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Updated: Aug 2, 2026
06:29
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Simultaneous bilateral retinal artery occlusions associated with a mitral valve mass
Sachin Kedar1, Valérie Biousse, Nancy J Newman
1Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Summary
Bilateral retinal artery occlusions in a patient with a normal initial echocardiogram were linked to a mitral valve lesion. Transesophageal echocardiography is crucial for diagnosing cardiac sources of emboli in such cases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Simultaneous bilateral retinal artery occlusions (BRAO) are rare and suggest an embolic source.
- Initial cardiac evaluation often includes trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE).
Observation:
- A 52-year-old woman presented with BRAO.
- Trans-thoracic echocardiography revealed no abnormalities.
- Trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) identified a mitral valve lesion.
Findings:
- The mitral valve lesion was the likely source of emboli causing BRAO.
- TEE provided superior visualization of the heart and aortic arch compared to TTE.
Implications:
- TEE is essential for comprehensive evaluation of patients with BRAO when TTE is normal.
- Early detection of cardiac abnormalities via TEE can prevent further embolic events.
- This case highlights the importance of advanced cardiac imaging in diagnosing the etiology of vision-threatening conditions.
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