Objective To observe the clinical effect of intravenous thrombolytic therapy for central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) with poor effect after the treatment of arterial thrombolytic therapy. Methods Twenty-four CRAO patients (24 eyes) with poor effect after the treatment of arterial thrombolytic therapy were enrolled in this study. There were 11 males and 13 females. The age was ranged from 35 to 80 years, with the mean age of (56.7±15.6) years. There were 11 right eyes and 13 left eyes. The visual acuity was tested by standard visual acuity chart. The arm-retinal circulation time (A-Rct) and the filling time of retinal artery and its branches (FT) were detected by fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA). The visual acuity was ranged from light sensation to 0.5, with the average of 0.04±0.012. The A-Rct was ranged from 18.0 s to 35.0 s, with the mean of (29.7±5.8) s. The FT was ranged from 4.0 s to 16.0 s, with the mean of (12.9±2.3) s. All patients were treated with urokinase intravenous thrombolytic therapy. The dosage of urokinase was 3000 U/kg, 2 times/d, adding 250 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride intravenous drip, 2 times between 8 - 10 h, and continuous treatment of FFA after 5 days. Comparative analysis was performed on the visual acuity of the patients before and after treatment, and the changes of A-Rct and FT. Results After intravenous thrombolytic therapy, the A-Rct was ranged from 16.0 s to 34.0 s, with the mean of (22.4±5.5) s. Among 24 eyes, the A-Rct was 27.0 - 34.0 s in 4 eyes (16.67%), 18.0 - 26.0 s in 11 eyes (45.83%); 16.0 - 17.0 s in 9 eyes (37.50%). The FT was ranged from 2.4 s to 16.0 s, with the mean of (7.4±2.6) s. Compared with before intravenous thrombolytic therapy, the A-Rct was shortened by 7.3 s and the FT was shortened by 5.5 s with the significant differences (χ2=24.6, 24.9; P＜0.01). After intravenous thrombolytic therapy, the visual acuity was ranged from light sensation to 0.6, with the average of 0.08±0.011. There were 1 eye with vision of light perception (4.17%), 8 eyes with hand movement/20 cm (33.33%), 11 eyes with 0.02 - 0.05 (45.83%), 2 eyes with 0.1 - 0.2 (8.33%), 1 eye with 0.5 (4.17%) and 1 eye with 0.6 (4.17%). The visual acuity was improved in 19 eyes (79.17%). The difference of visual acuity before and after intravenous thrombolytic therapy was significant (χ2=7.99, P＜0.05). There was no local and systemic adverse effects during and after treatment. Conclusion Intravenous thrombolytic therapy for CRAO with poor effect after the treatment of arterial thrombolytic therapy can further improve the circulation of retinal artery and visual acuity.
Embolus occlusion in the retinal artery is the most common cause of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), while hypertension is the most common risk factor of CRAO, and ipsilateral carotid artery stenosis is the most significant risk factor in CRAO. Current clinical treatments include conservative treatments such as dilation of blood vessels and lowering the intraocular pressure (IOP), as well as aggressive treatments like intravenous thrombolysis and Nd:YAG laser. Both thrombolysis and Nd:YAG laser treatment can improve the visual acuity of CRAO patients, but because of its lack of randomized controlled trials, further clinical studies are needed to determine their efficacy and safety. CRAO patients may have vascular embolism at other sites in the body, and may cause different degrees of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. The probability of secondary ocular neovascularization following the occurrence of these events is 2.5% to 31.6%. In addition to eye care, clinicians should also focus more on preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, and focus on the screening and active treatment of systemic risk factors to reduce the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical effects of urokinase thrombolytic therapy for optic artery occlusion (OAO) and retinal artery occlusion (RAO) caused by facial microinjection with hyaluronic acid and spontaneous RAO.MethodsFrom January 2014 to February 2018, 22 eyes of 22 patients with OAO and RAO caused by facial microinjection of hyaluronic acid who received treatment in Xi'an Fourth Hospital were enrolled in this retrospective study (hyaluronic acid group). Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients with spontaneous RAO were selected as the control group. The BCVA examination was performed using the international standard visual acuity chart, which was converted into logMAR visual acuity. FFA was used to measure arm-retinal circulation time (A-Rct) and filling time of retinal artery and its branches (FT). Meanwhile, MRI examination was performed. There were significant differences in age and FT between the two groups (t=14.840, 3.263; P=0.000, 0.003). The differecens of logMAR visual acuity, onset time and A-Rct were not statistically significant between the two groups (t=0.461, 0.107, 1.101; P=0.647, 0.915, 0.277). All patients underwent urokinase thrombolysis after exclusion of thrombolytic therapy. Among the patients in the hyaluronic acid group and control group, there were 6 patients of retrograde ophthalmic thrombolysis via the superior pulchlear artery, 6 patients of retrograde ophthalmic thrombolysis via the internal carotid artery, and 10 patients of intravenous thrombolysis. FFA was reviewed 24 h after treatment, and A-Rct and FT were recorded. Visual acuity was reviewed 30 days after treatment. The occurrence of adverse reactions during and after treatment were observed. The changes of logMAR visual acuity, A-Rct and FT before and after treatment were compared between the two groups using t-test.ResultsAt 24 h after treatment, the A-Rct and FT of the hyaluronic acid group were 21.05±3.42 s and 5.05±2.52 s, which were significantly shorter than before treatment (t=4.569, 2.730; P=0.000, 0.000); the A-Rct and FT in the control group were 19.55±4.14 s and 2.55±0.91 s, which were significantly shorter than before treatment (t=4.114, 7.601; P=0.000, 0.000). There was no significant difference in A-Rct between the two groups at 24 h after treatment (t=1.311, P=0.197). The FT difference was statistically significant between the two groups at 24 h after treatment (t=4.382, P=0.000). There was no significant difference in the shortening time of A-Rct and FT between the two groups (t=0.330, 0.510; P=0.743, 0.613). At 30 days after treatment, the logMAR visual acuity in the hyaluronic acid group and the control group were 0.62±0.32 and 0.43±0.17, which were significantly higher than those before treatment (t=2.289, 5.169; P=0.029, 0.000). The difference of logMAR visual acuity between the two groups after treatment was statistically significant (t=2.872, P=0.008). The difference in logMAR visual acuity before and after treatment between the two groups was statistically significant (t=2.239, P=0.025). No ocular or systemic adverse reactions occurred during or after treatment in all patients. ConclusionsUrokinase thrombolytic therapy for OAO and RAO caused by facial microinjection with hyaluronic acid and spontaneous RAO is safe and effective, with shortening A-Rct, FT and improving visual acuity. However, the improvement of visual acuity after treatment of OAO and RAO caused by facial microinjection with hyaluronic acid is worse than that of spontaneous RAO.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effect of the ophthalmic artery branch retrograde interventional therapy for central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). MethodsFourteen CRAO patients (14 eyes) were enrolled in this study, including 8 males and 6 females. The age was ranged from 35 to 80 years old,with an average of (56.7±20.3) years. The duration of occurrence after the onset was 9 to 72 hours, with a mean of 22 hours. There were 4 eyes with vision of no light perception, 5 eyes with light perception and 5 eyes with hand movement. The intraocular pressure was ranged from 14-20 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), with an average of 19 mmHg. All the patients received the treatment of ophthalmic artery branch retrograde interventional therapy according to the indications and contraindications of thrombolytic therapy in acute cerebral infraction patients. Micro catheters was inserted into the exposed arteries from a skin incision below the eyebrow under guidance of digital subtraction angiography (DSA), urokinase (total 0.4 million U) and papaverine 30 mg were injected into the arteries. After artery thrombolysis, the changes of DSA, filling time of retinal artery and its branches on fluorescence fundus angiography (FFA) within 48 hours and the visual acuity were observed. According to the visual acuity of post-treatment and pre-treatment, the therapeutic effects on vision were defined as effective markedly (improving 3 lines or more), effective (improving 2 lines) and no effect (change within 1 line or a decline). According to the arm-retinal circulation time (A-Rct) and filling time of retinal artery and its branches (FT) on fluorescence fundus angiography (FFA), the therapeutic effects on retinal circulation were defined as effective markedly (A-Rct 15 s, FT 2 s), effective (A-Rct was improved but in the range of 16-20 s, FT was in 3-8 s) and no effect (A-Rct was improved but 21 s, FT 9 s). The follow up ranged from 5 to 21days, with a mean of 6 days. The related local or systemic complications were recorded. ResultsOphthalmic arterial catheterization under DSA was successful in all 14 eyes. After intermittent injection of drugs, ophthalmic artery and internal carotid artery displayed good images in DSA. The results showed enlargement of ophthalmic artery and its branches after injection of thrombolytic drugs by micro catheters. The circulation time in ophthalmic artery is speed up for 2 s before thrombolysis in 5 eyes, 3 s in 6 eyes, and 4 s in 3 eyes. Within 48 hours after thrombolysis treatment, the filling time of retinal artery and its branches on FFA was significantly increased than that of before interventional therapy. The retinal circulation was effective markedly in 8 eyes (57.1%), effective in 4 eyes (28.6%) and no effect in 2 eyes (14.3%). The vision changes showed effective markedly in 6 eyes (42.9%), effective in 6 eyes (42.9%), no effect in 2 eyes (14.2%). There was no abnormal eye movements, vitreous hemorrhage and incision hematoma, intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral embolism, and other local and systemic adverse effectives during the follow-up. ConclusionsThe ophthalmic artery branch retrograde interventional therapy in the treatment for CRAO can improve retinal circulation and vision. And there is no related local or systemic complications.
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of interventional thrombolytic therapy for central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) with ipsilateral internal carotid artery occlusion via supratrochlear artery retrogradely or external carotid artery anterogradely.MethodsNine CRAO patients (9 eyes) were enrolled in this study, including 5 males and 4 females. The mean age was (45.2±18.1) years. The mean onset duration was 24 hours. There were 4 eyes with vision of no light perception, 3 eyes with light perception and 2 eyes with hand movement. Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) examination showed that the retinal artery was filled with delayed fluorescence. The peak of fluorescence was seen in the anterior part of the artery, and some of the eyes showed retrograde filling. The arm-retinal circulation time (A-Rct) was ≥35 s in 4 eyes, ≥35 s - ＜25 s in 5 eyes. The filling time of retinal artery and its branches (FT) was ≥15 s in 2 eyes, ≥12 s - ＜15 s in 3 eyes, ≥9 s - ＜12 s in 4 eyes. All the patients received the treatment of interventional thrombolytic therapy via supratrochlear artery retrogradely (8 eyes) or external carotid artery anterogradely (1 eye) according to the indications and contraindications of thrombolytic therapy in acute cerebral infraction patients. Urokinase (0.4 million U in total) was intermittently injected into the arteries. After artery thrombolysis, the changes of digital subtraction angiography (DSA), filling time of retinal artery and its branches on FFA within 24 hours and the visual acuity were observed. According to the A-Rct and FT on FFA, the therapeutic effects on retinal circulation were defined as effective markedly (A-Rct≤15 s, FT≤2 s) , effective (A-Rct was improved but in the range of 16 - 20 s, FT was in 3 - 8 s) and no effect (A-Rct was improved but ≥21 s, FT≥9 s). The related local or systemic complications were recorded.ResultsAfter the injection of urokinase into the catheter, the ophthalmic artery and its branches were increased in 6 eyes (66.7%), and the development of the eye ring was significantly more than that of the eyes before thrombolysis. The circulation time in ophthalmic artery was speeded up for 2 s before thrombolysis in 3 eyes, 3 s in 3 eyes, and 4 s in 2 eyes. Within 24 hours after thrombolysis treatment, the A-Rct was significantly decreased than that of before interventional therapy. The retinal circulation was effective markedly in 4 eyes (44.4%), effective in 4 eyes (44.4%) and no effect in 1 eyes (11.2%) . The vision was improved 3 lines in 4 eyes (44.4%), 2 lines in 3 eyes (33.3%), 1 line in 1 eye (11.2%) and no change in 1 eye (11.2%). There were no abnormal eye movements, vitreous hemorrhage and incision hematoma, intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral embolism, and other local and systemic adverse effectives during the follow-up.ConclusionsThe interventional thrombolytic therapy via supratrochlear artery retrogradely or external carotid artery anterogradely for CRAO with the ipsilateral internal carotid artery occlusion can improve retinal circulation and vision. There are no related local or systemic complications.
