Intra-arterial thrombolysis for central retinal artery occlusion: two cases report

An Efficacy and Safety Study of Intra-arterial Recanalization of Occluded Ophthalmic Arteries in Patients with Monocular Blindness Caused by Injection of Hyaluronic Acid in Facial Tissues

PROPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of recanalizing hyaluronic acid-occluded retinal central artery by intra-arterially infusing hyaluronidase.

METHODS

Between December 2015 and December 2016, 30 patients with monocular blindness due to the injection of hyaluronic acid in facial tissue underwent ophthalmic artery recanalization. The outcome of the intra-arterial treatment was retrospectively reviewed. The fundus was examined 24 hours after the treatment to observe revisualization of the retinal arteries. The success rate of intra-arterial recanalization of the ophthalmic artery, procedure-related complications, visual acuity recovery, eyeball and eyelid movement restoration was followed up for up to 3 months.

RESULTS

The success rate of ophthalmic arterial catheterization was 100%. No interventional procedure-related adverse events were found. Twenty-six patients presented ptosis and 23 patients presented ocular motility disorders. The ptosis disappeared and 18 patients had normal eye movement after the intra-arterial therapy. Five of the 30 patients had visual improvement and four patients with complete vision loss gained some light perception. After the intra-arterial thrombolysis, digital subtraction angiographic imaging revealed enlarged and numerous branches of the ophthalmic artery and a clearer ring around the eye.

CONCLUSION

Intra-arterial infusion of hyaluronidase and mechanical recanalization is an effective and safe approach for recovering the visual acuity in the patients with monocular blindness caused by the migration of hyaluronic acid injected in the facial tissues.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

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Iatrogenic ophthalmic artery occlusion and retinal artery occlusion

Iatrogenic ophthalmic artery occlusion (IOAO) is a rare but devastating ophthalmic disease that may cause sudden and permanent visual loss. Understanding the possible etiologic modalities and pathogenic mechanisms of IOAO may prevent its occurrence. There are numerous medical etiologies of IOAO, including cosmetic facial filler injection, intravascular procedures, intravitreal gas or drug injection, retrobulbar anesthesia, intraarterial chemotherapy in retinoblastoma. Non-ocular surgeries and vascular events in arteries that are not directly associated with the ophthalmic artery, can also cause IOAO. Since IOAO has a limited number of treatment modalities, which lead to poor final visual prognosis, it is imperative to acknowledge the information regarding medical procedures that are etiologically associated with IOAO. We accumulated all searchable and available IOAO case reports (our cases and previous reported cases from the literature), classified them according to their mechanisms of pathogenesis, and summarized treatment options and responses of each of the causes. Various sporadic cases of IOAO can be categorized into three mechanisms as follows: intravascular event, orbital compartment syndrome, and increased intraocular pressure. Embolic IOAO, which is considered the primary cause of the condition, was classified into three subgroups according to the pathway of embolic movement (retrograde pathway, anterograde pathway, pathway through collateral channels). Despite the practical limitations of treating spontaneous (non-iatrogenic) retinal artery occlusion, this article will contribute in predicting and improving the prognosis of IOAO by recognizing the treatable factors. Furthermore, it is expected to provide clues to future research associated with the treatment of retinal artery occlusion.

Intra-Arterial Thrombolysis for Central Retinal Artery Occlusion

Introduction

Central retinal artery occlusion is an ophthalmic emergency which typically causes acute, painless visual loss. Several conservative treatment options are practiced with little benefit. Thrombolysis as a therapeutic option has gathered interest as well as controversy. This paper aims at reviewing the relevant literature to assess the efficacy and safety of intra-arterial thrombolysis for acute central retinal artery occlusion.

Methods

A review of the literature was conducted. Keywords included “intra-arterial thrombolysis” or “intra-arterial fibrinolysis” in combination with “central retinal artery occlusion” or “CRAO”. A Cochrane Database search was performed for randomised control trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses using the same keywords.

Results

Twenty-eight studies were identified which included case reports, case series, case-control studies and 1 randomised control trial: the European Assessment Group for Lysis in the Eye Study. Improvement in vision was measured using different methods and at different time points. The findings of these studies generally favour an effect towards intra-arterial thrombolysis however there are many limitations. Additionally, the European Assessment Group for Lysis in the Eye Study showed lack of effect in intra-arterial thrombolysis vs conservative measures.

Conclusion

Current evidence is not sufficient to recommend intra-arterial thrombolysis due to the variability of visual improvement within retrospective studies, heterogeneity in treatment regimens between studies and adverse effects. Intra-arterial thrombolysis may have a role in patients presenting early, particularly if they have monocular vision, after discussion of the risks and benefits. Further high-quality trials assessing the clinical efficacy of intra-arterial thrombolysis may shed more light on this topic.

A cluster of central retinal artery occlusions following cataract surgery

Purpose:

To report a series of central retinal artery occlusions (CRAO) following cataract surgery complicated by posterior capsular rupture (PCR).

Methods:

Data from 14 patients with acute CRAO following cataract surgery was collected for this study including subject demographics, initial and final best-corrected visual acuity, systemic investigations, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) findings.

Results:

Mean subject age was 59.9 ± 12.1 years. Male: Female ratio was 1:1. All patients were operated between October and November 2015 and presented with acute vision loss 1 to 4 days after surgery. All the patients underwent cataract surgery under peribulbar anesthesia and had PCR for which anterior vitrectomy (AV) was done. In all the cases Ethylene oxide (ETO) sterilized vitrectomy probe was used for AV. Clinical picture of CRAO was noted in all the cases during the immediate postoperative period. OCT showed inner retinal layer hyperreflectivity while FFA was normal in all the cases. The final visual acuity was poor in all the eyes. This paper discusses the possible mechanisms of CRAO in these cases.

