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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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High BP, Medium Vessel Vasculitis. Having Engorged Vessels At The Back Of The Eye. Due To Vasculitis Or BP?

I am a 32 year old female, with high blood pressure, and medium vessel vasculitis . i had my right leg amputated below the knee due the that vasculitis and blood clots. i have a clot in my descending aorta that has been stinted and had a couple shatter in my lungs. i am on metoprolol , lisinipril, coumadin and plavix. i recently went to eye doctors and they said that in my left eye i have engorged vessels in the back. could this be a flair up of the vasculits, or just due to the blood pressure?
posted on Sat, 26 Jan 2013
Twitter Tue, 23 Apr 2013 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 23 Apr 2013 Last reviewed on
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Cardiologist,  's  Response
Interesting question, sometimes difficult to separate the culprit in retinal lesions in patients with vasculitis due to the concommittant difficult to control hypertension. Nevertheless, the short description is not classic for hypertensive retinopathy, and would be more concerning for vasculitic damage; in particular, occlusion of the retinal veins can cause an engorged appearance, and presentation can be gradual or sudden; you already have unfortunately suffered the devastating consequences of thromboembolic vascular disease, thus I would take this finding seriously and talk to your Rheumatologist to see if intensification of medical therapy is needed

Hope that helps,

Dr Brenes-Salazar
Mayo Clinic Rochester
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High BP, Medium Vessel Vasculitis. Having Engorged Vessels At The Back Of The Eye. Due To Vasculitis Or BP?

Interesting question, sometimes difficult to separate the culprit in retinal lesions in patients with vasculitis due to the concommittant difficult to control hypertension. Nevertheless, the short description is not classic for hypertensive retinopathy, and would be more concerning for vasculitic damage; in particular, occlusion of the retinal veins can cause an engorged appearance, and presentation can be gradual or sudden; you already have unfortunately suffered the devastating consequences of thromboembolic vascular disease, thus I would take this finding seriously and talk to your Rheumatologist to see if intensification of medical therapy is needed Hope that helps, Dr Brenes-Salazar Mayo Clinic Rochester