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VAMPIRE ® fundus image analysis algorithms: Validation and diagnostic relevance in hypertensive cats
Author(s) -
Cirla Alessandro,
Drigo Michele,
Ballerini Lucia,
Trucco Emanuele,
Barsotti Giovanni
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
veterinary ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.594
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1463-5224
pISSN - 1463-5216
DOI - 10.1111/vop.12657
Subject(s) - cats , medicine , clinical significance , retinal , fundus (uterus) , digital image analysis , fundus camera , retina , reproducibility , repeatability , algorithm , ophthalmology , pathology , radiology , ophthalmoscopy , mathematics , biology , computer science , computer vision , statistics , neuroscience
Objectives 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. Animals studied 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). Procedures 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. Results 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). Conclusions 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.