Title:The Impact of the Initial Admission Department on the Management and
Prognosis of Retinal Artery Occlusion
Volume: 19
Issue: 5
Author(s): Yanqin Liu, Shuju Dong, Yaxi Luo, Yanbo Li, Changling Li, Dong Zhou*Li He*
Affiliation:
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
Keywords:
Retinal artery occlusion, stroke, neurology, ophthalmology, management, visual prognosis, cardiovascular risk factors.
Abstract:
Background: Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is an emergency condition in both neurology and
ophthalmology departments. However, RAO's management and visual outcome in different initial departments
remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of the initial department on the management
and prognosis of RAO.
Methods: Consecutive cases of RAO between January 2011 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.
The neurology and ophthalmology departments compared the baseline characteristics, relevant evaluation,
and treatment. The primary outcome was the visual recovery rate. The secondary outcomes were newly
diagnosed cardiovascular factors, concurrent stroke and new-onset cardiovascular events.
Results: A total of 74 RAO patients were included. The median age was 54 years, and 67.6% were male. 42
(56.8%) patients were admitted to the neurology department and 32 (43.2%) to the ophthalmology department.
The visual recovery rate was higher in the neurology department than in the ophthalmology department,
although the difference did not reach statistical significance (27.8 vs. 12.5%, p = 0.120). Risk factor
evaluation and secondary prevention were taken more frequently in the neurology department (p < 0.001).
Cardiovascular risk factors and concurrent stroke were all discovered in the neurology department.
However, the incidence of new-onset cardiovascular events was similar between the two departments.
Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the visual prognosis of RAO was devastating regardless of the
neurology and ophthalmology department. Given the admission delay, inadequate management, and high
risk of cardiovascular risk factors and stroke, stroke centers should be recommended as initial admission
departments for RAO patients.
