Introduction
Catheter ablation is an important therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF).1 Although there is abundant evidence that catheter ablation is superior to antiarrhythmic drugs, there is a small but definite probability of complications in the periprocedural period.1 Two of the major complications of AF ablation are stroke and other thromboembolic events. Previous studies have reported incidences of thromboembolism associated with AF ablation of 0%–7%.2
Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is an ophthalmic emergency because it causes sudden and severe visual loss.3Prompt treatment is needed because ischemic damage to the retina is irreversible from 4 h of onset.3
Embolism is the main cause of CRAO, and the main sources of embolism are the carotid artery and the heart.4 AF is known as a risk factor for retinal vessel occlusion,5 and some previous studies have reported on catheterization procedures as the cause of CRAO.6,7 However, no case reports are available on CRAO related to AF ablation.
We report a case of CRAO in the postprocedural period of AF ablation.