Visible Emboli Research Articles

Multiple visible retinal emboli in branch retinal artery occlusion secondary to internal carotid artery occlusion.

Multiple visible retinal emboli in branch retinal artery occlusion secondary to internal carotid artery occlusion.

Pulmonary perfusion defect volume on dual-energy CT: prognostic marker of adverse events in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.

To assess whether quantification of pulmonary perfusion defects on dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) relates to adverse events beyond clinical parameters and traditional embolus detection in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). We included consecutive patients who underwent DECT to rule out acute PE in 2018-2020 and recorded incident adverse events, defined as a composite of short-term (< 30days) in-hospital all-cause mortality or admission to intensive care unit. Relative perfusion defect volume (PDV) was measured on DECT and indexed by total lung volume. PDV was then related to adverse events using logistic regressions adjusting for clinical parameters, clinical PE pre-test probability (Wells score), and visual PE burden on pulmonary angiography (Qanadli score). Among 136 included patients (63 [46%] females; age: 70 ± 14years), 19/136 (14%) experienced adverse events during a median hospitalization of 7.5 (4-14) days. Overall, 7/19 (37%) events occurred in those without visible emboli but with measurable perfusion defects. An increase of PDV by one standard deviation was associated with over two times higher odds of adverse events (OR = 2.24; 95%CI:1.37-3.65; p = 0.001). This association remained significant after adjusting for the Wells and Qanadli scores (OR = 2.34; 95%CI:1.20-4.60; p = 0.013). PDV significantly increased the combined discriminatory capacity of Wells and Qanadli scores (AUC 0.76 vs. 0.80; p = 0.011 for difference). DECT-derived PDV may represent a prognostic imaging marker with incremental value beyond clinical and traditional imaging findings, improving risk stratification and aiding clinical management in patients with suspected PE.

Contribution of Orbital Ultrasound to the Diagnosis of Central Retinal Artery Occlusion.

We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of orbital ultrasound in the etiologic diagnosis of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). For this purpose, patients with CRAO evaluated at our center between 2011 and 2021 were reviewed. Demographic variables, vascular risk factors and ultrasound findings were collected. An orbital duplex was performed in all cases and complemented with other diagnostic explorations. We attended 36 cases of CRAO. In all patients, orbital ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis of CRAO: in 75% emboli material (spot sign) was observed in CRA and in 25% flow alteration in CRA without visible embolus. The positive spot sign (PSS) group differed from patients with negative spot sign (NSS) in terms of etiology: 8 PSS cases (29.6%) had a major cardioembolic cause, 4 (14.8%) a large vessel atheromatous disease, 15 (55.6%) an undetermined cause. Some 21 (77.8%) PSS patients had some minor cardioembolic cause, mainly calcifications of the left valves. In the NSS group, 2 (22%) were diagnosed with giant cell arteritis (GCA). In CRAO, the ultrasound spot sign could be a guide for the detection of embolic sources. Its absence makes it necessary to consider more strongly the possibility of arteritis. Furthermore, our findings suggest a key role of calcium embolism in PSS patients.

Impacts on Thrombus and Chordae Willisii During Mechanical Thrombectomy in the Superior Sagittal Sinus.

The anatomical structures of the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) are usually damaged during mechanical thrombectomy (MT), and MT procedure could lead to new thrombosis in the sinuses. However, the mechanism remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the risks of embolism and assess the damage to chordae willisii (CW)-associated MT using a stent passing across the thrombus. A contrast-enhanced in vitro model was used to mimick MT in the SSS. The thrombus was removed with a stent. The emboli generated during the procedure were collected and measured. The residual thrombus area after the MT was measured by J Image software. The damage of CW was evaluated by an endoscope. Three procedural experiments were carried out on each cadaveric sample. The average numbers of visible emboli particles in experiments 1, 2, and 3 were 11.17 ± 2.17, 9.00 ± 2.07, and 5.00 ± 2.96, respectively. The number of large size particles produced by experiment 1 was significantly higher than that of the other experiments. The thrombus area measured after experiment 3 was larger than that of experiments 1 and 2. The number of minor damage cases to CW was 55 (90.16%), and there were six serious damage cases (9.84%). The use of stent resulted in no significant increase in damage to CW after the three experimental procedures. A large amount of thrombi particles was produced during MT, and multiple MT procedures on the same sample can increase residual thrombus area. Moreover, the stent caused minor damages to the CW in SSS.

Reperfusion of occluded branch retinal arteries by transluminal Nd:YAG laser embolysis combined with intravenous thrombolysis of urokinase.

Purpose: To report successful treatment with transluminal Nd:YAG laser embolysis (TYE) combined with urokinase thrombolysis for reperfusion of occluded branch retinal arteries with visible emboli.Methods: A total of 34 eyes from 34 patients with acute, severe vision loss secondary to a branch retinal artery occlusion with visible emboli and retinal whitening were examined. Each patient was administered TYE therapy, which focused on the embolus, using an ocular contact lens; a 0.3–0.9 mJ laser pulse was delivered directly and gradually according to the reaction. Fundus photographs and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) were obtained before and immediately after the laser treatment. All patients received urokinase thrombolysis therapy drops intravenously for 5 days at 10–20 u/d. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 14 months after therapy. The morphological characteristics of FFA associated with obstruction recovery of arterial fluorescence filling and visual function were analyzed.Results: After TYE therapy, FFA examinations showed that the retinal artery and its branches exhibited completely restored blood flow without obstruction in 13 eyes, accounting for 38.2% of the cases. The blood flow was mostly recovered in 11 eyes (32.4% of patients). FFA examinations following the combined intravenous urokinase thrombolysis therapy showed that the retinal artery and its branches exhibited completely restored blood flow after obstruction in 16 eyes (47.1% of patients). The blood flow was mostly recovered in 15 eyes (44.1% of patients).Conclusion: TYE combined with urokinase thrombolysis is effective for reperfusion of occluded branch retinal arteries and improving visual recovery in patients with visible emboli.

The Characteristics of Retinal Emboli and its Association With Vascular Reperfusion in Retinal Artery Occlusion.

To analyze the characteristics of retinal emboli and their association with vascular reperfusion in retinal artery occlusion (RAO). In this retrospective comparative case series, we analyzed emboli in patients with acute central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) or branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) and visible emboli, and analyzed vascular reperfusion in patients with visible emboli causing blockage of perfusion. The patients were divided into emboli "movement" and "no movement" groups and their vascular reperfusion states were compared. There were 52/248 (21%) eyes with RAO and visible retinal emboli (31/187 [17%] eyes with CRAO and 21/61 [34%] eyes with BRAO) showing various embolic features. Platelet-fibrin emboli were observed most commonly, and showed the earliest and highest rate of movement. In the movement group, which comprised platelet-fibrin (60%) and cholesterol (40%) emboli, early complete reperfusion was observed in 80% of eyes; however, 67% of eyes in the no movement group, comprising cholesterol (67%) and calcific (33%) emboli, showed late incomplete reperfusion. There were no cases of permanent vascular blockage. The mechanisms of vascular reperfusion could be summarized as complete degradation, peripheral migration, partial dislodgement, angiophagy, and collateral circulation. Retinal emboli in RAO patients have various characteristics that affect their movement. Movement of emboli may affect vascular reperfusion. Various mechanisms are associated with vascular reperfusion, including in cases without movement of emboli. These mechanisms may apply to cerebrovascular occlusion and stroke in general.

Branch retinal artery occlusion in a patient with one eye. Laser Nd:YAG approach

Clinical caseAn 82-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department complaining of a sudden painless visual loss in his left eye (OS). He was diagnosed with branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) with a visible embolus. In 2012, he had a central artery occlusion (CRAO) in his right eye (OD). An embolysis with Nd:YAG laser was attempted, the retinal arterial blood flow was restored completely and the visual field was improved, with no secondary complications. ConclusionsNd:YAG laser embolysis is a treatment to be considered in patients with BRAO with a visible embolus. The risks and benefits of the procedure should be evaluated, comparing it with possible permanent loss of visual acuity and other vascular complications caused by BRAO.

