Blood pressure changes after intravitreal bevacizumab in patients grouped by ocular pathology.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the effects of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin; Novartis, Basel, Switzerland) on blood pressure (BP) in the context of ocular vascular pathology.


METHODS
This study retrospectively examined 135 consecutive patients treated with intravitreal injections of 1.25 mg bevacizumab for retinal vascular disease; there were 61 cases of diabetic retinopathy, 30 of retinal vein occlusion, 35 of choroidal neo-vascularization (CNV), and 9 of other retinal vascular diseases. BP was measured before injection and at 30 min, 1 day, 1 week, 3 weeks, and thereafter monthly over a 6-month period.


RESULTS
In the CNV group, 30-min post-injection systolic values were significantly higher than baseline, and systolic and diastolic values after 1 day, 1 week, and 3 weeks were significantly lower than before injection. No other pressure measurement differed significantly from baseline values in the other groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal bevacizumab injection is safe in terms of its effect on BP, regardless of ocular pathology.
Chung
Y-R
YR
Department of Ophthalmology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
Lee
K
K
Cho
E-H
EH
Lew
H M
HM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab