Central retinal artery occlusion following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for aortic stenosis: a case report.

backgroundTranscatheter aortic valve implantation is the standard treatment for high-risk elderly patients suffering from symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. While this procedure is significantly less invasive compared to traditional methods, there are concerns regarding the potential risk of cerebrovascular accidents and ocular complications. We report a case of monocular central retinal artery occlusion that occurred following transcatheter aortic valve implantation due to aortic stenosis. The occurrence of central retinal artery occlusion post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation has not previously been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 78-year-old male presented with a sudden, painless loss of vision in the left eye immediately after undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Fundus examination revealed moderate optic disc edema, mild venous tortuosity and diffuse retinal pallor at the posterior pole, most marked in the perimacular region and extending along the major vascular arcades into the mid-peripheral retina, with a cherry-red spot at the fovea. Optical coherence tomography indicated signs of retinal ischemia. The patient was referred to the emergency department for further assessment.

conclusionsAlthough there is evidence of embolization occurring after TAVI, this is the first case of central retinal artery occlusion that has been reported. Our findings underscore the need for thorough pre-TAVI counseling, increased neurologist awareness of this complication, and prompt ophthalmologic evaluation in cases of sudden monocular visual loss.