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A Murine Model of Ischemic Retinal Injury Induced by Transient Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Occlusion
Published on: November 12, 2020
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CHOROIDAL ISCHEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH CATASTROPHIC ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME: A CASE SERIES
Melvin Gerardy1, Alain Gaudric2, Pierre Duraffour1
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Paris Cité, OphtalmoPôle, Cochin Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France.
Retinal Cases & Brief Reports
|June 30, 2025
Summary
Acute choroidal ischemia in pregnant women with catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) presents with specific retinal findings. Early recognition and prompt treatment lead to full recovery, highlighting the importance of ophthalmologic evaluation in suspected CAPS cases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Rheumatology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a rare, life-threatening condition characterized by widespread thrombotic events.
- Ocular manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome can be diverse, but acute choroidal ischemia is less commonly reported.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe three cases of acute choroidal ischemia in pregnant patients diagnosed with CAPS.
- To highlight the characteristic retinal imaging findings associated with CAPS-related choroidal ischemia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical and imaging records of patients with CAPS.
- Retinal imaging included fundus photography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), fluorescein angiography (FA), and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA).
Main Results:
- Three pregnant women with CAPS presented with posterior ocular involvement affecting six eyes.
- SD-OCT showed multiple subretinal detachments.
- FA and ICGA revealed triangular non-perfused areas (Amalric triangular choroidal infarction) and subretinal leakage.
Conclusions:
- Acute choroidal ischemia in antiphospholipid syndrome warrants suspicion for CAPS, a critical condition.
- Prompt referral to a specialist and intensive care management (corticosteroids, anticoagulants, plasma exchange/IVIg) resulted in full recovery in all reported cases.
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