Response of Eye and Brain to Micro-emboli

Abstract

Certain features of carotid atherosclerosis that can be explained by embolization to eye and brain from atherosclerotic plaques are discussed. The response of eye and brain is hypothesized to depend upon the size and composition of the emboli. Since fibrin-plate let microemboli are assumed to be susceptible to lysis by plasmin, repeated functional loss of both organs can occur without structural damage. Lipid-debris micro-emboli cause small infarcts in both organs. A case is described with infarction of the retina associated with transient, contralateral neurological deficit terminated by anticoagulant therapy.