Early Cardiac Markers In Young Patients With Keratoconus: Can Cornea Be The Mirror Of The Heart

Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive corneal disorder linked to collagen abnormalities, raising the question of whether systemic cardiovascular changes exist in KC patients. This study investigates early cardiac alterations in young individuals with and without KC to identify potential markers for early cardiovascular risk assessment.

This prospective observational study was conducted at Istanbul Medeniyet University, Departments of Ophthalmology and Cardiology, involving young individuals without known cardiac disease.

A total of 30 control subjects and 46 KC patients were included. Subjects underwent detailed echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and vascular assessments, including left and right ventricular strain (LVGLS, RVGLS), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), augmentation index, and pulse wave velocity (PWV). Key biochemical and structural markers were analyzed.

The mean age of the control group was 42.9 ± 7.0 years, while the KC group had a mean age of 29.5 ± 12.0 years. Significant differences were observed in cardiac strain parameters (LVGLS: p = 0.0004, RVFAC: p = 0.021), TAPSE (p = 0.002), and augmentation index (p = 0.007), suggesting subclinical cardiac remodeling. No significant differences were found in BMI, cholesterol levels, or blood pressure.

KC patients exhibit early alterations in cardiac function and vascular dynamics, despite the absence of diagnosed heart disease. These findings highlight the need for proactive cardiac evaluation in KC patients to detect early cardiovascular changes. Further studies are required to assess long-term clinical implications and potential early intervention strategies.