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects of thrombolysis infusion via microcatheter on the treatment of central retinal artery occlusion(CRAO). MethodsUrokinase (UK) was directly infused via ophthalmic artery (OA) by microcatheter (6 patients) or via intravenous (7 patients) to dissolve the thrombus. The patency of the artery was evaluated by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), and the effect of fibrinolytic activity on the systemic changes was observed by blood biochemical examination simultaneously. ResultsIn 6 patients in the microcatheter group, 5 had completely and 1 had partly reopened OA on the morrow of UK infusion with the patency rate of 83.33%, while in 7 patients in vein group, 3 completely reopened, 2 partly reopened and 2 obstructed OA were found with the patency rate of 42.86%. The difference between the two groups was significant. No obvious change of index of blood coagulation system was found in catheter group, which had great disparity compared with the vein group.ConclusionUrokinase infusion via microcatheter in CRAO has better therapeutic impact and smaller effect on systemic action. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:16-19)
Objective To explore the short-term efficacy and safety of intra-arterial thrombolysis (IAT) in the treatment of retinal artery occlusion (RAO) with the assistance of the rescue green channel in the eye stroke center. Methods A prospective, interventional, single-center study. Thirty-eight eyes from 38 RAO patients who received IAT treatment in Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital were enrolled. All the patients were rescued via the green channel in our eye stroke center. Data from comprehensive ocular examinations including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) were collected. BCVA was measured with Snellen chart and converted to the logarithmic minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) unit for statistical analysis. RTVue XR OCTA was used to measure vascular densities (VD) of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP) and radial peripapillary capillary (RPC), and central retinal thickness (CRT). All RAO eyes attempted IAT treatment and 34 eyes were successful. Four eyes failed to complete IAT because of the occlusion of internal or common carotid arteries on the same side with the RAO eyes. Ocular examinations in post-operative 1-3 days were performed with the same devices and methods as those before surgery. Parameters measured before and after surgery include BCVA, VD of SCP, DCP, RPC, and CRT. Data of the green channel collected include the time intervals from onset of RAO to first presentation in local hospitals, and from onset of RAO to our eye stroke center. Comparisons of VD and CRT between the RAO eyes and contralateral healthy eyes were performed with independent samples Mann-Whitney U test; comparisons of VD and CRT in RAO eyes before and after IAT surgery were performed with paired samples Wilcoxon Rank Sum test. Results Among the 34 RAO patients who had successful IAT surgery, 18 (52.9%, 18/34) were males and 16 (47.1%, 16/34) were females; the mean age was (51.0±12.9) years old. There were 30 and 4 eyes diagnosed as central RAO and branch RAO respectively. The logMAR BCVA before and after IAT surgery was 2.52±0.61 and 2.18±0.85 respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (Z=－3.453, P=0.002). Before surgery, VD of SCP, DCP and RPC were significantly decreased and CRT was significantly increased in the affected eye compared with the contralateral healthy eyes, with the statistical significance (P＜0.001). Compared with those before surgery, the VD of SCP and DCP were significantly improved after surgery (Z=－2.523, －2.427; P=0.010, 0.014), while there was no difference in VD of RPC and CRT (Z=－1.448, －1.454; P=0.150, 0.159). The time interval between onset of RAO and first visit to the hospital was (6.56±6.73) hours; the time interval between onset of RAO and the arrival at our hospital was (24.11±19.90) hours. No cerebral stroke was observed in the early post-operative period and no cerebrocardiovascular events were observed later. he time interval between onset of RAO and the arrival at our hospital was (24.11±19.90) hours. No cerebral stroke was observed in the early post-operative period and no cerebrocardiovascular events were observed later. Conclusions The short-term efficacy and safety of IAT in the treatment of RAO were satisfactory. The rescue time window might be prolonged.
Objective To investigate the relationship between age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (aCCI) and ischemic stroke in patients with ophthalmic artery occlusion (OAO) or retinal artery occlusion (RAO). MethodsA single center retrospective cohort study. Seventy-four patients with OAO or RAO diagnosed by ophthalmology examination in Shenzhen Second People's Hospital from June 2004 to December 2020 were included in the study. The baseline information of patients were collected and aCCI was used to score the patients’ comorbidity. The outcome was ischemic stroke. The median duration of follow-up was 1 796.5 days. According to the maximum likelihood ratio of the two-piecewise COX regression model and the recursive algorithm, the aCCI inflection point value was determined to be 6, and the patients were divided into low aCCI group (＜6 points) and high aCCI group (≥6 points). A Cox regression model was used to quantify the association between baseline aCCI and ischemic stroke. ResultsAmong the 74 patients, 53 were males and 21 were females, with the mean age of (55.22±14.18) (19-84) years. There were 9 patients of OAO and 65 patients of RAO. The aCCI value ranges from 1 to 10 points, with a median of 3 points. There were 63 patients (85.14%, 63/74) in the low aCCI group and 11 patients (14.86%, 11/74) in the high aCCI group. Since 2 patients could not determine the time from baseline to the occurrence of outcome events, 72 patients were included for Cox regression analysis. The results showed that 16 patients (22.22%, 16/72) had ischemic stroke in the future. The baseline aCCI in the low aCCI group was significantly associated with ischemic stroke [hazard ratio (HR)=1.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21-2.56, P=0.003], and for every 1 point increase in baseline aCCI, the risk of future ischemic stroke increased by 76% on average. The baseline aCCI in the high aCCI group had no significant correlation with the ischemic stroke (HR=0.66, 95%CI 0.33-1.33, P=0.247). ConclusionsaCCI score is an important prognostic information for patients with OAO or RAO. A higher baseline aCCI score predicts a higher risk of ischemic stroke, and the association has a saturation effect.
