Central retinal artery occlusion following transcatheter balloon aortic valvuloplasty in an adolescent with aortic valvular stenosis

Abstract

A 12-year-old girl with aortic valvular stenosis underwent transcatheter balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) using a femoral artery approach. Anticoagulation with heparin during the procedure was used. The patient noted sudden onset of concentric constriction of the visual field in the right eye 40 min after BAV. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and cervical ultrasound revealed no abnormality. Funduscopic examination showed white swelling around the macular region, indicating ischemia, consistent with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). CRAO should be recognized as a rare and serious complication associated with BAV even among the pediatric population. This requires careful evaluation of anticoagulation during the left heart procedures.