Retinopathy after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stent insertion for acute myocardial infarction.
OBJECTIVE
To report microvascular retinopathy after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stent insertion for acute myocardial infarction.


METHODS
Observational case series.


METHODS
Retrospective review of seven patients with a retinal microangiopathy following coronary catheterization, angioplasty, and stent placement.


RESULTS
All patients had bilateral cotton-wool spots in peripapillary distribution; four also had retinal hemorrhages in both eyes. None complained of visual symptoms. Lesions resolved spontaneously within several months in six patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Although angioplasty and stent placement are less invasive than cardiac surgery, they appear to cause a retinopathy similar to postpump retinopathy.
Kusano
Yoshiaki
Y
Department of Ophthalmology, St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. yokusano@aol.com
Endo
Shinichiro
S
Mukai
Shizuo
S
Yamaguchi
Tatsuo
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*