Objective To observe the clinical features of combined central retinal artery and vein occlusion. Methods The clinical data of eight patients of combined central retinal artery and vein occlusion diagnosed by fundus examination and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) was analyzed retrospectively, including the causes, fundus manifestations and FFA features. Results 4/8 patients had hypertension and dyslipidemia, 2/8 patients had traumatic retrobulbar hemorrhage, one patient had orbital cellulitis and one patient had systemic lupus erythematosus. All the patients had posterior pole retinal edema, hemorrhage, thin retinal artery, dilated vein, and papilledema. FFA showed delayed arterial filling, and there was no filling of retinal arterial branches until the late stage of FFA. Laminar flow delayed in large retinal veins, and there was no filling or only retrograde filling in retinal vein branches. Large areas with dot-like or patchy weak choroidal fluorescence can be observed in five patients. Conclusions Combined central retinal artery and vein occlusion is rare with complex etiology. The fundus manifestations and FFA features are atypical, but have features of central retinal artery occlusion and central retinal vein occlusion.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical characteristics of ophthalmic and cerebral artery occlusion after facial cosmetic injection.MethodsA retrospective case study. Twenty patients (20 eyes) with ophthalmic and cerebral artery occlusion in Department of Ophtalmology, The Fourth Hospital of Xi’an from February 2014 to December 2016 were enrolled in this study. There were 2 males (2 eyes) and 18 females (18 eyes). They aged from 21 to 41 years, with the mean age of 29.8±1.4 years. The disease courses was ranged from 3.5 hours to 21 days, with the mean of 40 hours. Facial cosmetic injections of all patients were performed at out-of-hospital beauty institutions. The visual impairment was associated with eyelid pain 1 to 10 minutes after injection.There were 12 right eyes and 8 left eyes.The injection materials, 18 patients were hyaluronic acid and 2 patients were autologous fat, respectively. At the injection site, 13 patients were sacral, 4 patients were nasal, and 3 patients were frontal. The concentration and dose of the injected filler were not known. All patients underwent vision, slit lamp microscope, fundus color photography, visual field, FFA, OCT, and brain CT, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) examination.ResultsThe visual acuity was ranged from no light perception to 1.0. Among the 20 eyes, 3 eyes (15%) were obstructed by simple ophthalmic artery; 5 eyes (25%) were obstructed by ophthalmic artery combined with cerebral artery; 7 eyes (35%) were obstructed by simple retinal artery occlusion (RAO) alone, which including central RAO (CRAO, 4 eyes), hemi-lateral artery obstruction (1 eye) and branch RAO (2 eyes); 1 eye (5%) was CRAO with ciliary artery branch obstruction; 1 eye (5%) was branch artery occlusion with ischemic optic neuropathy; 2 eyes (10%) were CRAO with nasal dorsal artery occlusion; 1 eye (5%) was CRAO, posterior ciliary artery obstruction and right middle cerebral artery occlusion. Among 20 patients, 4 patients (20%) had eye movement disorder and eyelid skin bun; 2 patients (10%) had facial pain and nasal skin ischemic necrosis. MRA revealed 6 patients (30%) of new intracranial ischemic lesions. Among them, 5 patients of hyaluronic acid injection showed asymptomatic small blood vessel embolization; 1 patient of autologous fat injection showed ophthalmary artery occlusion, cerebral artery occlusion, ipsilateral eye blindness, eye movement disorder and contralateral limb hemiplegia.ConclusionFacial cosmetic injection can cause severe iatrogenic complications such as RAO, ciliary artery occlusion, ischemic optic neuropathy, ophthalmic artery occlusion, and cerebral artery occlusion.