PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk factors for acute atherothrombotic events in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) without a history of coronary artery disease or stroke. METHODS: Two hundred fifty-nine patents with exudative AMD were evaluated for carotid atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). RESULTS: A mean intima-media thickness of ≥1.0 mm was found in 28.2% of patients; 8.9% of patients had severe carotid artery stenosis. The prevalence rates of severe atherosclerosis with a plaque score >10, peripheral arterial disease, and CKD were 16.6, 5.4, and 32%, respectively. Diabetes mellitus and AMD affecting eyes bilaterally were identified as risk factors for abnormal carotid artery thickening, and age and body mass index were identified as risk factors for CKD. CONCLUSION: The current study confirmed that potentially 30% of patients with exudative AMD without a history of coronary artery disease or stroke have a high risk of acute atherothrombotic events.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk factors for acute atherothrombotic events in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) without a history of coronary artery disease or stroke. METHODS: Two hundred fifty-nine patents with exudative AMD were evaluated for carotid atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). RESULTS: A mean intima-media thickness of ≥1.0 mm was found in 28.2% of patients; 8.9% of patients had severe carotid artery stenosis. The prevalence rates of severe atherosclerosis with a plaque score >10, peripheral arterial disease, and CKD were 16.6, 5.4, and 32%, respectively. Diabetes mellitus and AMD affecting eyes bilaterally were identified as risk factors for abnormal carotid artery thickening, and age and body mass index were identified as risk factors for CKD. CONCLUSION: The current study confirmed that potentially 30% of patients with exudative AMD without a history of coronary artery disease or stroke have a high risk of acute atherothrombotic events.