Retinopathy after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stent insertion for acute myocardial infarction.

PURPOSE: To report microvascular retinopathy after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stent insertion for acute myocardial infarction. DESIGN: Observational case series. METHODS: Retrospective review of seven patients with a retinal microangiopathy following coronary catheterization, angioplasty, and stent placement. RESULTS: All patients had bilateral cotton-wool spots in peripapillary distribution; four also had retinal hemorrhages in both eyes. None complained of visual symptoms. Lesions resolved spontaneously within several months in six patients. CONCLUSION: Although angioplasty and stent placement are less invasive than cardiac surgery, they appear to cause a retinopathy similar to postpump retinopathy.