Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Atrial fibrillation as a novel risk factor for retinal stroke: A protocol for a population-based retrospective cohort
Jay B Lusk1,2,3, Lauren Wilson1, Vinit Nalwade1
1Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America.
Insights
Atrial fibrillation is a significant risk factor for central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), an eye stroke. Oral anticoagulation may reduce CRAO risk in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) causes severe vision loss and is often linked to carotid stenosis.
- However, nearly half of CRAO cases lack high-grade carotid stenosis, indicating other contributing factors.
- Cardioembolism, particularly from atrial fibrillation, is a suspected alternative cause of CRAO.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if atrial fibrillation is an independent risk factor for CRAO.
- To determine if oral anticoagulation modifies CRAO risk in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Main Methods:
- Observational, population-based study design.
- Cohort and case/control definition.
- Comorbidity ascertainment and statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- This section will present findings on the association between atrial fibrillation and CRAO risk.
- It will also report on the impact of oral anticoagulation on CRAO incidence in affected patients.
Conclusions:
- Confirming atrial fibrillation as an independent CRAO risk factor.
- Establishing the potential protective effect of oral anticoagulation against CRAO.
Abstract:
Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO; retinal stroke or eye stroke) is an under-recognized, disabling form of acute ischemic stroke which causes severe visual loss in one eye. The classical risk factor for CRAO is ipsilateral carotid stenosis; however, nearly half of patients with CRAO do not have high-grade carotid stenosis, suggesting that other cardiovascular risk factors may exist for CRAO. Specifically, prior studies have suggested that cardioembolism, driven by underlying atrial fibrillation, may predispose patients to CRAO. We describe the design of an observational, population-based study in this protocol. We evaluate two specific objectives: 1) To determine if atrial fibrillation is an independent risk factor for CRAO after adjusting for medical and cardiovascular risk; 2) To determine if use of oral anticoagulation can modify the risk of CRAO for patients with atrial fibrillation. This protocol lays out our strategy for cohort definition, case and control definition, comorbidity ascertainment, and statistical methods.
More Related Videos
28:13Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
08:10Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
01:27Diabetic Retinopathy