title: Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Central Retinal Artery Occlusion: Results of a Prospective and Standardized Medical Examination.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the underlying risk factors in patients with nonarteritic central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) in a well-defined and homogenous group of patients enrolled in the European Assessment Group for Lysis in the Eye (EAGLE) study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of the cardiovascular risk factors in a prospective, randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-seven EAGLE patients with nonarteritic CRAO.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of vascular risk factors and underlying diseases detected by questionnaire and standardized physical examination within 1 month after occlusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  The standardized physical examination included carotid Doppler ultrasonography, echocardiography, electrocardiography, blood pressure monitoring, pulse rate, urine analysis, body mass index analysis, and laboratory tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-seven of 84 patients had complete datasets for analysis. Fifty-two (67%) patients had cardiovascular risk factors in their medical history, and comprehensive phenotyping identified at least 1 new risk factor in 60 patients (78%; 95% confidence interval, 67%-87%). Thirty-one (40%) had carotid artery stenosis of at least 70%. Eleven patients experienced a stroke, 5 of those within 4 weeks after the CRAO occurred. Arterial hypertension was found in 56 (73%) patients and was newly diagnosed in 12 (16%) study participants. Cardiac diseases were also highly prevalent (22% coronary artery disease, 20% atrial fibrillation, and 17% valvular heart disease).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Previously undiagnosed vascular risk factors were found in 78% of all CRAO patients. The most meaningful risk factor was ipsilateral carotid artery stenosis. A comprehensive and prompt diagnostic work-up is mandatory for all CRAO patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Georg-August University, Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Callizo
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Georg-August University, Goettingen, Germany. Electronic address: nicolas.feltgen@med.uni-goettingen.de.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Feltgen
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Georg-August University, Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pantenburg
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximillians-University, Muenchen, Germany.
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximillians-University, Muenchen, Germany.
authors.forename: Aljoscha Steffen
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Neubauer
authors.affiliation: Helios Clinics Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jurklies
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Cardiology and Pneumology and German Cardiovascular Research Center, Georg-August University, Goettingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wachter
authors.affiliation: Clinical Trials Unit, Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmoor
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Neuroradiology, Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schumacher
authors.affiliation: Hannover Medical School, University Eye Hospital, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Junker
authors.affiliation: Hannover Medical School, University Eye Hospital, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Amelie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pielen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015356:Retinal Artery Occlusion / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D055815:Young Adult