Atherosclerotic and thrombophilic risk factors in patients with ischemic central retinal vein occlusion

Purpose: To investigate atherosclerotic and thrombophilic risk factors in patients affected by acute ischemic and nonischemic central retinal vein occlusions (CRVOs). Methods: One hundred and three patients with acute unilateral CRVO (41 ischemic and 62 nonischemic) were studied. The frequency of traditional cardiovascular risk factors was assessed, and the plasma levels of a variety of thrombophilic markers were measured. Univariate logistic regression was performed to determine risk factors for ischemic CRVO. Results: Arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, postmethionine hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), elevated factor VIII, and reduced folic acid and B6 plasma levels were more frequent in patients with ischemic CRVO than in those with nonischemic CRVO (P = 0.030, P = 0.025, P = 0.011, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.044, respectively). Risk factors for ischemic CRVO were arterial hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 3.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-9.21; P = 0.037), hypercholesterolemia (OR, 3.03; 95% CI, 1.06-8.65; P = 0.042), reduced folic acid levels (OR, 6.77; 95% CI, 1.59-28.79; P = 0.011), and elevated FVIII levels (OR, 6.17; 95% CI, 2.56-14.82; P < 0.001). Postmethionine HHcy was associated with low folic acid levels (r = -0.413; P = 0.007; OR, 9.33; 95% CI, 2.06-42.18; P = 0.005). Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that some atherosclerotic and thrombophilic risk factors may increase the risk of having an ischemic form of CRVO.