Effect of PCI on ophthalmic artery hemodynamics in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Purpose: We aimed to explore the effects of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the ophthalmic artery (OA) hemodynamics in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: A total of 73 participants (Group0: healthy controls, Group1: Patients with ACS underwent PCI < 3 months, Group2: Patients with ACS underwent PCI ≥ 3 months) were enrolled. Computed tomographic angiography images were used to construct three-dimensional models of participants' OAs. Numerical simulations based on computational fluid dynamics were used to acquire hemodynamic parameters.

Results: The angle between the OA and internal carotid artery in Group2 was significantly larger compared with Group0 and Group1 ( = 0.003 and = 0.044). Hemodynamic simulation showed a significantly slower OA blood velocity in Group1 than in the control ( < 0.001) and Group2 ( = 0.033). Lower wall shear stress was found in Group1 than that in control ( = 0.040). Patients after PCI had a higher wall pressure than healthy controls ( = 0.012 and = 0.004). Mass flow ratios were decreased in Group1 and Group2 ( = 0.021 and = 0.002). The hemodynamic parameters of OA were correlated with several clinical indicators.

Conclusions: The OA blood flow velocity of patients with ACS after PCI initially slowed down, which increased the risk of plaque formation, and then showed an increasing trend. There was a correlation between OA hemodynamic parameters and clinical indexes related to cardiac stress. Ischemia-reperfusion injury and changes in blood flow status after PCI may affect OA morphology and hemodynamics, leading to ocular lesions.

Trial Registration: ChiCTR2100050428.