ObjectiveTo observe the effect of interventional thrombolytic therapy for central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) with ipsilateral internal carotid artery occlusion via supratrochlear artery retrogradely or external carotid artery anterogradely.MethodsNine CRAO patients (9 eyes) were enrolled in this study, including 5 males and 4 females. The mean age was (45.2±18.1) years. The mean onset duration was 24 hours. There were 4 eyes with vision of no light perception, 3 eyes with light perception and 2 eyes with hand movement. Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) examination showed that the retinal artery was filled with delayed fluorescence. The peak of fluorescence was seen in the anterior part of the artery, and some of the eyes showed retrograde filling. The arm-retinal circulation time (A-Rct) was ≥35 s in 4 eyes, ≥35 s - ＜25 s in 5 eyes. The filling time of retinal artery and its branches (FT) was ≥15 s in 2 eyes, ≥12 s - ＜15 s in 3 eyes, ≥9 s - ＜12 s in 4 eyes. All the patients received the treatment of interventional thrombolytic therapy via supratrochlear artery retrogradely (8 eyes) or external carotid artery anterogradely (1 eye) according to the indications and contraindications of thrombolytic therapy in acute cerebral infraction patients. Urokinase (0.4 million U in total) was intermittently injected into the arteries. After artery thrombolysis, the changes of digital subtraction angiography (DSA), filling time of retinal artery and its branches on FFA within 24 hours and the visual acuity were observed. According to the A-Rct and FT on FFA, the therapeutic effects on retinal circulation were defined as effective markedly (A-Rct≤15 s, FT≤2 s) , effective (A-Rct was improved but in the range of 16 - 20 s, FT was in 3 - 8 s) and no effect (A-Rct was improved but ≥21 s, FT≥9 s). The related local or systemic complications were recorded.ResultsAfter the injection of urokinase into the catheter, the ophthalmic artery and its branches were increased in 6 eyes (66.7%), and the development of the eye ring was significantly more than that of the eyes before thrombolysis. The circulation time in ophthalmic artery was speeded up for 2 s before thrombolysis in 3 eyes, 3 s in 3 eyes, and 4 s in 2 eyes. Within 24 hours after thrombolysis treatment, the A-Rct was significantly decreased than that of before interventional therapy. The retinal circulation was effective markedly in 4 eyes (44.4%), effective in 4 eyes (44.4%) and no effect in 1 eyes (11.2%) . The vision was improved 3 lines in 4 eyes (44.4%), 2 lines in 3 eyes (33.3%), 1 line in 1 eye (11.2%) and no change in 1 eye (11.2%). There were no abnormal eye movements, vitreous hemorrhage and incision hematoma, intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral embolism, and other local and systemic adverse effectives during the follow-up.ConclusionsThe interventional thrombolytic therapy via supratrochlear artery retrogradely or external carotid artery anterogradely for CRAO with the ipsilateral internal carotid artery occlusion can improve retinal circulation and vision. There are no related local or systemic complications.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical features of retinal arterial occlusion (RAO) in youth.MethodsThis is a retrospective case review. Nine patients (9 eyes) with RAO were enrolled in this study. There were 6 males (6 eyes) and 3 females (3 eyes). The average age was (14.22±3.93) years. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), indirect ophthalmoscopy, fundus color photography and fundus fluorescein angiography were performed. All patients underwent systemic evaluation including blood routine, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood lipids, vasculitis screening, homocysteine level, antiphospholipid antibody, blood coagulation, neck vascular ultrasound, and cardiac color ultrasound and electrocardiogram examination. All patients received oxygen therapy, blood medications and symptomatic treatment. Meanwhile, the patients with autoimmune diseases were received systemic glucocorticoid therapy. The follow-up was ranged from 6 to 12 months. The visual acuity and fundus change before and after treatment were compared.Resultsamong 9 patients, one patient had systemic lupus erythematosus, one patient had congenital heart disease, one patient had hypergammaglobulinemia, and carotid artery color ultrasonography showed that the internal carotid artery vessels faltered in 2 cases. The BCVA was 0.01 - 0.12. Among 9 eyes, there were 5 eyes (55.6%) with retinal branch artery occlusion (BRAO), 2 eyes (22.2%) with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), 2 eyes (22.2%) with ciliary retinal artery occlusion (CLAO). CRAO eyes showed positive RAPD (relative afferent pupillary defect), fine retinal artery and the corresponding vein, pale white retinal edema in posterior area and macular cherry-red spot. BRAO eyes manifested as inferior temporal artery occlusion and pale white retinal edema around them. CLAO eyes showed temporal ligulate grey-white retinal edema. At the last follow-up, BCVA improved and retinal vessels returned to normal in 7 eyes (77.8%); BCVA unchanged and no improvement in fundus in 2 eyes (22.2%).ConclusionAdolescent RAO is mostly partial occlusion, the prognosis is generally good after early active treatment.
Objective To observe the clinical effect of intravenous thrombolytic therapy for central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) with poor effect after the treatment of arterial thrombolytic therapy. Methods Twenty-four CRAO patients (24 eyes) with poor effect after the treatment of arterial thrombolytic therapy were enrolled in this study. There were 11 males and 13 females. The age was ranged from 35 to 80 years, with the mean age of (56.7±15.6) years. There were 11 right eyes and 13 left eyes. The visual acuity was tested by standard visual acuity chart. The arm-retinal circulation time (A-Rct) and the filling time of retinal artery and its branches (FT) were detected by fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA). The visual acuity was ranged from light sensation to 0.5, with the average of 0.04±0.012. The A-Rct was ranged from 18.0 s to 35.0 s, with the mean of (29.7±5.8) s. The FT was ranged from 4.0 s to 16.0 s, with the mean of (12.9±2.3) s. All patients were treated with urokinase intravenous thrombolytic therapy. The dosage of urokinase was 3000 U/kg, 2 times/d, adding 250 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride intravenous drip, 2 times between 8 - 10 h, and continuous treatment of FFA after 5 days. Comparative analysis was performed on the visual acuity of the patients before and after treatment, and the changes of A-Rct and FT. Results After intravenous thrombolytic therapy, the A-Rct was ranged from 16.0 s to 34.0 s, with the mean of (22.4±5.5) s. Among 24 eyes, the A-Rct was 27.0 - 34.0 s in 4 eyes (16.67%), 18.0 - 26.0 s in 11 eyes (45.83%); 16.0 - 17.0 s in 9 eyes (37.50%). The FT was ranged from 2.4 s to 16.0 s, with the mean of (7.4±2.6) s. Compared with before intravenous thrombolytic therapy, the A-Rct was shortened by 7.3 s and the FT was shortened by 5.5 s with the significant differences (χ2=24.6, 24.9; P＜0.01). After intravenous thrombolytic therapy, the visual acuity was ranged from light sensation to 0.6, with the average of 0.08±0.011. There were 1 eye with vision of light perception (4.17%), 8 eyes with hand movement/20 cm (33.33%), 11 eyes with 0.02 - 0.05 (45.83%), 2 eyes with 0.1 - 0.2 (8.33%), 1 eye with 0.5 (4.17%) and 1 eye with 0.6 (4.17%). The visual acuity was improved in 19 eyes (79.17%). The difference of visual acuity before and after intravenous thrombolytic therapy was significant (χ2=7.99, P＜0.05). There was no local and systemic adverse effects during and after treatment. Conclusion Intravenous thrombolytic therapy for CRAO with poor effect after the treatment of arterial thrombolytic therapy can further improve the circulation of retinal artery and visual acuity.
Embolus occlusion in the retinal artery is the most common cause of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), while hypertension is the most common risk factor of CRAO, and ipsilateral carotid artery stenosis is the most significant risk factor in CRAO. Current clinical treatments include conservative treatments such as dilation of blood vessels and lowering the intraocular pressure (IOP), as well as aggressive treatments like intravenous thrombolysis and Nd:YAG laser. Both thrombolysis and Nd:YAG laser treatment can improve the visual acuity of CRAO patients, but because of its lack of randomized controlled trials, further clinical studies are needed to determine their efficacy and safety. CRAO patients may have vascular embolism at other sites in the body, and may cause different degrees of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. The probability of secondary ocular neovascularization following the occurrence of these events is 2.5% to 31.6%. In addition to eye care, clinicians should also focus more on preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, and focus on the screening and active treatment of systemic risk factors to reduce the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.
