Branch retinal artery occlusion associated with directional coronary atherectomy after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

[Central retinal artery occlusion following coronary angiography: a case report]

We report the case of a 74-year-old man referred in ophthalmology for acute central visual loss in his right eye 2 hours after a coronary angiography. Visual acuity was limited to light perception RE and 20/20 LE. Fundus examination revealed a central retinal artery occlusion with retinal edema and a cherry-red spot in the right eye. Fluorescein angiography confirmed that the central retinal artery was not filling. Despite selective ophthalmic artery fibrinolysis, visual acuity remained very low. Embolic occlusion is the most probable etiology in this complication. Central retinal artery occlusion is a serious but very rare complication of coronary angiography.

Branch retinal artery occlusion after diagnostic cardiac catheterization

A case of right branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) due to cholesterol-containing embolus following transfemoral cardiac catheterization is reported. It is extremely rare, however, cardiologists should be alert to any thromboembolic complications during and following cardiac catheterization and choose the suitable approach (either upper extremity or transfemoral).