A new form of retinopathy associated with myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract

Aim: To report a new form of retinopathy that was observed in patients who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Serial ophthalmological examinations were conducted in 40 patients who underwent PCI. Thirty patients were diagnosed with AMI, and another 10 had stable angina pectoris. Results: Cotton wool spots developed in 17 (57%) patients from the group with AMI undergoing PCI (n = 30) within 2 months. Of these, 41% (seven patients) also developed superficial haemorrhages. Retinopathy was most prominent 1-2 months after AMI and then tended to become quiescent afterwards, without treatment. Conclusion: We have identified a new form of retinopathy in patients with AMI that spontaneously subsides without treatment.