Oclusión de rama arterial retiniana en un paciente con ojo único. Abordaje mediante láser Nd:YAG

Clinical caseAn 82-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department complaining of a sudden painless visual loss in his left eye (OS). He was diagnosed with branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) with a visible embolus. In 2012, he had a central artery occlusion (CRAO) in his right eye (OD). An embolysis with Nd:YAG laser was attempted, the retinal arterial blood flow was restored completely and the visual field was improved, with no secondary complications. ConclusionsNd:YAG laser embolysis is a treatment to be considered in patients with BRAO with a visible embolus. The risks and benefits of the procedure should be evaluated, comparing it with possible permanent loss of visual acuity and other vascular complications caused by BRAO.

Embolic Central Retinal Artery Occlusion Detected with Point-of-care Ultrasonography in the Emergency Department

BackgroundOcular emergencies account for 2–3% of all emergency department (ED) visits. Sonographic evaluation of the eye offers a very useful diagnostic tool in the ED. In the ED setting, ocular ultrasound could identify a retinal detachment, or a massive vitreous hemorrhage, and the training for emergency medicine practitioners is quite easy. Case ReportAn 84-year-old woman presented to our ED with a painless acute vision loss in her right eye. Immediate bedside emergency ocular ultrasound was performed, and it showed a retrobulbar hyperechoic material, suggestive of an embolus within the central retinal artery. Fluorescein angiography showed limited and sluggish filling of the retinal arteries after injection of fluorescein, and optical coherence tomography demonstrated a decrease in the reflectivity and thickness of the inner retinal layers. The final diagnosis was embolic central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?Among the causes of acute loss of vision, CRAO is associated with systemic vascular disease. The importance of visible retinal emboli has been well documented due to its association with increase in mortality. A rapid evaluation of the central retinal artery could be a simple tool to identify an embolus, and this could lead to a rapid treatment. The evaluation of central retinal artery is a less defined setting in emergency physician bedside ultrasound, but the identification of CRAO could lead to a rapid acceleration in diagnosis and treatment of a potentially life-threatening disease.

Update on Pharmacologic Retinal Vascular Toxicity.

Several medications are associated with retinal vascular toxicity. These include intraocular aminoglycosides, oral contraceptives, interferon alpha, several other agents, and talc, which occurs as a vehicle in some oral medications that may be abused intravenously. As a group, these entities represent a small but clinically relevant category of retinal toxicity from medications. Some of the manifestations (e.g., retinal vascular occlusion) are nonspecific, but others are more specific, including clinically visible talc emboli in retinal vessels. Toxicity may be asymptomatic or may cause irreversible visual loss. By maintaining a high index of suspicion, the correct diagnosis can usually be made.

Treatment of Acute Central Retinal Artery Occlusion with Ocular Ischemic Syndrome

Purpose: We report a case of treatment of acute central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) with ocular ischemic syndrome (OIS). Case summary: A 72-year-old man presented with acute loss of vision in the right eye on that day. At initial examination, visual acuity tested positive for light sensitivity in the right eye. Fundus examination demonstrated a visible embolus at the central retinal artery overlying the optic disc head and a cherry-red spot in the fovea. Fluorescein angiography revealed that filling of the choroidal circulation was delayed, and the arteriovenous transit time was even further delayed. Carotid angiography showed marked stenosis within the right internal carotid artery. Laboratory tests included blood tests for hypercoagulability evaluation, for which the results were non-specific. To treat acute CRAO with OIS in the right eye, transluminal Nd:YAG laser embolectomy (TYE) was performed twice, and carotid angioplasty with stenting was conducted within the stenosed internal carotid artery. One month after the TYE procedure and carotid stenting, the patient’s visual acuity improved to 0.06 and the arteriovenous transit time was within normal limits on fluorescein angiography. Conclusions: The visual prognosis in eyes with CRAO plus an associated choroidal circulatory disturbance is extremely poor. However, we experienced and reported a case of CRAO with OIS treated successfully through a prompt TYE procedure and carotid angioplasty with stenting. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2014;55(8):1242-1247

Ophthalmologists saving life of a young patient presenting with sudden simultaneous bilateral retinal artery occlusions secondary to calcific emboli of cardiac origin

We present a case report of a young 35-year-old previously healthy male with simultaneous central retinal artery occlusion in the right eye and branch retinal artery occlusion in the left eye with visible calcific emboli in both eyes from calcified mitral valve diagnosed on trans-esophageal echocardiography. Patient underwent an urgent life-saving mitral valve replacement surgery within 2 days as Ophthalmologists immediately referred him to Cardiologist moment they visualized calcific emboli in both eyes with bilateral retinal artery occlusions on fundoscopy. Bilateral retinal artery occlusions suggest a source of emboli at the level of the heart or aortic arch. All patients with retinal ischemia should have a complete cardiovascular evaluation supplemented by Transesophageal echocardiography. Many times an Ophthalmologist might be the physician of first contact for patients with cardiac diseases and awareness of the disease is therefore important for all Ophthalmologists. Timely referral and management by Cardiologist/cardiac surgeon may protect patient against serious life-threatening complications.

Branch retinal artery occlusion after internal carotid artery angioplasty and stenting.

A 67-year-old man with an embolic branch retinal artery occlusion occurring as a complication of internal carotid artery stenting, despite the use of a distal filter cerebral protection device was reported. Observational case report. One patient case is included in this case report. The patient developed a branch retinal arterial occlusion with visible emboli 24 hours after a carotid angioplasty and stenting procedure and was found to have multiple anastomoses between the external carotid artery and ophthalmic artery as a result of carotid stenosis. He required a second, emergent angioplastic procedure. External carotid-ophthalmic arterial anastomoses can act as a pathway for emboli to travel from the internal carotid artery to the retinal circulation, resulting in retinal arterial occlusions, despite the use of cerebral protective devices. Ophthalmologists and interventional radiologists should be aware of these factors, especially as the number of percutaneous carotid artery stenting procedures continues to increase.

Ophthalmic Artery Obstruction and Cerebral Infarction Following Periocular Injection of Autologous Fat

We report a case of ophthalmic artery obstruction combined with brain infarction following periocular autologous fat injection. The patient, a 44-year-old woman, visited our hospital for decreased visual acuity in her left eye and dysarthria one hour after receiving an autologous fat injection in the periocular area. Her best corrected visual acuity for the concerned eye was no light perception. Also, a relative afferent pupillary defect was detected in this eye. The left fundus exhibited widespread retinal whitening with visible emboli in several retinal arterioles. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed a hyperintense lesion at the left insular cortex. Therefore, we diagnosed ophthalmic artery obstruction and left middle cerebral artery infarction due to fat emboli. The patient was managed with immediate ocular massage, carbon dioxide, and oxygen therapy. Following treatment, dysarthria improved considerably but there was no improvement in visual acuity.

Bilateral internal carotid artery and vertebral artery dissections with retinal artery occlusion after a roller coaster ride - case report and a review

We present the first case of a woman with no significant medical history who developed dissections of bilateral carotid and bilateral vertebral arteries, as well as a retinal artery occlusion, after a roller coaster ride. A 35-year-old woman developed right-sided neck pain followed by a frontal headache immediately after a roller coaster ride. Five days after the incident, she developed complete loss of vision in her right eye for two hours. Subsequently, the vision improved but remained significantly decreased. On presentation, her visual acuity was 20/200 in the right and 20/20 in the left eye. Her fundus exam revealed retinal edema in the superotemporal retinal artery distribution without any visible emboli. Her neurological exam was otherwise normal. The cerebral angiogram showed bilateral internal carotid and vertebral artery dissections. The patient remained stable with conservative therapy without further worsening of vision or any new neurological deficits. Outcomes for cervicocephalic arterial dissection are usually favorable, but early diagnosis is critical for initiation of appropriate treatment of possible complications. Physicians must have a high index of suspicion for arterial dissection when patients note any headache, neck pain or vertigo triggered by violent motion after leisure activities such as roller coaster rides.

Embolectomy for branch retinal arterial occlusion.

