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Taroza S, Jatužis D, Matijošaitis V, Raugelė S, Valaikienė J. Central retinal artery occlusion or retinal stroke: a neurosonologist's perspective. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1397751. [PMID: 38915799 PMCID: PMC11194405 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1397751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) or retinal stroke, which is usually a vision-threatening condition, timely diagnosis is imperative to improve the chances of retinal preservation and to establish adequate secondary prevention measures. Even though retinal strokes have been traditionally assigned to the field of ophthalmology, while considering reperfusion therapy as the only way to avoid permanent vision loss, we suggest prompt evaluation of CRAO causes (primarily related to cardiovascular risk factors) performed by a well-organized interdisciplinary team (ophthalmologist and neurologist) in a neurovascular center with stroke expertise. Therefore, the most suitable adjunct method for rapidly diagnosing non-arteritic CRAO could be target transorbital ultrasound, performed by an experienced neurologist/neurosonologist in the stroke unit. Consequently, after an ophthalmological assessment, a final decision on thrombolytic therapy could be made. We accept that further research is obviously needed to determine whether transorbital ultrasound could replace ophthalmological investigation in the case of a suspected acute retinal stroke. We assert that retinal stroke requires interdisciplinary treatment in cooperation with neurologists and ophthalmologists, with an additive value for each to achieve the best results for the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saulius Taroza
- Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Palanga, Lithuania
- Klaipėda University Hospital, Klaipėda, Lithuania
| | - Dalius Jatužis
- Clinic of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vaidas Matijošaitis
- Department of Neurology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Saulius Raugelė
- Klaipėda University Hospital, Klaipėda, Lithuania
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Klaipėda University, Klaipėda, Lithuania
| | - Jurgita Valaikienė
- Clinic of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Alhayek N, Sobczak JM, Vanood A, O’Carroll CB, Demaerschalk BM, Chen J, Dumitrascu OM. Thrombolytic Therapy for Central Retinal Artery Occlusion in an Academic Multi-Site Stroke Centre. Neuroophthalmology 2024; 48:111-121. [PMID: 38487357 PMCID: PMC10936677 DOI: 10.1080/01658107.2023.2290536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a subtype of acute ischaemic stroke leading to severe visual loss. A recent American Heart Association scientific statement proposed time-windows for thrombolysis in CRAO similar to acute ischaemic cerebral strokes. We aimed to review our academic multi-site stroke centre experience with intravenous (IVT) and intra-arterial thrombolysis (IAT) in CRAO between 1997 and 2022. Demographic, clinical characteristics, thrombolysis timeline, concurrent therapies, complications, and 3-month follow-up visual acuity (VA) were collected. The thrombolysed cohort follow-up VA was compared with an age, gender and baseline VA matched cohort of CRAO patients that received conservative therapies. Thrombolytic therapy was administered to 3.55% (n = 20) of CRAO admissions; 13 IVT (mean age 68, 61.5% male, 12 alteplase and 1 tenecteplase, all embolic aetiology, 1 CRAO mimic) and 7 IAT (mean age 55, 85.7% male, 3 post-operative and 3 embolic). Additional conservative CRAO-targeting therapies was received by 60%. The median time from onset of visual loss to IVT was 158 minutes (range 67-260). Improvement by at least two Snellen lines was achieved by 25% with 12.5% improving to 20/100 or better. Intracranial haemorrhage post IVT occurred in 1/13 (7.6%). The median time from onset of visual loss to IAT was 335 minutes. Improvement by at least two Snellen lines was achieved by 42%. No difference in 3-month VA was noted between patients that received thrombolysis, either alone (n = 8) or combined with other therapies, and those that received conservative therapies. Our results suggest that the management of acute CRAO remains heterogeneous. The lack of obvious benefit of thrombolysis in our small series supports the need for randomizsd clinical trials comparing thrombolysis to placebo to guide hyperacute CRAO management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Alhayek
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Jacob M. Sobczak
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Aimen Vanood
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Cumara B. O’Carroll
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Bart M. Demaerschalk
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
- Center for Digital Health, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - John Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Oana M. Dumitrascu
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