Conclusion:

CRAO is a potential complication of peribulbar anesthesia for intraocular surgery in patients with vascular risk factors and hence any substance that can aggravate the vasospasm in such patients should be used cautiously. Vasospasm could be caused by ETO as residual ETO could be present in the vitrectomy machine tubing causing toxicity. It is recommended to be cautious while using ETO sterilized instruments for cataract surgery.

Acute retinal arterial ischemia

Acute retinal arterial ischemia, which includes transient monocular vision loss (TMVL), branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO), central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and ophthalmic artery occlusion (OAO), is most commonly the consequence of an embolic phenomenon from the ipsilateral carotid artery, heart or aortic arch, leading to partial or complete occlusion of the central retinal artery (CRA) or its branches. Acute retinal arterial ischemia is the ocular equivalent of acute cerebral ischemia and is an ophthalmic and medical emergency. Patients with acute retinal arterial ischemia are at a high risk of having further vascular events, such as subsequent strokes and myocardial infarctions (MIs). Therefore, prompt diagnosis and urgent referral to appropriate specialists and centers is necessary for further work-up (such as brain magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion weighted imaging, vascular imaging, and cardiac monitoring and imaging) and potential treatment of an urgent etiology (e.g., carotid dissection or critical carotid artery stenosis). Since there are no proven, effective treatments to improve visual outcome following permanent retinal arterial ischemia (central or branch retinal artery occlusion), treatment must focus on secondary prevention measures to decrease the likelihood of subsequent ischemic events.

Update on the Management of Central Retinal Artery Occlusion

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is caused by partial or complete occlusion of the central retinal artery, most commonly by an embolus from the ipsilateral carotid artery, aortic arch, or heart, and is the ocular equivalent of an acute cerebral ischemic event. The risk factors for a CRAO and acute cerebral ischemia are very similar, if not identical. Because no current therapeutic intervention has been shown to improve visual outcomes compared with the natural history of CRAO, management of CRAO should be focused on secondary prevention of vascular events, such as cerebral ischemia, myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular death.

Iatrogenic Central Retinal Artery Occlusion Following Retrobulbar Anesthesia for Intraocular Surgery

Purpose

To present clinical features of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) following retrobulbar anesthesia for intraocular surgery.

Methods

This observational case series describes 5 consecutive patients with acute CRAO following retrobulbar anesthesia for intraocular surgery. Data collected for this study included subject characteristics, retrobulbar anesthesia technique, treatment type, initial and final best-corrected visual acuity, and other ophthalmologic examinations.

Results

Mean subject age was 67.0 ± 8.2 years (range, 53 to 72 years). All patients had one or more vascular risk factors (e.g., hypertension, cerebral infarction, carotid artery stenosis) and presented with acute vision loss 1 day after uneventful intraocular surgery (cataract surgery in 2 eyes and vitrectomy in 3 eyes). All 5 patients received retrobulbar anesthesia during surgery, 4 of which involved the use of a sharp needle. No immediate complications were noted during intraocular surgery. Final visual prognosis was poor (from finger count to no light perception) although intraocular thrombolysis was attempted in 3 patients.

Conclusions

Iatrogenic CRAO is a potential complication of retrobulbar anesthesia for intraocular surgery in elderly patients with vascular risk factors. Unfortunately, this complication can lead to severe vision loss. We conclude that retrobulbar anesthesia for intraocular surgery should be performed with great care and special consideration for elderly patients with vascular risk factors.

Intra-arterial thrombolysis of central retinal artery occlusion following percutaneous atrial septal defect closure

Use of percutaneous devices for atrial septal defect (ASD) closure is growing, given the minimally invasive nature and the long-term durability of this approach. The reported rate of thrombus formation after catheter closure is 1.2%. Thrombotic risk varies according to closure device and Dacron-covered nitinol Amplatzer devices carry a 0-0.3% rate of thrombus formation; but central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is rarely implicated as an adverse event. Herein, we report the first successful intra-arterial thrombolytic treatment of CRAO developing after ASD closure via Amplatzer device. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Iatrogenic retinal artery occlusion caused by cosmetic facial filler injections

PURPOSE

To investigate the clinical manifestations and visual prognosis of retinal artery occlusion resulting from cosmetic facial filler injections.

DESIGN

Retrospective, noncomparative case series.

METHODS

Setting. Institutional. Study Population. Twelve consecutive patients with retinal artery occlusion caused by cosmetic facial filler injections. Main Outcome Measures. Filler materials, injection sites, best-corrected visual acuities, fundus fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography findings, and associated ocular and systemic manifestations.

RESULTS

Seven, 2, and 3 patients had ophthalmic, central retinal, and branch retinal artery occlusions, respectively. Injected materials included autologous fat (7 cases), hyaluronic acid (4 cases), and collagen (1 case), and injection sites were the glabellar region (7 cases), nasolabial fold (4 cases), or both (1 case). Injected autologous fat was associated with worse final best-corrected visual acuity than the other materials. All patients with ophthalmic artery occlusion had ocular pain and no improvement in best-corrected visual acuity. Optical coherence tomography revealed thinner and less vascular choroids in eyes with ophthalmic artery occlusion than in adjacent normal eyes. Concomitant brain infarction developed in 2 cases each of central retinal artery occlusion and ophthalmic artery occlusion. Phthisis developed in 1 case of ophthalmic artery occlusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Cosmetic filler injections into the glabellar region or nasolabial fold can cause retinal artery occlusion. Iatrogenic ophthalmic artery occlusion is associated with painful blindness, a thin choroid, brain infarction, and poor visual outcomes, particularly when autologous fat is used. Ophthalmic examination and systematic brain magnetic resonance imaging should be performed in patients with ocular pain after such injections.