OUTCOME OF ENDOVASCULAR PROCEDURES ON OCULAR FINDINGS IN TAKAYASU ARTERITIS.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of endovascular procedures on ocular findings in patients with Takayasu arteritis.

METHODS: Retrospective study of patients who underwent percutaneous endovascular stenting of aortic arch arteries for Takayasu arteritis (TA) and who had documented retinopathy findings before and after the procedure. Change in visual acuity, regression of retinopathy, and development of complications after endovascular procedure were studied over a follow-up of 6 months.

RESULTS: Ten eyes of five patients were included. Eyes which had Stage II or less of retinopathy before the endovascular procedure had favorable outcome; however, those with advanced stage of retinopathy at presentation had poor outcomes. Patients who underwent revascularization of both-sided arteries within 1 month had better anatomical and functional outcomes as compared with those who underwent sequential endovascular procedures on their arteries after a gap of 3 months or more.

CONCLUSION: Percutaneous endovascular stenting of aortic arch arteries, affected in TA, can lead to reversal of retinopathy changes and restoration of vision if done before neovascular complications set in.