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Dumitrascu OM, English S, Alhayek N, Pahl E, Nord C, Vanderhye V, O'Carroll CB, Demaerschalk BM. Telemedicine for Acute Monocular Visual Loss: A Retrospective Large Telestroke Network Experience. Telemed J E Health 2023; 29:1738-1743. [PMID: 36912816 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2022.0286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is an under-recognized stroke subtype that may benefit from hyperacute reperfusion therapies. We aimed to evaluate the ability of telestroke activations to provide CRAO diagnosis and thrombolysis. Methods: This retrospective observational study investigates all encounters conducted for acute visual loss between 2010 and 2021 in our multicentric Mayo Clinic Telestroke Network. Demographics, time from visual loss to telestroke evaluation, ocular examination, diagnostic, and therapeutic recommendations were collected for CRAO subjects. Results: Out of 9,511, 49 encounters (0.51%) were conducted for an acute ocular complaint. Five patients had possible CRAO, and 4 presented within 4.5 h from symptom onset (range 1.5-5 h). None received thrombolytic therapy. All telestroke physicians recommended ophthalmology consultation. Conclusion: Current telestroke assessment of acute visual loss is suboptimal and patients eligible for acute reperfusion therapies may not be offered treatment. Teleophthalmologic evaluations and advanced ophthalmic diagnostic tools should complement telestroke systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oana M Dumitrascu
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Stephen English
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Nour Alhayek
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Emily Pahl
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Charisse Nord
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Vanesa Vanderhye
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Cumara B O'Carroll
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Bart M Demaerschalk
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
- Center for Digital Health, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
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Shah R, Gilbert A, Melles R, Patel A, Do T, Wolek M, Vora RA. Central Retinal Artery Occlusion: Time to Presentation and Diagnosis. Ophthalmol Retina 2023:S2468-6530(23)00005-2. [PMID: 36639057 DOI: 10.1016/j.oret.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the presentation patterns of patients diagnosed with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) from 2011 to 2020. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study SUBJECTS: The present study was conducted in 484 patients presenting within 30 days of symptom onset with accurate documentation of time of symptom onset, time of presentation to the health care system, and time of presentation to an ophthalmologist. METHODS An independent chart review of patients with CRAO was conducted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Demographic information including age, sex, and race were collected. Presentation patterns such as time of first symptoms, time of first contact with the health care system, and time of evaluation by an ophthalmologist were analyzed. Additionally, information regarding the medical venue or specialty of initial patient contact was collected. RESULTS A total of 247 (51%) patients contacted the health care system within 4.5 hours of system onset, whereas 86 (17.8%) patients waited over 24 hours. Only 81 (32.8%) of the 247 patients who presented within 4.5 hours saw an ophthalmologist within that time frame, whereas 172 (35.5%) of the entire cohort of 484 did not present to an ophthalmologist within 24 hours of vision loss. There was significant variability with regards to medical specialty of initial patient contact, with 292 (60.3%) patients first presenting to an emergency department and 133 (27.5%) patients first presenting to an ophthalmologist. Black and Hispanic patients presented later than patients of White, Asian, or other racial backgrounds (40.4 ± 10.2 hours versus 23.0 ± 3.4 hours, P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Although no level 1 evidence-based treatment is currently available for CRAO, thrombolytic therapy may be promising. Even though over half of patients with CRAO within our institution connected with the health care system within a potential window for thrombolytic therapy, most did not receive a definitive ophthalmic diagnosis within that time frame. Public health educational campaigns and infrastructure optimization must speed up presentation times, decrease the time to ophthalmic diagnosis, and target vulnerable populations to offer and research timely administration of thrombolytic therapy. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S) The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronak Shah
- Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Aubrey Gilbert
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Vallejo, California
| | - Ronald Melles
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California
| | - Amar Patel
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California
| | - Timothy Do
- University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
| | - Michael Wolek
- University Hospitals at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Robin A Vora
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California.
