Lauren Ciulla

Dr. Lauren Ciulla


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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31 January 2024 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RKRebecca L. Kellner
Rebecca L. Kellner
AHAlon Harris
Alon Harris
LCLauren Ciulla
Lauren Ciulla
Giovanna GuidoboniGiovanna Guidoboni
Giovanna Guidoboni
AVAlice Verticchio Vercellin
Alice Verticchio Vercellin
Brent SieskyBrent Siesky
Brent Siesky
Alterations in microvasculature represent some of the earliest pathological processes across a wide variety of human diseases. In many organs, however, inaccessibility and difficulty in directly imaging tissues prevent the assessment of microvascular changes, thereby significantly limiting their translation into improved patient care. The eye provides a unique solution by allowing for the non-invasive and direct visualization and quantification of many aspects of the human microvasculature, including biomarkers for structure, function, hemodynamics, and metabolism. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) studies have specifically identified reduced capillary densities at the level of the retina in several eye diseases including glaucoma. This narrative review examines the published data related to OCTA-assessed microvasculature biomarkers and major systemic cardiovascular disease. While loss of capillaries is being established in various ocular disease, pilot data suggest that changes in the retinal microvasculature, especially within the macula, may also reflect small vessel damage occurring in other organs resulting from cardiovascular disease. Current evidence suggests retinal microvascular biomarkers as potential indicators of major systemic cardiovascular diseases, including systemic arterial hypertension, atherosclerotic disease, and congestive heart failure.