Transient visual disturbance during cardiac catheterization with angiography.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Cardiac catheterization and angiography are common procedures.
• Visual disturbances are a potential, though infrequently reported, complication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively investigate the incidence and characteristics of visual disturbances following cardiac catheterization with angiography.
• To identify patient subgroups at higher risk for these events.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 2,006 consecutive adult patients undergoing cardiac catheterization with angiography.
• Data collection on occurrence of visual disturbances, patient demographics, medical history, and neurological findings.
• Follow-up to assess recovery time and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Overall incidence of visual disturbances was 1.0%; complete blindness occurred in 0.2%.
• Women (2.0%) and patients with angina and normal coronary arteries (3.7%) showed significantly higher incidence.
• Thirteen of twenty patients experienced mental confusion; 8 of 13 had abnormal electroencephalograms. All recovered within 24 hours.

Conclusions:

• The incidence of visual disturbances post-cardiac catheterization is higher than previously reported.
• These visual disturbances are transient and have a benign clinical course.
• Risk factors include female sex and specific cardiac conditions, warranting further investigation.