Transesophageal echocardiography for detection of cardiac diseases in patients with retinal artery occlusion

Objective We analyzed the usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography (T EE) for detection of cardiac diseases in patients with retinal artery occlu sion (RAO). Patients and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 22 consecuti ve patients with acute RAG. The patients had been evaluated by conventional studies, including transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and TEE. Results TEE findings were abnormal in 13 (59%) of the 22 patients. The find ings revealed a decrease of flow velocity in the left atrial appendage (n=7 ), atrial septal aneurysm (n=4), patent foramen ovale (n=2), spontaneous ec ho contrast (n=1), ascending aortic plaque (n=1) and left atrial thrombus ( n=1), Evaluations, including TEE, disclosed cardiac abnormalities in 16 (73 %) of these 22 patients. However, excluding the analysis by TEE, cardiac ab normalities were revealed in only 6 (27%) patients. Conclusion In patients with RAG, TEE may be a useful examination for detect ing potential cardiac diseases.