title: Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration and the risk of stroke.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the vascular event rate in AMD patients treated with an intravitreal VEGF inhibitor with a historical control group treated with photodynamic therapy. We reviewed medical records of 83 patients treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF for AMD between 2005-2007, and 60 patients treated with PDT between 2001-2004. Mean follow-up in the anti-VEGF group was 40 months versus 95 months in the PDT group. Mean age (76 +/- 9 years, versus 74 +/- 10 years, p=n.s.) and cardiovascular risk factor profile were similar. Vascular event rates in each group were 2.6 per 100 patient years versus 2.3 per 100 patient years, (p = n.s). Age over 80 years was associated with an increased risk of a vascular event (odds ratio = 1.113, p<0.05). Despite the high prevalence of risk factors in AMD patients, the incidence of vascular events was low and associated with older age rather than therapy received.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Dooradoyle, Limerick. ucclearly@yahoo.com
authors: C A
authors: CA
authors: Cleary
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Sharaznayan
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Hickey-Dwyer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab