Cortical blindness after coronary angiography: a rare but reversible complication.
Transient cortical blindness is a recognized complication after vertebral and cerebral angiography but is a rare event after cardiac angiography. The development of cortical blindness appears to be an adverse reaction to the contrast agent which results in an osmotic disruption of the blood-brain barrier which appears to be selective for the occipital cortex. Patient outcome appears to be generally favorable with return of vision within 24-48 hr. This study describes three patients who had transient cortical blindness after cardiac catheterization and reviews what is known about this unusual problem.
Kinn
R M
RM
University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Pennsylvania.
Breisblatt
W M
WM
D000328:Adult; D000792:Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology*; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000187:drug effects; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003973:Diatrizoate / Q000009:adverse effects; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine / Q000009:adverse effects; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000187:drug effects*
D003287:Contrast Media; D004338:Drug Combinations; D003973:Diatrizoate; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine; C027278:urovision