Cirla Alessandro, Drigo Michele, Ballerini Lucia, Trucco Emanuele, Barsotti Giovanni
Department of Ophthalmology, San Marco Veterinary Clinic and Laboratory, Veggiano, Italy.
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Vet Ophthalmol. 2019 Nov;22(6):819-827. doi: 10.1111/vop.12657. Epub 2019 Feb 22.
To validate a retinal imaging software named VAMPIRE (Vascular Assay and Measurement Platform for Images of the Retina) in feline patients and test the clinical utility in hypertensive cats.
One hundred and five healthy cats were enrolled. They represented the normal dataset used in the validation (group 1). Forty-three hypertensive cats with no noticeable retinal abnormalities were enrolled for the clinical validity of the software (group 2).
Eleven points (4 veins, 4 arteries, and 3 arterial bifurcations) were measured for each digital image. Repeatability and reproducibility of measurements were assessed using two independent operators. Data were statistically analyzed by the Mann-Whiney and Tukey box plot. Significance was considered when P < 0.05.
Two hundred and ten retinal images were analyzed for a total of 2310 measurements. Total mean was 9.1 and 6.1 pixels for veins and arteries, respectively. First, second, and third arteriolar bifurcations angles were 73.6°, 76.9°, and 85.4°, respectively. A comparison between groups 1 and 2 showed a statistically significant reduction in arteriolar diameter (mean 3.3 pixels) and branch angle (55°, 47.8° and 59.9°) associated with increasing vein diameter (mean 24.15 pixels).
Current image analysis techniques used in human medicine were investigated in terms of extending their use to veterinary medicine. The VAMPIRE algorithm proved useful for an objective diagnosis of retinal vasculature changes secondary to systemic hypertension in cats, and could be an additional diagnostic test for feline systemic hypertension.
在猫科动物患者中验证一款名为VAMPIRE（视网膜图像血管分析与测量平台）的视网膜成像软件，并测试其在高血压猫中的临床应用价值。
纳入105只健康猫。它们构成了验证中使用的正常数据集（第1组）。纳入43只无明显视网膜异常的高血压猫以评估该软件的临床有效性（第2组）。
对每张数字图像测量11个点（4条静脉、4条动脉和3个动脉分支点）。由两名独立操作人员评估测量的重复性和再现性。数据采用曼-惠特尼和图基箱线图进行统计学分析。P < 0.05时认为具有显著性。
共分析210张视网膜图像，总计2310次测量。静脉和动脉的总平均值分别为9.1像素和6.1像素。第一、第二和第三小动脉分支角度分别为73.6°、76.9°和85.4°。第1组和第2组之间的比较显示，随着静脉直径增加（平均24.15像素），小动脉直径（平均3.3像素）和分支角度（55°、47.8°和59.9°）在统计学上显著减小。
研究了当前人类医学中使用的图像分析技术扩展至兽医学的可能性。VAMPIRE算法被证明有助于客观诊断猫因全身性高血压继发的视网膜血管变化，可作为猫全身性高血压的一项辅助诊断测试。
