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A new form of retinopathy associated with myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention
N Kinoshita1, A Kakehashi, T Yasu
1Department of Ophthalmology, Omiya Medical Center, Jichi Medical School, 1-847 Amanuma, Saitama 300-8503, Japan. nobukawa@omiya.jichi.ac.jp
Insights
A new retinopathy linked to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was identified. This condition, characterized by cotton wool spots, resolves spontaneously without intervention.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a common procedure for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
- Ophthalmological complications following cardiovascular interventions are not well-documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel retinopathy observed in patients post-PCI for AMI.
- To characterize the clinical presentation and natural history of this newly identified retinopathy.
Main Methods:
- Serial ophthalmological examinations were performed on 40 patients undergoing PCI.
- Patients included 30 with AMI and 10 with stable angina.
Main Results:
- 57% of AMI patients (17/30) developed cotton wool spots within 2 months of PCI.
- Superficial hemorrhages occurred in 41% of affected patients.
- Retinopathy peaked at 1-2 months post-AMI and subsequently resolved without treatment.
Conclusions:
- A distinct form of retinopathy associated with AMI and PCI has been identified.
- This retinopathy appears to be self-limiting and resolves spontaneously.
Aim:
To report a new form of retinopathy that was observed in patients who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Methods:
Serial ophthalmological examinations were conducted in 40 patients who underwent PCI. Thirty patients were diagnosed with AMI, and another 10 had stable angina pectoris.
Results:
Cotton wool spots developed in 17 (57%) patients from the group with AMI undergoing PCI (n = 30) within 2 months. Of these, 41% (seven patients) also developed superficial haemorrhages. Retinopathy was most prominent 1-2 months after AMI and then tended to become quiescent afterwards, without treatment.
Conclusion:
We have identified a new form of retinopathy in patients with AMI that spontaneously subsides without treatment.
