Transient cortical blindness: a benign but devastating complication after coronary angiography and graft study.

Abstract

Transient cortical blindness after coronary angiography and bypass graft is a very rare complication. In this report we present the case of a 63-year-old man who developed transient cortical blindness within 30 minutes of coronary angioplasty and graft study, but subsequently recovered within 72 hours without any neurological deficit. A plain computed tomography brain scan showed bilateral symmetrical subarachnoid hyperdensities in the posterior cerebral circulation area suspicious of subarachnoid bleed. However, magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography scans were normal. Excess contrast volume causing direct neurotoxicity seems to be the most probable cause, but the exact mechanism is unclear.

• Authors: Ganiga Srinivasaiah Sridhar, Muhammad Athar Sadiq, Wan Azman Wan Ahmad, Chitra Supuramaniam, Abdul Wahab Undok, Imran Zainal Abidin, Kok Han Chee
• Journal: JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association (J Pak Med Assoc) Vol. 64 Issue 10 Pg. 1195-7 (Oct 2014) ISSN: 0030-9982 [Print] Pakistan
• PMID: 25823165 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Contrast Media

Topics

• Angioplasty
• Blindness, Cortical (etiology)
• Contrast Media (adverse effects)
• Coronary Angiography (adverse effects)
• Coronary Artery Bypass
• Coronary Occlusion (diagnostic imaging, etiology, therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged