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[Warfarin potassium for impending central retinal vein occlusion]
Insights
Warfarin treatment showed limited effectiveness for impending central retinal vein occlusion, particularly in elderly patients or those with significant vision loss. Improved venous circulation time is a key indicator for treatment success.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is a serious condition affecting vision.
- Anticoagulant therapy is a potential treatment strategy for CRVO.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of warfarin potassium (Warfarin) in patients with impending central retinal vein occlusion.
- To determine indicators for successful Warfarin treatment in CRVO.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 10 patients diagnosed with impending CRVO.
- Assessment of visual acuity, retinal hemorrhage resolution, and venous circulation time via fluorescein angiography.
Main Results:
- Retinal hemorrhages resolved in 6 eyes within 6 months.
- Photocoagulation was required for 4 patients with visual acuity of 0.1 or less at one month.
- Improved venous circulation time (<30 seconds) correlated with good visual prognosis.
- Warfarin was ineffective in patients with pre-existing vision loss and in 3 elderly patients (≥65 years).
Conclusions:
- Warfarin is not recommended for patients with established vision loss or the elderly in cases of impending CRVO.
- Late venous circulation time measured by fluorescein angiography is a valuable prognostic indicator for this treatment.
Purpose:
We reviewed the records of 10 patients who had impending central retinal vein occlusion in order judge whether anticoagulant treatment with warfarin potassium (Warfarin) was indicated.
Patients:
6 men and 4 women, ranging in age from 25 to 83 (average 55) years were studied.
Results:
Of 6 eyes, retinal hemorrhage disappeared completely within 6 months. Four patients whose visual acuity was 0.1 or less at one month needed photocoagulation. Four other patients whose late venous circulation time at fluorescein angiography improved within 30 seconds had good visual prognosis, 3 eyes of 4 patients aged 65 or older were not successful in regaining their visual acuity.
Conclusion:
Warfarin was not effective for patients who had clearly lost their visual acuity and the elderly in this series. Late venous circulation time at fluorescein angiography was a useful index for this treatment.