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Cloth-particle retinal emboli from artificial cardiac valves
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|June 1, 1980
Summary
Cloth-covered prosthetic mitral valves can cause retinal emboli, leading to vision loss. Valve replacement may resolve these ocular complications, even with anticoagulation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Mitral valve disease is a common cardiovascular condition.
- Prosthetic heart valves are frequently implanted to restore valve function.
- Cloth-covered prostheses are a type of cardiac valve replacement.
Observation:
- Two patients with prosthetic mitral valves experienced recurrent ocular complications.
- These complications included bilateral retinal embolization and vision loss.
- Symptoms appeared after implantation of cloth-covered mitral valve prostheses.
Findings:
- Retinal emboli originated from the cloth-covered mitral valve prostheses.
- Anticoagulation therapy did not prevent embolization in one patient.
- Valve replacement successfully ceased embolization in one patient.
Implications:
- Cloth-covered cardiac valve prostheses may be a source of retinal emboli.
- Ocular complaints in patients with these prostheses warrant thorough retinal examination.
- Valve dysfunction should be suspected if retinal emboli are present, potentially necessitating valve replacement.