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[Retinal arterial occlusions (RAV) : S2e guidelines of the German Society of Ophthalmology (DOG), the German Retina Society (RG) and the German Professional Association of Ophthalmologists (BVA). Version: 7 October 2022]. DIE OPHTHALMOLOGIE 2023; 120:15-29. [PMID: 36525048 DOI: 10.1007/s00347-022-01780-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Casagrande M, Steinhorst NA, Dippel SK, Kück F, Grohmann C, Spitzer MS, Poli S, Feltgen N, Schultheiss M. Central retinal artery occlusion - detection score. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1129002. [PMID: 36936219 PMCID: PMC10014563 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1129002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the sensitivity and specificity of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO)-Detection Score in diagnosing CRAO via questionnaire and without fundoscopy. Methods This prospective study enrolled 176 emergency patients suffering from acute visual loss, of whom 38 were suffering from CRAO. Before conducting any examination, we administered our questionnaire containing six questions, followed by a thorough ophthalmologic examination to make the diagnosis. Statistical analysis involved a LASSO penalised multivariate logistic regression model. Results Our receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis based on a LASSO penalised multivariate logistic regression model showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9 - three out of six questions were selected by LASSO. Interestingly, the unweighted ROC analysis of only two questions (Short CRAO-Detection Score) yielded similar results with an AUC of 0.88. The short CRAO-Detection Score of 2 yielded 14% (4/28) false positive patients. Conclusion This prospective study demonstrates that a high percentage of CRAO patients are detectable with a questionnaire. The CRAO-Detection Score might be used to triage patients suffering acute visual loss, which is important as intravenous fibrinolysis seem to be time-dependent to be effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Casagrande
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Fabian Kück
- Department of Medical Statistics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Carsten Grohmann
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin S. Spitzer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Poli
- Department of Neurology and Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nicolas Feltgen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maximilian Schultheiss
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Maximilian Schultheiss,
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Hoyer C, Winzer S, Matthé E, Heinle I, Sandikci V, Nabavi D, Platten M, Puetz V, Szabo K. Current diagnosis and treatment practice of central retinal artery occlusion: results from a survey among German stroke units. Neurol Res Pract 2022; 4:30. [PMID: 35909171 PMCID: PMC9341096 DOI: 10.1186/s42466-022-00193-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a neuro-ophthalmological emergency whose optimal management is still under debate and due to the absence of definite guidelines, practice is expected to vary. We aimed to characterize early evaluation as well as acute treatment and diagnostic approaches in German hospitals with a stroke unit (SU). Methods In 07/2021, all 335 certified German SUs were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey endorsed by the German Stroke Society on emergency department care organization, diagnostic procedures, and treatment of patients with unilateral vision loss (UVL) subsequently diagnosed with CRAO. Results One hundred and sixty-three (48.6%) of the 335 eligible centers responded. Most (117/135; 86.7%) stated that UVL patients were treated as an emergency, in 62/138 (44.9%) hospitals according to specific guidelines. First-line evaluation was performed by neurologists in 85/136 (62.5%) hospitals, by ophthalmologists in 43/136 (31.6%) hospitals. Seventy of 135 (51.9%) respondents indicated a lack of on-site ophthalmological expertise. Seventy-four of 129 (57.4%) respondents performed thrombolysis in CRAO and 92/97 (94.8%) stated that patients with CRAO–if admitted to neurology–were treated on a SU. Conclusions Our findings reflect notable heterogeneity in early intrahospital care of CRAO in German SUs but demonstrate a preference for work-up and management as acute stroke by the involved neurologists. Streamlining interdisciplinary emergency evaluation is essential for ongoing and future prospective trials.
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s42466-022-00193-w.
