Transient Cortical Blindness After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Case Report

Abstract

Transient cortical blindness (TCB) is an unusual postoperative complication following cardiac surgery. In this report, we present the case of a 54-year-old female who developed TCB after undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Her vision gradually improved over the course of two months post-operation. No causative ocular damage was found upon ophthalmologic examination, and assessments of related arteries (carotid, vertebral, and ophthalmic) were entirely normal. Following the onset of blindness, a non-contrast computed tomography scan showed bilateral subarachnoid hyperdensities in the occipital and parietal lobes. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to confirm the presence of cerebral hemorrhage, but no pathology was detected. While the exact mechanism of TCB remains unclear, recognizing this potential complication after CABG is crucial.