Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2025
08:12
Fully Endoscopic Mitral Valve Repair with Percutaneous Cannulation of Groin Vessels
Published on: May 26, 2023
1.7K
Modifications in ocular microperfusion after transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Anne Caroline Wolpers1,2, Thomas Welchowski3, Alexander Sedaghat4,5
1Department of Medicine II, Heart Center, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Scientific Reports
|August 30, 2023
Summary
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) can impair choroidal perfusion and cause retinal ischemia and emboli. These ocular complications, including reduced blood flow and silent emboli, suggest the need for patient monitoring after TAVI.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cerebral embolization is a known complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).
- The impact of TAVI on ocular perfusion remains unclear.
- Ocular microvascular changes following TAVI require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate post-procedural morphologic and perfusion changes in the retina and choroid after TAVI.
- To assess the effects of TAVI on ocular hemodynamics and microvasculature.
- To identify potential ocular complications associated with TAVI.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving ophthalmic examinations pre- and post-TAVI.
- Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) for quantitative analysis of retinal and choroidal vasculature.
- Color fundus photography (CFP) for detecting retinal ischemia, emboli, and other abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Significant impairment of choriocapillaris perfusion post-TAVI, evidenced by increased flow deficits (p=0.044).
- Increased average size of choriocapillaris flow voids after controlling for blood pressure (p=0.039, p=0.029).
- Retinal ischemia detected in 33% of participants via OCTA; silent emboli or cotton wool spots in 21% via CFP.
Conclusions:
- TAVI is associated with reduced choroidal perfusion and retinal ischemia.
- A considerable proportion of patients experience ocular embolization and perfusion deficits after TAVI.
- These findings suggest monitoring for ocular complications and updating consent procedures for TAVI.
