniors (400 [320–510] RU/s). rPWV associated with age and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the pooled cohort excluded validated healthy seniors. In a regression model these associations remain when alternately adjusted for MAP and age. When including validated healthy seniors in the pooled cohort only association with MAP remains.
Conclusions: Both aging (with not excluded cardiovascular risk factors) and mild hypertension are associated with elevated rPWV. rPWV increases to a similar extent both in young mildly hypertensive subjects and in aged anamnestically healthy persons. Healthy aging is not associated with increased rPWV.
Purpose: Image analysis by the retinal vessel analyzer (RVA) observes retinal vessels in their dynamic state online noninvasively along a chosen vessel segment. It has been found that high-frequency diameter changes in the retinal artery blood column along the vessel increase significantly in anamnestically healthy volunteers with increasing age and in patients with glaucoma during vascular dilation. This study was undertaken to investigate whether longitudinal sections of the retinal artery blood column are altered in systemic hypertension.
Methods: Retinal arteries of 15 untreated patients with essential arterial hypertension (age, 50.9 ± 11.9 years) and of 15 age-matched anamnestically healthy volunteers were examined by RVA. After baseline assessment, a monochromatic luminance flicker (530–600 nm; 12.5 Hz; 20 s) was applied to evoke retinal vasodilation. Differences in amplitude and frequency of spatial artery blood column diameter change along segments (longitudinal arterial profiles) of 1 mm in length were measured and analyzed using Fourier transformation.
Results: In the control group, average reduced power spectra (ARPS) of longitudinal arterial profiles did not differ when arteries changed from constriction to dilation. In the systemic hypertension group, ARPS during constriction, baseline, and restoration were identical and differed from ARPS during dilation (P < 0.05). Longitudinal arterial profiles in both groups showed significant dissimilitude at baseline and restoration (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: The retinal artery blood column demonstrates microstructural alterations in systemic hypertension and is less irregular along the vessel axis during vessel dilation. These microstructural changes may be an indication of alterations in vessel wall rigidity, vascular endothelial function, and smooth muscle cells in this disease, leading to impaired perfusion and regulation.
Patients after coarctation repair still have an increased risk of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events. This has been explained by the persisting hypertension and alterations in the peripheral vessels. However, involvement of the central vessels such as the retinal arteries is virtually unknown. A total of 34 patients after coarctation repair (22 men and 12 women; 23 to 58 years old, age range 0 to 32 years at surgical repair) and 34 nonhypertensive controls underwent structural and functional retinal vessel analysis. Using structural analysis, the vessel diameters were measured. Using functional analysis, the endothelium-dependent vessel dilation in response to flicker light stimulation was assessed. In the patients after coarctation repair, the retinal arteriolar diameter was significantly reduced compared to that of the controls (median 182 μm, first to third quartile 171 to 197; vs 197 μm, first to third quartile 193 to 206; p <0.001). These findings were independent of the peripheral blood pressure and age at intervention. No differences were found for venules. The functional analysis findings were not different between the patients and controls (maximum dilation 3.5%, first to third quartile 2.1% to 4.5% vs 3.6%, first to third quartile 2.2% to 4.3%; p = 0.81), indicating preserved autoregulative mechanisms. In conclusion, the retinal artery diameter is reduced in patients after coarctation repair, independent of their current blood pressure level and age at intervention. As a structural marker of chronic vessel damage associated with past, current, or future hypertension, retinal arteriolar narrowing has been linked to stroke incidence. These results indicate an involvement of cerebral microcirculation in aortic coarctation, despite timely repair, and might contribute to explain the increased rate of cerebrovascular events in such patients.
Air-pulse corneal applanation signal curve parameters for the characterisation of keratoconus
(2011)
The present article describes a standard instrument for the continuous online determination of retinal vessel diameters, the commercially available retinal vessel analyzer. This report is intended to provide informed guidelines for measuring ocular blood flow with this system. The report describes the principles underlying the method and the instruments currently available, and discusses clinical protocol and the specific parameters measured by the system. Unresolved questions and the possible limitations of the technique are also discussed.