Effects of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) therapy on retrobulbar blood flow parameters in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
BACKGROUND
To investigate the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab on retrobulbar circulation in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).


METHODS
Thirty patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration were assessed prospectively by both color Doppler imaging and fundus fluorescein angiography. Spectral Doppler analysis allowed the measurement of the maximum velocity (Vmax) and minimum velocity (Vmin) of the central retinal vein (CRV), and peak systolic (PSV), end-diastolic (EDV) velocities of blood flows, and pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) values in the central retinal artery (CRA), nasal and temporal posterior ciliary arteries (NPCA, TPCA), and ophthalmic artery (OA). The t test for paired samples was used to compare retrobulbar blood flow values before and after intravitreal bevacizumab injection.


RESULTS
PSV and EDV of the NPCA and PSV of the TPCA were significantly decreased after intravitreal bevacizumab injection (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the other parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that intravitreal bevacizumab therapy has a measurable effect on retrobulbar blood flow.
Mete
Ahmet
A
Gaziantep University Medical School, Department of Radiology, Sahinbey, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Saygili
Oguzhan
O
Mete
Alper
A
Bayram
Metin
M
Bekir
Necdet
N
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009880:Ophthalmic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012169:Retinal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014822:Vitreous Body
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab