An uncommon complication after a common procedure

J Invasive Cardiol. 2008 Oct;20(10):E301-3.

Abstract

A 50-year-old female developed cortical blindness 5 hours after coronary angiography. A non-contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scan of the brain revealed bilateral occipital and middle cerebral/posterior cerebral artery watershed territory infarcts with a possibility of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed the above infarcts, but not SAH. The selective vulnerability of occipital lobes to contrast agent toxicity was postulated as the underlying mechanism. The patient had partial recovery of vision.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blindness, Cortical / etiology*
  • Coronary Angiography / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / diagnosis
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / etiology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Middle Aged
  • Middle Cerebral Artery / pathology*
  • Posterior Cerebral Artery / pathology*
  • Risk Factors