Intravenous digital subtraction angiography and its role in ocular vascular disease
T. R. Hedges Jr, O. L. Giliberti and L. E. Magargal
One hundred patients with ocular occlusive vascular disease were studied by
intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV DSA). In 17 patients with
transient monocular blindness, 65% showed ipsilateral carotid atheroma. The
degree of carotid stenosis was greater than 70% in eight of the 17
patients. Severe unilateral or bilateral stenosis was demonstrated in 70%
of ten patients with chronic retinal artery obstruction, ie, venous stasis
retinopathy or orbital hypoxia. An ipsilateral carotid artery source of
emboli or substantial degree of stenosis was documented in 50% of 48
patients with acute retinal artery obstruction. Little or no carotid
disease was found in 72% of 25 patients with retinal vein obstruction. The
greatest value of IV DSA is in the management of patients with transient
monocular blindness.