Objective To investigate the relationship between age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (aCCI) and ischemic stroke in patients with ophthalmic artery occlusion (OAO) or retinal artery occlusion (RAO). MethodsA single center retrospective cohort study. Seventy-four patients with OAO or RAO diagnosed by ophthalmology examination in Shenzhen Second People's Hospital from June 2004 to December 2020 were included in the study. The baseline information of patients were collected and aCCI was used to score the patients’ comorbidity. The outcome was ischemic stroke. The median duration of follow-up was 1 796.5 days. According to the maximum likelihood ratio of the two-piecewise COX regression model and the recursive algorithm, the aCCI inflection point value was determined to be 6, and the patients were divided into low aCCI group (＜6 points) and high aCCI group (≥6 points). A Cox regression model was used to quantify the association between baseline aCCI and ischemic stroke. ResultsAmong the 74 patients, 53 were males and 21 were females, with the mean age of (55.22±14.18) (19-84) years. There were 9 patients of OAO and 65 patients of RAO. The aCCI value ranges from 1 to 10 points, with a median of 3 points. There were 63 patients (85.14%, 63/74) in the low aCCI group and 11 patients (14.86%, 11/74) in the high aCCI group. Since 2 patients could not determine the time from baseline to the occurrence of outcome events, 72 patients were included for Cox regression analysis. The results showed that 16 patients (22.22%, 16/72) had ischemic stroke in the future. The baseline aCCI in the low aCCI group was significantly associated with ischemic stroke [hazard ratio (HR)=1.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21-2.56, P=0.003], and for every 1 point increase in baseline aCCI, the risk of future ischemic stroke increased by 76% on average. The baseline aCCI in the high aCCI group had no significant correlation with the ischemic stroke (HR=0.66, 95%CI 0.33-1.33, P=0.247). ConclusionsaCCI score is an important prognostic information for patients with OAO or RAO. A higher baseline aCCI score predicts a higher risk of ischemic stroke, and the association has a saturation effect.
ObjectiveTo analyze the causal relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and retinal vascular obstruction by mendelian randomization (MR). MethodsA two-sample MR analysis utilizing summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in European populations was conducted. The GWAS data for SARS-CoV-2 infection comprised cases of common infection (2 597 856), hospitalized infection (2 095 324), and severe infection (1 086 211). Data on retinal vascular obstruction were obtained from the FinnGen database, which included 203 269 cases of retinal artery obstruction and 182 945 cases of retinal vein obstruction (RVO). Inverse variance weighting (IVW), random effects models, weighted median (WM), MR-Egger regression, simple models, and weighted models were used to analyze the bidirectional causal relationship between different SARS-CoV-2 infection phenotypes and retinal obstruction. The Q statistic was used to assess heterogeneity among single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), while MR-Presso was utilized to detect SNP outliers, and MR-Egger intercept tests were performed to evaluate horizontal pleiotropy. ResultsThe MR analysis, using IVW, random effects models, MR-Egger, WM, and weighted models, indicated no significant association between common SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalized infection, severe infection, and retinal vascular obstruction (P＞0.05). Additionally, retinal vascular obstruction did not show a significant association with the various SARS-CoV-2 infection phenotypes (P＞0.05). In the simple model, a significant association was found between severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and RVO (P＜0.05), as well as between RVO and common SARS-CoV-2 infection (P＜0.05). No heterogeneity was observed in the IVW and MR-Egger analyses (P＞0.05). The MR-Egger test provided no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy (P＞0.05), and MR-Presso detected no outlier SNP. ConclusionThe findings of this study do not support a causal relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the occurrence of retinal vascular obstruction.