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Roskal-Wałek J, Wałek P, Biskup M, Sidło J, Cieśla E, Odrobina D, Mackiewicz J, Wożakowska-Kapłon B. Retinal Artery Occlusion and Its Impact on the Incidence of Stroke, Myocardial Infarction, and All-Cause Mortality during 12-Year Follow-Up. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11144076. [PMID: 35887842 PMCID: PMC9324734 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11144076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality in patients with retinal artery occlusion (RAO). This single-center retrospective study included 139 patients diagnosed with RAO between 2009 and 2020. The control group included 139 age- and sex-matched patients without RAO who underwent cataract surgery. The year of the surgery corresponded to the year of RAO onset. During the 12-year follow-up, patients with RAO had a shorter time to death (49.95 vs. 15.74 months; p = 0.043), a higher all-cause mortality rate (log-rank p = 0.026, and a higher rate of the composite endpoint, including ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality (log-rank p = 0.024), as compared with controls. Patients with RAO younger than 75 years showed a higher risk of cerebral ischemic stroke (log-rank p = 0.008), all-cause mortality (log-rank p = 0.023), and the composite endpoint (log-rank p = 0.001) than controls. However, these associations were not demonstrated for patients aged 75 years or older. Our study confirms that patients with RAO have a higher risk of all-cause mortality than those without RAO. Moreover, patients with RAO who are younger than 75 years are significantly more likely to experience ischemic stroke, death, or the composite endpoint after an occlusion event, as compared with individuals without RAO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Roskal-Wałek
- Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, 25-317 Kielce, Poland; (J.R.-W.); (E.C.); (D.O.); (B.W.-K.)
- Ophthalmology Clinic, Voivodeship Regional Hospital, 25-736 Kielce, Poland; (M.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Paweł Wałek
- Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, 25-317 Kielce, Poland; (J.R.-W.); (E.C.); (D.O.); (B.W.-K.)
- 1st Clinic of Cardiology and Electrotherapy, Swietokrzyskie Cardiology Centre, 25-736 Kielce, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-413-671-440; Fax: +48-413-671-510
| | - Michał Biskup
- Ophthalmology Clinic, Voivodeship Regional Hospital, 25-736 Kielce, Poland; (M.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Jacek Sidło
- Ophthalmology Clinic, Voivodeship Regional Hospital, 25-736 Kielce, Poland; (M.B.); (J.S.)
| | - Elżbieta Cieśla
- Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, 25-317 Kielce, Poland; (J.R.-W.); (E.C.); (D.O.); (B.W.-K.)
| | - Dominik Odrobina
- Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, 25-317 Kielce, Poland; (J.R.-W.); (E.C.); (D.O.); (B.W.-K.)
- Ophthalmology Clinic Boni Fratres Lodziensis, 93-357 Łódź, Poland
| | - Jerzy Mackiewicz
- Department of Vitreoretinal Surgery, Medical University of Lublin, 20-079 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Beata Wożakowska-Kapłon
- Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University, 25-317 Kielce, Poland; (J.R.-W.); (E.C.); (D.O.); (B.W.-K.)
- 1st Clinic of Cardiology and Electrotherapy, Swietokrzyskie Cardiology Centre, 25-736 Kielce, Poland
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Wenzel DA, Poli S, Casagrande M, Druchkiv V, Spitzer MS, Bartz-Schmidt KU, Grohmann C, Schultheiss M. Inner Retinal Layer Hyperreflectivity Is an Early Biomarker for Acute Central Retinal Artery Occlusion. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:854288. [PMID: 35872772 PMCID: PMC9299355 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.854288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate inner retinal hyperreflectivity on optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a potential biomarker indicating acute central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). Methods A total of 56 patients at two university hospitals with acute CRAO (symptom onset ≤48 h) were included in this retrospective study. The optical intensity of the inner retinal layers was determined in both eyes and the relationship between symptom onset and inner retinal layer optical intensity in OCT scans compared to the unaffected fellow eye was analyzed. Several differential diagnoses [central retinal vein occlusion, anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, diabetic macular edema, and subretinal fibrosis/disciform scar (Junius-Kuhnt)] served as controls to validate optical intensity-based diagnosis of CRAO. Results CRAO strongly correlated with an increased inner retinal layer hyperreflectivity in this cohort with acute CRAO with a time since symptom onset ranging from 1.1 to 48.0 h. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.99 to confirm CRAO with a true positive rate of 0.93 and a false positive rate of 0.02. No correlation between optical intensity and time since symptom onset was noticeable. None of the differential diagnoses did show an elevated optical intensity of the inner retinal layers as it was detectable in CRAO. Conclusion OCT-based determination of inner retinal layer hyperreflectivity is a very promising biomarker for a prompt diagnosis of CRAO in an emergency setting. This may be of major interest to speed up the administration of a possible thrombolytic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A. Wenzel
