Effect and compatibility of isovolaemic haemodilution in the treatment of ischaemic and non-ischaemic central retinal vein occlusion.
In a prospective study, 48 eyes with non-ischaemic and 35 with ischaemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) were treated by isovolaemic haemodilution (IHD). Two or more cardiovascular risk factors were present in 42% of patients with non-ischaemic and in 69% of patients with ischaemic CRVO (p less than 0.025). Nevertheless, IHD in no case caused serious cardiovascular complications. Minor problems were short fainting spells in 5% and a general weakness in 16% of the haemodiluted patients. The effect of IHD was measured by determining the time of maximal venous filling (tmvf) in fluorescein angiographies. Lowering the packed cell volume to 32-35% accelerated the tmvf from 18.4 +/- 1.61 to 13.1 +/- 1.0 s (p less than 0.001) in eyes with non-ischaemic CRVO and from 24.5 +/- 1.2 to 14.8 +/- 1.3 s (p less than 0.001) in eyes with ischaemic CRVO. After 3 months, an increase in visual acuity had occurred in 27% of eyes with non-ischaemic CRVO and in 48.5% with ischaemic CRVO. These improvement rates could nearly be maintained after 1 year. 59% of eyes with non-ischaemic and 25% with ischaemic CRVO were able to read (visual acuity greater than or equal to 6/15) after 1 year.
Hansen
L L
LL
Department of Ophthalmology, Klinikum Steglitz, Freie Universität, Berlin.
Wiek
J
J
Schade
M
M
Müller-Stolzenburg
N
N
Wiederholt
M
M
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006400:Hematocrit; D006438:Hemodilution; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000628:therapy*; D008028:Light Coagulation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity