Curr Neurovasc Res. 2022 Oct 27. doi: 10.2174/1567202620666221027091249. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is an emergency condition in both neurology and ophthalmology departments. However, the management and visual outcome of RAO in different initial departments remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of the initial department on the management and prognosis of RAO.
METHODS: Consecutive cases of RAO between January 2011 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The baseline characteristics, relevant evaluation, and treatment were compared between the neurology and ophthalmology departments. The primary outcome was the visual recovery rate. The secondary outcomes were newly diagnosed cardiovascular factors, concurrent stroke and new-onset cardiovascular events.
RESULTS: A total of 74 RAO patients were included. The median age was 54 years, and 67.6% were male. There were 42 (56.8%) patients admitted to the neurology department and 32 (43.2%) in the ophthalmology department. The visual recovery rate was higher in the neurology department than in the ophthalmology department, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (27.8 vs. 12.5%, p= 0.120). Risk factor evaluation and secondary prevention were taken more frequently in the neurology department (p < 0.001). Cardiovascular risk factors and concurrent stroke were all discovered in the neurology department. However, the incidence of new-onset cardiovascular events was similar between the two departments.
CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that the visual prognosis of RAO was devastating regardless of the neurology and ophthalmology department. Given the admission delay, inadequate management, and high risk of cardiovascular risk factors and stroke, stroke centers should be recommended as initial admission departments for RAO patients.
PMID:36305143 | DOI:10.2174/1567202620666221027091249