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effect of the ophthalmic artery branch retrograde interventional therapy for central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). MethodsFourteen CRAO patients (14 eyes) were enrolled in this study, including 8 males and 6 females. The age was ranged from 35 to 80 years old,with an average of (56.7±20.3) years. The duration of occurrence after the onset was 9 to 72 hours, with a mean of 22 hours. There were 4 eyes with vision of no light perception, 5 eyes with light perception and 5 eyes with hand movement. The intraocular pressure was ranged from 14-20 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), with an average of 19 mmHg. All the patients received the treatment of ophthalmic artery branch retrograde interventional therapy according to the indications and contraindications of thrombolytic therapy in acute cerebral infraction patients. Micro catheters was inserted into the exposed arteries from a skin incision below the eyebrow under guidance of digital subtraction angiography (DSA), urokinase (total 0.4 million U) and papaverine 30 mg were injected into the arteries. After artery thrombolysis, the changes of DSA, filling time of retinal artery and its branches on fluorescence fundus angiography (FFA) within 48 hours and the visual acuity were observed. According to the visual acuity of post-treatment and pre-treatment, the therapeutic effects on vision were defined as effective markedly (improving 3 lines or more), effective (improving 2 lines) and no effect (change within 1 line or a decline). According to the arm-retinal circulation time (A-Rct) and filling time of retinal artery and its branches (FT) on fluorescence fundus angiography (FFA), the therapeutic effects on retinal circulation were defined as effective markedly (A-Rct 15 s, FT 2 s), effective (A-Rct was improved but in the range of 16-20 s, FT was in 3-8 s) and no effect (A-Rct was improved but 21 s, FT 9 s). The follow up ranged from 5 to 21days, with a mean of 6 days. The related local or systemic complications were recorded. ResultsOphthalmic arterial catheterization under DSA was successful in all 14 eyes. After intermittent injection of drugs, ophthalmic artery and internal carotid artery displayed good images in DSA. The results showed enlargement of ophthalmic artery and its branches after injection of thrombolytic drugs by micro catheters. The circulation time in ophthalmic artery is speed up for 2 s before thrombolysis in 5 eyes, 3 s in 6 eyes, and 4 s in 3 eyes. Within 48 hours after thrombolysis treatment, the filling time of retinal artery and its branches on FFA was significantly increased than that of before interventional therapy. The retinal circulation was effective markedly in 8 eyes (57.1%), effective in 4 eyes (28.6%) and no effect in 2 eyes (14.3%). The vision changes showed effective markedly in 6 eyes (42.9%), effective in 6 eyes (42.9%), no effect in 2 eyes (14.2%). There was no abnormal eye movements, vitreous hemorrhage and incision hematoma, intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral embolism, and other local and systemic adverse effectives during the follow-up. ConclusionsThe ophthalmic artery branch retrograde interventional therapy in the treatment for CRAO can improve retinal circulation and vision. And there is no related local or systemic complications.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics of vascular neuro-ophthalmology in patients with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). MethodsA single-center, prospective clinical study. From January 2018 to December 2020, 49 eyes of 49 CRAO patients of The Neuro-ophthalmology Department of Xi'an First Hospital were included in the study. Data on patient demographic characteristics, vascular risk factors, disease characteristics, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) imaging characteristics of internal carotid arteries, treatment, treatment-related adverse events, and 1-month follow-up vascular events were collected. All patiens were examined by visual acuity, head CT and or magnetic resonance imaging. At the same time, 35 cases of internal carotid artery vascular DSA were examined; 14 cases of head and neck CT angiography were examined. The anatomical variation of the extracranial segment of the internal carotid artery was divided into tortuous, tortuous, and coiled; the aortic arch was divided into type Ⅰ, type Ⅱ, type Ⅲ, and bovine type. Intravenous thrombolysis, arterial thrombolysis, conservative treatment were performed. The follow-up time was 1 month after treatment. Functional vision was defined as vision ≥20/100. Vascular events were strokes, cardiovascular events, deaths and neovascular glaucoma during follow-up. ResultsAmong 49 eyes of 49 cases, 40 eyes were male (81.6%, 40/49), and 9 eyes were female (18.4%, 9/49); the average age was 60.7±12.9 years. There were 33, 17, and 16 cases with hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cerebrovascular disease, respectively; 27 and 34 cases had a history of smoking and tooth loss, respectively. Taking antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, antiplatelet aggregation/anticoagulation, and hypolipidemic drugs were 15, 5, 8, and 5 patients, respectively. There were 11 cases of transient amaurosis before the onset, and 17 cases of CRAO after waking up. There