Corneal arcus: an indicator of severe coronary artery disease in a young adult man.

Abstract

A 32-year-old man was transferred to our emergency service with the diagnosis of sudden cardiopulmonary arrest. During eye examination, a typical corneal arcus was observed. The patient underwent the primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Coronary angiography showed a total occlusion of proximal left anterior descending artery. Primary coronary balloon angioplasty was successfully performed. Independently of total cholesterol, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and smoking, corneal arcus has been suggested as a predictor of coronary heart disease among hyperlipidemic men. Physical examination can yield valuable diagnostic clues in a patient suspected of ischaemic heart disease. In summary, the appearance of corneal arcus in young adult men might be an indicator of severe coronary artery disease and should be screened by means of physical examination especially in the setting of cardiopulmonary arrest (Fig. 1, Ref. 4).

• Authors: Murat Sucu, Vedat Davutoglu
• Journal: Bratislavske lekarske listy (Bratisl Lek Listy) Vol. 110 Issue 12 Pg. 795 ( 2009) ISSN: 0006-9248 [Print] Slovakia
• PMID: 20196475 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Arcus Senilis (complications)
• Coronary Artery Disease (complications, diagnosis)
• Heart Arrest (etiology)
• Humans
• Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II (complications, diagnosis)
• Male