ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effects of super-selective arterial catheterization with thrombolysis for central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO).MethodsThe clinical data of 16 patients with CRAO were collected. Aortic arch angiography with the catheterization through femoral artery firstly, and then the selective internal carotid artery angiography had been performed on all of the patients, including 12 ones who had undergone the urokinase thrombolysis therapy.ResultsIn the 16 patients, 3 with the severe straitness of the internal carotid artery and 1 with occlusion of incision of the ocular artery had not been treated by thrombolysis; and the others with occlusion of arterial trunk and CRAO had undergone thrombolysis therapy successfully. After the treatment, the visual acuity of the patients had improved in different degree and no systemic side effect had been found during the treatment.ConclusionsSuper-selective arterial catheterization with thrombolysis for CRAO may improve the visual acuity of the patients. The effects and risks of this treatment should be evaluated in further study.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:20-21)
Objective To inspect the effects of recombinant staphylokinase (r-Sak) and the changes of fibrinolytic activity in the systemic circulation in the treatment of experimental central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). Methods The animal model of CRAO in 15 cats (30 eyes) was set up by laser irradiating a branch of central retinal artery after intravenous injection of 3% rose bengal,and then the arterial thrombi were dissolved by intravenous injection of r-Sak and urokinase (UK).The pat ency of the arteries was evaluated by FFA.Moreover,the changes of fibrinolitic activity in the blood were examined by phlebotomizing. Results The model of CRAO was successfully set up.Four hours after injection of thrombolysis drugs,the completely reopened proportion in r-Sak group was 100%,while in UK group the proportion was 60%.At the same time, no significant systemic fibinnolytic activation was observed in r-Sak group. Conclusions An experimental CRAO model,which has the similar pathological processes of occlusion of central retinal artery and intra arterial thrombosis as those in clinic,can be set up by using photochemical method,and r-rak is capable of lysing thrombus without significant activation of circulating plasminogen. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2000,16:71-138)
Embolus occlusion in the retinal artery is the most common cause of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), while hypertension is the most common risk factor of CRAO, and ipsilateral carotid artery stenosis is the most significant risk factor in CRAO. Current clinical treatments include conservative treatments such as dilation of blood vessels and lowering the intraocular pressure (IOP), as well as aggressive treatments like intravenous thrombolysis and Nd:YAG laser. Both thrombolysis and Nd:YAG laser treatment can improve the visual acuity of CRAO patients, but because of its lack of randomized controlled trials, further clinical studies are needed to determine their efficacy and safety. CRAO patients may have vascular embolism at other sites in the body, and may cause different degrees of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. The probability of secondary ocular neovascularization following the occurrence of these events is 2.5% to 31.6%. In addition to eye care, clinicians should also focus more on preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, and focus on the screening and active treatment of systemic risk factors to reduce the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.