To report one surgeon's experience in treating a case of branch retinal artery occlusion with pars plana vitrectomy and surgical removal of the etiologic retinal arterial embolus. Single case presentation of pre- and postoperative visual acuity data, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography studies of one eye undergoing pars plana vitrectomy and retinal arterial embolectomy. Attempted embolectomy was unsuccessful in removing the retinal arterial embolus. Intraoperatively, the embolus traveled retrograde back into the central retinal artery when the infusion bottle was raised to maximum height. On postoperative Day 1, the embolus had returned to its preoperative position. However, postoperative arterial perfusion improved, as evidenced by fluorescein angiography, and macular edema was improved on the first postoperative day, as documented on optical coherence tomography. Visual acuity improved from 20/80 preoperatively to 20/32 at 1 month and to 20/20 at 9 months postoperatively, even though the affected retinal tissue had markedly thinned. This single case illustrates our experience with the vitreous surgical techniques of embolus extraction in an eye with a branch retinal artery occlusion and an ophthalmoscopically visible embolus.

Laserembolektomie bei Zentralarterienverschluss

We describe a case of successful Nd:YAG laser embolectomy in a patient with occlusions of the retinal artery affecting the macula and reducing visual acuity. The treatment can only be recommended in cases with a visible embolus and short duration of symptoms.

Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Case Report and Update on a Newly Available Treatment Option

To evaluate the visual prognosis in eyes with branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO).Retrospective, observational, consecutive case series.Retrospective medical record review of 52 consecutive eyes of 52 patients with BRAO seen at two vitreoretinal practices in Birmingham, Alabama. Only eyes with decreased central macular perfusion on fluorescein angiography (FA) were included. Eyes with anterior segment or optic nerve disease, lack of retinal whitening or a delay in arterial filling on FA, central retinal artery occlusion, and cilioretinal artery occlusion were excluded. The main outcome measure was presenting best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and its relationship to final BCVA.On presentation, 54% of eyes with BRAO had BCVA of 20/40 or better. At the mean 14-month visit, 60% of all eyes had visual acuity (VA) of 20/40 or better. VAs of 20/40 or better were retained by 89% of eyes with baseline BCVA of 20/40 or better. Only 14% of eyes with 20/100 or worse BCVA improved to 20/40 or better. Neither visible emboli (P ≥ .244) nor the region of macular involvement (P = .142) were significant with respect to visual improvement.Visual prognosis after BRAO seems to be correlated to presenting VA. Eyes with initial VA of 20/40 or better usually remained at 20/40 or better. Individuals with poor VA of 20/100 or worse generally did not show the significant improvement reported in previous studies.

Treatment of Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion With Transluminal Nd:YAG Laser Embolysis

The purpose of this paper was to report a successful treatment of transluminal Nd:YAG laser embolysis (NYE) for branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) with visible emboli. Two patients with acute, severe vision loss secondary to a branch retinal artery occlusion with visible emboli in one eye underwent NYE. A complete ocular examination was performed which included biomicroscopy of the posterior pole of the retina, intraocular pressure measurement, fundus color photographs, and fluorescein angiography (FA). After the NYE, the two patients showed dramatic improvements in best-corrected visual acuity, as well as, immediate and dramatic restorations in flow past the obstructed arteriole in FA. NYE is a treatment modality to be considered in patients with BRAO who present acutely with severe vision loss and a visible embolus.

Thrombus Embolization Into IVC Filters During Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis for Proximal Deep Venous Thrombosis

To assess the frequency of embolization into retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters during catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) and stent placement for acute iliocaval deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Serial phlebograms from 40 patients (28 women; median age 32 years) consecutively treated with CDT for DVT during a 12-year period were retrospectively evaluated for visible emboli in the IVC filter. Clinical and procedural data extracted from a prospectively maintained database were evaluated to identify predictors for embolization into the filter. Visible emboli were found in 18 (45%) patients. Visible embolization to the IVC filter was less frequent in patients with a hypercoagulable disorder (n = 29, 31%) than in patients without a hypercoagulable disorder (n = 11, 69%; OR 0.1, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.56, p = 0.006). No patient developed clinical symptomatic pulmonary embolism or a complication related to the placement or retrieval of the IVC filter. Thrombus embolization during CDT is a common phenomenon in patients with proximal DVT. Placement of a retrievable IVC filter during thrombolytic therapy can prevent silent and symptomatic pulmonary embolism.