Systemic bevacizumab (Avastin) therapy for exudative neovascular age-related macular degeneration. The BEAT-AMD-Study.
BACKGROUND
Double-blinded, randomised, prospective, pilot-study to determine the effect of systemic bevacizumab therapy.


METHODS
Subjects with fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment, subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation extending under the geometric centre of the foveal avascular zone and/or macular thickness of at least 300 microm in both eyes were included. Sixteen eyes were included and randomised equally to receive either three infusions of 5 mg/kg Avastin or 100 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride every 2 weeks. The main outcome measure was the lesion size. The follow-up time was 24 weeks.


RESULTS
Throughout the 24-week follow-up, the lesion size and macular thickness decreased in the Avastin group by 0.5 (SD 0.08) mm and 103.6 (14.9) microl respectively. In both groups, visual acuity remained stable in seven eyes and decreased in one eye. At the end of follow-up, 50% of the eyes in the Avastin group became fibrotic, 37.5% remained unchanged, and 12.5% developed a subretinal bleeding. There was a treatable rise in blood pressure after Avastin treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Systemic Avastin could be offered to patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration in both eyes and/or patients who refuse intravitreal injections if blood pressure is normal and there is no history of thrombosis.
Schmid-Kubista
K E
KE
Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Retinology and Biomicroscopic Lasersurgery, Rudolf Foundation Clinic, Juchgasse 25, 1030 Vienna, Austria. katharina.schmid-kubista@wienkav.at
Krebs
I
I
Gruenberger
B
B
Zeiler
F
F
Schueller
J
J
Binder
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab