Objective To observe the ocular hemodynamic changes and flow direction of ophthalmic artery of patients with severe internal carotid stenosis (ICAS) and investigate the relationship between flow direction of ophthalmic artery and degree of stenosis. Methods Forty eyes of 40 patients with unilateral highgrade ICAS (29 eyes, 72.5%) and internal carotid artery occlusion (11 eyes, 27.5%) diagnosed by color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) were enrolled in this study. There were 14 eyes (35.0%) with obvious ocular signs of ischemia, 26 eyes (65.0%) without obvious signs of ocular ischemia. The peak systolic velocity (PSV) of central retinal artery (CRA) was measured. The flow direction of the ophthalmic artery was observed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The PSV of CRA in eyes with different flow directions in the ophthalmic artery was comparatively analyzed. The relationship between flow direction of the ophthalmic artery and degree of stenosis was also analyzed. Results The PSV of CRA in ICAS eyes was (6.59plusmn;1.49) cm/s, which was decreased compared to fellow eye (8.95plusmn;1.35) cm/s, the difference was statistically significant (t=-7.24,P＜0.01). The PSV of CRA in eyes with signs of obvious ocular ischemia was (5.84plusmn;1.42) cm/s, which was decreased compared to eyes without signs of obvious ocular ischemia (7.00plusmn;1.39) cm/s, the difference was statistically significant (t=-2.49,P＜0.05). There were 15 eyes (37.5%) with retrograde flow in the ophthalmic artery, 25 eyes (62.5%) with forward flow of ophthalmic artery. The PSV of CRA in eyes with retrograde flow and forward flow of ophthalmic artery were (6.96plusmn;2.09), (7.01plusmn;1.42) cm/s, the difference was not statistically significant (t=-0.09，P＞0.05). Among 15 eyes with retrograde flow of ophthalmic artery, there were five eyes (33.3%) with unilateral high-grade ICAS, 10 eyes (66.7%) with internal carotid artery occlusion. The incidence rate of retrograde flow in the ophthalmic artery in eyes with internal carotid artery occlusion was higher than that in eyes with unilateral high-grade ICAS (P＜0.01). Conclusions The PSV of CRA in eyes with severe ICAS decreased compared to fellow eyes. The PSV of CRA in eyes with signs of obvious ocular ischemia also decreased compared to eyes without obvious signs of ocular ischemia. With the increase of the degree of the internal carotid artery stenosis, the incidence of retrograde flow of ophthalmic artery increased.
Objective To observe the clinical characteristics and therapeutic effects of carotid artery stenosisrelated ocular ischemic appearance(OIA).Methods The clinical data of 210 patients of carotid artery stenosis (81 of them with OIA) were retrospectively reviewed. They were diagnosed by color doppler image（CDI）or digital subtraction angiography (DSA),and had undergone medicine,carotid artery stenting (CAS)and carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Of 81 patients with OIA,49 patients (60.49%) with OIA only, 32 patients（39.51%）with ocular ischemic disease (OID).24/32 OID patients received ophthalmic treatment such as retinal laser photocoagulation and anti glaucoma therapy (drugs and cyclocryotherapy). Results The ocular manifestations of 81 OIA patients included transient amaurosis in 38 cases (47.14%),flash before the eye in 30 cases (36.67%), periorbital swelling and pain in 28 cases (34.57%), diplopia in 11 cases (13.58%) and vision loss in 9 cases (11.11%). The ocular manifestations of 32 OID patients included ischemic optic neuropathy in 9 cases (28.13%), ocular ischemic syndrome in 6 cases (18.75%), central or branch retinal artery occlusion in 6 cases (18.75%), retinal hemorrhage in 5 patients (15.62%)，extraocular muscle paralysis in 4 patients (12.50%) and neovascular glaucoma in 2 patients (6.25%). The higher the degree of carotid stenosis,the higher incidence of ocular ischemic disease,there was highly positive correlation between each other (R=0.837, P＜0.05).The total effective rate of carotid artery stenting and carotid endarterectomy was significantly higher than drug treatment alone (t=2.73, 3.14; P＜0.01). Conclusion The ocular manifestations of carotid stenosis related ocular ischemic appearance can be transient amaurosis, eyes flashing,eye redness,periorbital pain, diplopia and decreased visual acuity.The ocular manifestations of carotid stenosisrelated ocular ischemic disease can be ischemic optic neuropathy, ocular ischemic symptoms, central or branch retinal artery occlusion and neovascular Carotid artery stenting and carotid endarterectomy are more effective than drug treatment alone for those patients.
ObjectiveTo observe the prevalence of ocular ischemic appearance (OIA) associated with carotid artery stenosis, and to explore the correlation between the ocular ischemic appearance and the carotid stenosis degree and location. MethodsA total of 132 patients with carotid artery stenosis diagnosed by color Doppler ultrasound and CT angiography were enrolled in this prospective study. The carotid stenosis degree and location were identified. The ophthalmic symptoms was inquired. The corrected vision, diopter, intraocular pressure, slit lamp microscope and fundus examination were used to determine if OIA exists. The correlation between the OIA and the carotid stenosis degree and location were analyzed. The carotid stenosis degree was divided into 4 types: mild (≤50%), moderate (<50% but ≤75%), severe (<75% but ≤99%) and occlusion (100%). ResultsThe distribution of carotid stenosis degree as follow: mild in 16 patients (12.1%), moderate in 46 patients (34.8%), severe in 50 patients (37.9%) and occlusion in 20 patients (15.2%). The stenosis located in the external carotid artery in 21 patients (15.9%), in internal carotid artery in 46 patients (34.8%), in crotch of extracranial internal carotid artery in 55 patients (41.7%), and in common carotid artery in 10 patients (7.6%). There were 54 patients (40.9%) with ocular ischemic diseases, which including retinal arterial obstruction (5 patients, 9.2%), retina change of venous stasis (13 patients, 24.1%), neovascular glaucoma (7 patients, 13.0%), ischemic optic neuropathy (19 patients, 35.2%), ocular ischemia syndrome (10 patients, 18.5%). The ophthalmic symptoms included transient amaurosis, decreased visual acuity, eye and periorbital pain, retinal hemorrhage and exudation, diplopia, rubeosis iridis and increased intraocular pressure. There was highly positive correlation between the carotid stenosis degree and OIA (r=0.287, P=0.018). There was no correlation between the carotid stenosis location and OIA (P>0.05). Conclusion40.9% carotid stenosis patients has OIA. There is relationship between the carotid stenosis degree and OIA, but carotid stenosis location showed no correlation with OIA.
ObjectiveTo observe ocular ischemic appearance (OIA) associated with carotid artery stenosis and its effects on the hemodynamics of central retinal artery (CRA) and ophthalmic artery (OA). MethodsA total of 30 normal persons and 60 patients with carotid artery stenosis diagnosed by color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were enrolled in this prospective study.Sixty patients were randomly divided into 2 groups:30 patients with the carotid artery stenosis degree < 60% and 30 cases with the carotid artery stenosis degree≥60%. Thirty normal persons were enrolled in the normal control group. All patients underwent a comprehensive eye examination to determine if OIA exists. The Doppler spectral patterns of CRA and OA were observed by CDFI. The peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), blood vessel diameter (BVD) and resistance index (RI) of CRA and OA were measured. ResultsIn the group of the carotid artery stenosis degree≥60%, 24/30 patients (80.0%) had the ophthalmic symptoms and 9/30 patients (30.0%) had ophthalmic signs. In the group of the carotid artery stenosis degree < 60%, 9/30 patients (30.0%) had the ophthalmic symptoms and 3/30 patients (10.0%) had ophthalmic signs. For patients with≥60% stenosis, CDFI revealed a bread-like waveform of CRA, and single peak of OA instead of the typical 3-peak/2-notch waveform. For patients with < 60% stenosis, CDFI revealed a normal pattern of CRA and OA (3-peak/2-notch). The PSV(t=5.255, P=0.007) and EDV(t=4.949, P=0.005) of CRA in the stenosis≥60% group were statistically decreased compared to the normal control group, but the BVD(t=0.457, P > 0.05)and RI(t=0.213, P > 0.05)were normal. The PSV, EDV, BVD and RI of CRA in the stenosis < 60% group were normal(P > 0.05). The PSV(t=4.457, P=0.010)and EDV(t=4.588, P=0.009)of CRA in the stenosis≥60% group were statistically decreased compared to the stenosis < 60% group, but the BVD and RI were the same between these 2 groups. ConclusionPatients with carotid stenosis≥60% had a higher OIA incidence, reduced PSV, EDV of their CRA, while had no significant changes of OA hemodynamics.
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between retinal vessel diameters and cerebral infarction of carotid artery stenosis patients. MethodsEighty-seven patients (174 eyes) with carotid stenosis were included in this study. There were 49 males and 38 females, with an average age of (65.25±7.85) years. Thirty-four patients were suffered from cerebral infarction (cerebral infarction group), and the other 53 patients had no cerebral infarction (control group). There was no significant difference in age (t=1.916), male rate (χ2=0.142) and carotid stenosis extent (χ2=0.785) between the two groups (P=0.059, 0.706, 0.675). All patients underwent color fundus photography after mydriasis. Retinal vascular caliber measurements were performed using IVAN software. The main parameters were central retinal artery diameter (central retinal artery equivalent, CRAE), the diameter of the central retinal vein (central retinal vein equivalent, CRVE) and the retinal arteriole to venular ratio (AVR). The relationship between retinal vessel diameter and cerebral vascular disease were analyzed with logistic regression analysis. ResultsIn cerebral infarction group, CRVE, CRAE and AVR ratios were (132.90±20.67) μm, (243.47±43.92) μm and 0.56±0.10, while the control group was (145.26±21.59) μm, (224.99±32.35) μm and 0.68±0.13 respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups (t=-2.648, 2.257, -4.631; P < 0.05). After correction for risk factors, such as age, smoking history, CRAE reduction and CRVE increases were significantly correlated with cerebral infarction. ConclusionCRAE reduction and CRVE increases are risk factors of cerebral infarction in patients with carotid stenosis, and it is useful in the prediction.