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Central retinal vein occlusion immediately following cardiac surgery
Joshua Fosnot1, Carolyn Glazer-Hockstein, Michael J Tolentino
1Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
Insights
Cardiac surgery can lead to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) immediately after procedures. This case report highlights CRVO as a potential, rapid complication following extensive heart surgery, particularly with cardiopulmonary bypass.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- The link between cardiac surgery and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is known, but typically occurs months post-operation.
- Previous literature documents CRVO as a delayed complication following cardiac procedures.
Observation:
- This case report details a patient who developed CRVO immediately upon awakening from extensive cardiac surgery.
- The patient underwent aortic valve, aortic root, and proximal aortic arch replacements, along with coronary artery bypass grafts.
Findings:
- This is the first documented instance of CRVO occurring immediately after cardiac surgery.
- Ophthalmoscopically confirmed central retinal vein occlusion was diagnosed directly post-operatively.
Implications:
- Ophthalmologists and cardiac surgeons must recognize CRVO as an acute potential complication of cardiac surgery.
- The use of cardiopulmonary bypass during cardiac surgery may increase the risk of immediate CRVO.
Abstract:
The relationship between cardiac surgery and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) has been previously documented; however, in all of these cases the occlusion occurred months after the cardiac surgery. This is the first report of a patient awakening from cardiac surgery with ophthalmoscopically documented CRVO. This diagnostic case report describes a patient who developed CRVO immediately following extensive cardiac surgery including aortic valve, aortic root, and proximal aortic arch replacements, as well as coronary artery bypass grafts. Ophthalmologists and cardiac surgeons alike should be aware that CRVO is a potential complication of cardiac surgery, especially when cardiopulmonary bypass is necessary.