Retinopathy after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stent insertion for acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract

To report microvascular retinopathy after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stent insertion for acute myocardial infarction. Observational case series. Retrospective review of seven patients with a retinal microangiopathy following coronary catheterization, angioplasty, and stent placement. All patients had bilateral cotton-wool spots in peripapillary distribution; four also had retinal hemorrhages in both eyes. None complained of visual symptoms. Lesions resolved spontaneously within several months in six patients. Although angioplasty and stent placement are less invasive than cardiac surgery, they appear to cause a retinopathy similar to postpump retinopathy.