A case of sudden-onset painless unilateral vision loss postintravenous streptokinase in a patient of acute inferior-wall myocardial infarction

Monika Bhandari; Pravesh Vishwakarma; Akshyaya Pradhan; Rishi Sethi; Prachi Sharma

doi:10.4103/heartindia.heartindia_20_18

CASE REPORT

Year : 2018 | Volume : 6 | Issue : 4 | Page : 160-161

A case of sudden-onset painless unilateral vision loss postintravenous streptokinase in a patient of acute inferior-wall myocardial infarction

Monika Bhandari, Pravesh Vishwakarma, Akshyaya Pradhan, Rishi Sethi, Prachi Sharma
Department of Cardiology, K.G.M.U, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

Date of Web Publication

17-Dec-2018

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Akshyaya Pradhan
Department of Cardiology, K.G.M.U, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
India

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

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DOI: 10.4103/heartindia.heartindia_20_18

Abstract

Coronary thrombolysis with intravenous (IV) streptokinase is widely used as a strategy for coronary reperfusion for acute myocardial infarction (MI). Systemic administration of fibrinolytic agents is associated with hemorrhagic risks such as cerebral hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding, cardiogenic shock, and unusual complications such as splenic rupture, aortic dissection, and cholesterol embolization. Herein, we report a case of intraocular hemorrhage 1 day after the IV administration of streptokinase for acute inferior-wall MI.

Keywords: Acute myocardial infarction, thrombolysis, vitreous hemorrhage

How to cite this article:
Bhandari M, Vishwakarma P, Pradhan A, Sethi R, Sharma P. A case of sudden-onset painless unilateral vision loss postintravenous streptokinase in a patient of acute inferior-wall myocardial infarction. Heart India 2018;6:160-1

How to cite this URL:
Bhandari M, Vishwakarma P, Pradhan A, Sethi R, Sharma P. A case of sudden-onset painless unilateral vision loss postintravenous streptokinase in a patient of acute inferior-wall myocardial infarction. Heart India [serial online] 2018 [cited 2023 Jun 2];6:160-1. Available from: https://www.heartindia.net/text.asp?2018/6/4/160/247568

Introduction

Intravenous (IV) streptokinase is one of the oldest fibrinolytic agents used in acute myocardial infarction (MI). Fibrinolytic agents are known to cause bleeding complications such as intracranial hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding, hematuria, and gum bleeding.^[1] However, intraocular hemorrhage is not widely seen, especially in patients without any predisposing risk factors such as macular degeneration.

Case Report

A 65-year-old female presented to our emergency department with complaints of chest pain. Her electrocardiogram showed acute inferior-wall MI [Figure 1]. As she was within the window period, she was thrombolyzed with IV streptokinase 1.5 million units over 60 min. The next morning, she complained of sudden-onset painless vision loss in her right eye. She was nondiabetic but had cataract in both eyes with good visual acuity.

Figure 1: Electrocardiogram suggestive of acute inferior-wall myocardial infarction

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On examination of the right eye, visual acuity was limited to finger counting. No red reflex was observed on fundoscopy, while examination of the left eye revealed normal findings [Figure 2]. There were no features of retinopathy. B-scan of the right eye showed echogenic foci suggestive of vitreous hemorrhage. B-scan of the left eye showed vitreous detachment [Figure 3]. The patient was managed conservatively and was referred to an ophthalmologist for further management.

Figure 2: Fundoscopy image showing loss of red reflex suggestive of vitreous hemorrhage. *loss of red reflex

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Figure 3: B-scan image showing vitreous hemorrhage in the right eye and vitreous detachment in the left eye. VH: Vitreous hemorrhage, VD: Vitreous detachment, RT: Right eye, LT: Left eye

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Discussion

Coronary thrombolysis with IV streptokinase is widely used as a strategy for coronary reperfusion for acute MI.^[2] Intraocular hemorrhage after thrombolytic therapy for acute MI is rare. Kaba et al.^[3] described the case of a 66-year-old male with acute inferior-wall MI who developed an extensive retinal and vitreous hemorrhage within a few hours following thrombolytic treatment with reteplase. Grekos and Schocken had also reported a case of bilateral vitreous hemorrhage following IV thrombolysis for acute MI.^[4]

Hypertension^[5] and exudative macular degeneration^[6] have also been reported as potential risk factors, but our patient did not have any of them. Our patient had vitreous detachment in the left eye which usually does not predispose to hemorrhage.

Although our patient had no systemic risk factors for bleeding complications and there was no retinopathy, she still developed a unilateral vitreous hemorrhage following administration of thrombolytic therapy.

Intraocular hemorrhage is a rare adverse effect of streptokinase, but this could be a sight-threatening complication of thrombolytic therapy and needs to be managed properly. The onset of eye pain or vision loss after the administration of a systemic thrombolytic agent should alert the physician to the possibility of an ocular hemorrhage. Early control of intraocular pressure (IOP) may prevent irreversible damage of the optic nerve and significantly improve the prognosis. In cardiac units, prompt medical control of IOP may play a key role in preserving ocular structures.

The potential benefits of systemic thrombolysis in the management of MI often outweigh the risks. While intraocular hemorrhagic complications are rare, any patient with a history of ophthalmic disease, such as age-related macular degeneration, should be advised specifically about the ocular risks of this treatment.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

References

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4.	Grekos ZG, Schocken DD. Bilateral vitreous hemorrhages as a consequence of thrombolytic therapy successfully treated with vitrectomy in a patient without diabetes. Am Heart J 1995;130:611-2.
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