- University Eye Hospital, Centre for Ophthalmology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Poli
- Department of Neurology and Stroke, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Maria Casagrande
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Vasyl Druchkiv
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin S. Spitzer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Carsten Grohmann
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Schultheiss
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Maximilian Schultheiss,
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this study was to summarize available evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) using recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with specific comorbidities and potential contraindications to systemic reperfusion therapy. Recent advances in IVT implementation in wake-up stroke and in extended time window using advanced neuroimaging will also be highlighted. RECENT FINDINGS Despite theoretical concerns of a higher bleeding risk with IVT, there are no data showing increased risk of symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (sICH) in patients with stroke mimics, including seizures, increasing age and dual antiplatelet pretreatment. In addition, recent randomized evidence allows us to expand the time window of IVT for AIS using advanced neuroimaging both in wake-up stroke patients and in patients presenting within 4.5-9 h from symptom onset fulfilling certain neuroimaging criteria (based on DWI/FLAIR mismatch or perfusion mismatch). SUMMARY IVT is a highly effective systemic reperfusion therapy that counts 25 years of everyday clinical experience but still presents several challenges in its application. Appropriate patient selection and adherence to rt-PA protocol is paramount in terms of safety. The effort to simplify the indications, expand the therapeutic time window and eliminate specific initial contraindications is continuously evolving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klearchos Psychogios
- Second Department of Neurology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, 'Attikon' University Hospital, Athens
- Stroke Unit, Metropolitan Hospital, Piraeus, Greece
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, 'Attikon' University Hospital, Athens
- Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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Flowers AM, Chan W, Meyer BI, Bruce BB, Newman NJ, Biousse V. Referral Patterns of Central Retinal Artery Occlusion to an Academic Center Affiliated With a Stroke Center. J Neuroophthalmol 2021; 41:480-487. [PMID: 34788238 PMCID: PMC9546636 DOI: 10.1097/wno.0000000000001409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a medical emergency, and patients who present acutely should be immediately referred to the nearest stroke center. We evaluated practice patterns for CRAO management at one academic center over the last decade. METHODS This was a retrospective study on all adult patients diagnosed with a CRAO seen at one tertiary hospital and outpatient clinic affiliated with a comprehensive stroke center ("our institution") from 2010 to 2020. Our electronic medical records were searched for CRAO diagnoses, and patient medical records were reviewed. The exclusion criteria were incorrect diagnosis, unclear diagnosis, historical CRAO, or satellite clinic location. Demographics, distance and time to presentation to our institution, number and type of prior providers seen, diagnostic tests performed, and treatments provided were collected. Summary statistics of median, mean, and frequency were calculated and reported with measures of variance (interquartile range [IQR], ranges). F, Tukey, and Fisher exact tests were used for comparisons. RESULTS We included 181 patients with a diagnosis of CRAO (80 [44.2%] women; median age 69 years [range 20-101]). The median distance from patient's home to our institution was 27.8 miles (IQR 15.5-57.4; range 2.4-930). The median time from visual loss to presentation at our institution was 144 hours (IQR 23-442 hours, range 0.5-2,920) from 2010 to 2013, 72 hours (IQR 10.5-372 hours, range 0-13,140) from 2014 to 2016, and 48 hours (IQR 7-180 hours, range 0-8,030) from 2017 to 2020 (P = 0.07). 91/181 (50%) patients presented to an outpatient provider. 73/181 (40%) presented to an emergency department. Eighty-six percent presented within 1 week of visual loss onset, and rates of comprehensive inpatient evaluation for acute CRAO improved from 44% in 2010-2013 to 82% in 2017-2020 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Patients with CRAO often present late and only after evaluation by multiple outpatient providers. Improvement has occurred over the past decade, but delays underscore the barriers to performing clinical trials evaluating very acute treatments for CRAO. Educational interventions for healthcare providers and patients are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis M Flowers
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Wesley Chan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | | | - Beau B. Bruce
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Nancy J. Newman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Valérie Biousse
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322
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Vestergaard N, Torp-Pedersen C, Vorum H, Aasbjerg K. Risk of Stroke, Myocardial Infarction, and Death Among Patients With Retinal Artery Occlusion and the Effect of Antithrombotic Treatment. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:2. [PMID: 34468694 PMCID: PMC8419877 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.11.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the risk of future stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and death of patients with retinal artery occlusion (RAO) and the effect of various antithrombotic treatments as secondary prevention. Methods This cohort study was based on nationwide health registries and included the entire Danish population from 2000 to 2018. All patients with RAO were identified and their adjusted risks of stroke, MI, or death in time periods since RAO were compared with those of the Danish population. Furthermore, antithrombotic treatment of patients with RAO was determined by prescription claims, and the association with the risk of stroke, MI, or death was assessed using multivariate Poisson regression models and expressed as rate ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results After inclusion, 6628 individuals experienced a first-time RAO, of whom 391 had a stroke, 66 had a MI, and 402 died within the first year after RAO. RAO was associated with an increased risk of stroke, MI, or death which persisted for more than 1 year for all three outcomes but was highest on days 3 to 14 after RAO for stroke, with an adjusted RR of 50.71 (95% CI, 41.55–61.87), and on days 14 to 90 after RAO for MI and death, with adjusted RRs of 1.98 (95% CI, 1.25–3.15) and 1.64 (95% CI, 1.28–189), respectively. Overall, antithrombotic treatment was not associated with any protective effect the first year. Conclusions Patients with RAO had an increased risk of stroke, MI, or death. No protective effect of antithrombotic treatment was shown. Translational Relevance These findings are relevant to the management of patients with RAO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanna Vestergaard
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Henrik Vorum
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Kristian Aasbjerg
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.,Himmerland Eye Clinic, Aalborg, Denmark
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Chan W, Flowers AM, Meyer BI, Bruce BB, Newman NJ, Biousse V. Acute Central Retinal Artery Occlusion Seen within 24 Hours at a Tertiary Institution. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2021; 30:105988. [PMID: 34271275 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2021.105988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Acute central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is an emergency with poor visual outcome. Intravenous thrombolysis within 4.5 h of vision loss is safe and may improve vision, but is rarely administered because of frequent delays in presentation. We describe a subgroup of CRAO patients presenting within 24 h of vision loss to a tertiary care center affiliated with a comprehensive stroke center. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective review of 181 consecutive CRAO patients seen at our institution from 2010 to 2020. RESULTS Out of 181 CRAO patients, 62 (34%) presented within 24 h of vision loss and tended to live closer to the hospital. These patients were more likely to be admitted to the hospital and receive comprehensive stroke work-up compared to patients who presented after 24 h of vision loss. Patients presenting after 24 h did not necessarily receive prior appropriate work-up at outside institutions. Conservative treatments for CRAO were administered to 20/181 patients, and only 3 patients received intravenous thrombolysis. CONCLUSIONS Patients with CRAO do not present to the emergency department fast enough and diagnosis of CRAO is often delayed. Despite having a protocol in place, only 3/181 patients received IV thrombolysis, emphasizing the difficulty in administering very acute treatments for CRAO. Public education regarding CRAO is necessary to improve presentation times, management, and visual outcomes. Hospitals need to develop accelerated diagnostic pathway protocols for patients with acute vision loss so that CRAO patients may be diagnosed and be considered for potential acute treatments as quickly as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley Chan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-B Clifton Road NE, Suite B4500, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
| | - Alexis M Flowers
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-B Clifton Road NE, Suite B4500, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
| | - Benjamin I Meyer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-B Clifton Road NE, Suite B4500, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Beau B Bruce
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-B Clifton Road NE, Suite B4500, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
| | - Nancy J Newman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-B Clifton Road NE, Suite B4500, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States; Department of Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
| | - Valérie Biousse
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-B Clifton Road NE, Suite B4500, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
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