were 33 cases (67.3%, 33/49) with infarction of the affected side of the brain tissue. DSA was performed in 35 cases, and the stenosis rate of the internal carotid artery on the affected side was 70%-99% and 100% were 3 (8.6%, 3/35) and 4 (11.4%, 4/35) cases, respectively. The ophthalmic artery on the affected side originated from the external carotid artery in 5 cases (14.3%, 5/35). There were 17 (54.8%, 17/31) and 2 (6.5%, 2/31) cases of tortuousity and kinking in the extracranial segment of the internal carotid artery. There were 15 (42.9%, 15/35), 6 (17.1%, 6/35), and 2 (5.7%, 2/35) cases of aortic arch type Ⅱ, type Ⅲ, and bovine type, respectively. Intravenous thrombolysis and arterial thrombolysis were performed in 13 and 29 cases, respectively. Complications occurred in 2 cases during treatment; 3 cases of symptoms fluctuated after treatment, and 10 cases of asymptomatic new infarcts occurred in imaging studies. Forty-eight cases were treated with antiplatelet aggregation/anticoagulation and hypolipidemic treatment. At discharge and 1 month after treatment, the recovery of functional vision was 7 and 17 cases, respectively. One month after treatment, 1 case died because myocardial infarction; 2 cases of neovascular glaucoma occurred. ConclusionThe proportion of CRAO patients with vascular risk factors and internal carotid artery abnormalities on the affected side is relatively high; the prognosis is relatively good after intravenous thrombolysis and/or arterial thrombolysis and secondary stroke prevention.
Objective To investage the relationship among the visual loss, the disease course, and retinal circulation time in patients with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO)． Method The data about the central vision, disease course, and results of fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) of 99 patients (99 eyes) with CRAO were statistically analyzed. Results Between 2 days and 21 days after the occurrence of CRAO, the disease course didnrsquo;t relate to the central visual loss (Pgt;0.05). In the retinal circulation, a correlation was found between the time of fluorescein perfusion and the central visual loss (Plt;0.05) but not between the time of arm-retina circulation and the central visual loss (Pgt;0.05). Conclusion In the duration of retinal circulation, the time of fluorescein perfusion in retinal artery relates to the central visual loss; the longer the duration is, the worse the vision is. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2007, 23: 177-179)
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effect of super-selective ophthalmic artery or selective carotid artery thrombolytic therapy for central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). MethodsTwelve CRAO patients (12 eyes) were enrolled in this study. The patients included 7 males and 5 females. The age was ranged from 19 to 68 years old, with an average of (50.0±3.5) years. The disease duration was from 8 to 72 hours, with a mean of 18 hours. All the patients were received the treatment of super-selective ophthalmic artery or selective carotid artery thrombolysis with urokinase (total 0.20-0.4 million U) and injection of papaverine 30 mg. Five patients received the treatment of super-selective ophthalmic artery thrombolytic therapy, 7 patients received the treatment of selective carotid artery thrombolytic therapy (4 patients because of the financial issues, 3 patients because of thin ophthalmic artery). According to the visual acuity of post-treatment and pre-treatment, the therapeutic effects on vision were defined as effective markedly (improving three lines or more), effective (improving two lines) and no effect (no change or a decline). According to the arm-retinal circulation time (A-Rct) and filling time of retinal artery and its branches (FT) on fluorescence fundus angiography (FFA), the therapeutic effects on retinal circulation were defined as effective markedly (A-Rct 15 s, FT 2 s), effective (A-Rct was improved but in the range of 16-20 s, FT was in 3-8 s) and no effect (A-Rct was improved but 21 s, FT 9 s). ResultsThe vision changes showed effective markedly in 5 eyes (41.7%), effective in 5 eyes (41.7%), no effect in 2 eyes (16.6%). The total therapeutic efficiency on vision was 83.4%. The retinal circulation was improved in all eyes after treatment, including effective markedly in 8 eyes (67.0%), effective in 4 eyes (33.0%). The total therapeutic efficiency on retinal circulation was 100.0%. No complications occurred in these 12 patients during the treatment or follow-up, such as puncture site hematoma, intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral embolism, eye movement abnormalities, retinal and vitreous hemorrhage. ConclusionSuper-selective ophthalmic artery and selective carotid artery thrombolytic therapy were effective in the treatment of CRAO.