title: Branch retinal artery occlusion in systemic diseases: a case report.
abstract: Although branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) is a relatively benign disease in terms of permanent visual impairment, the associated systemic diseases confer significant morbidity and mortality. The following systemic disorders can be found among patients presenting with a retinal artery occlusion: hypertension (59%), significant atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (21%), diabetes mellitus (15% to 21%), left-sided valvular heart disease (5%), and cerebrovascular accidents (5%). These underlying systemic diseases are often responsible for a significant reduction in life expectancy and are in many cases potentially treatable conditions. A thorough cardiovascular examination (including a carotid duplex ultrasonography) may identify these occult diseases, and a prompt and effective treatment may improve the quantity and quality of patients' lives by reducing the risk of further arterial occlusive events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hondeghem
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blanckaert
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blanckaert
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology; D002342:Carotid Artery, External / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015356:Retinal Artery Occlusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013699:Temporal Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants