[Clinical results of intravitreal administration of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and gas for removal of subretinal hemorrhage in senile macular degeneration].
BACKGROUND
Subretinal hemorrhage in age related macular degeneration (AMD) usually causes acute visual loss and is associated with poor visual prognosis. In order to prevent retinal damage and to perform laser treatment of the underlying choroidal neovascularization (CNV) the subretinal hemorrhage has to be removed from the macular region. This could be achieved by intravitreal injection of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and gas.


METHODS
In 8 consecutive patients, suffering from a massive macular hemorrhage (duration of visual problems: mean 9 days), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) (40 micrograms in 400 microliters BSS) and SF6-gas (0.75 ml) was transsclerally injected into the vitreous cavity to achieve liquification and displacement of the hemorrhage.


RESULTS
In all patients liquification and displacement of the hemorrhage out of the macular region was achieved during follow up. During the first week after operation a significant increase of visual acuity was noticed in all patients, however ophthalmoscopically there was just little reduction of the hemorrhage in the foveolar area. After successful removal of the blood the choroidal neovascularization was treated successfully by laser coagulation in one patient. No laser treatment was performed in the other patients because of the subfoveal location of the neovascularisation or because of disciform scar. Visual acuity increased 4 lines after surgery. In one case the procedure was complicated by a persistent vitreous hemorrhage and vitrectomy had to be performed in another patient due to an endophthalmitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal injection of tPA assisted gas displacement of subretinal hemorrhage due to AMD leads to a significant increase of visual acuity during the first week after operation. Although a nearly complete removal of the hemorrhage out of the macular area could be achieved, it was difficult to differentiate this from the spontaneous course. Laser photocoagulation could be performed in only few cases.
Framme
C
C
Universitäts-Augenklinik Regensburg.
Toukhy
H E
HE
Sachs
H G
HG
Spiegel
D
D
Roider
J
J
Gabel
V P
VP
Lohmann
C P
CP
D000368:Aged; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy*; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects
D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride