title: Sequential Morphological Changes in the CNV Net after Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Evaluated with OCT Angiography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess and describe sequential morphological changes in the choroidal neovascularization (CNV) net using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients undergoing treatment with intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study. OCTA was performed sequentially: before (t0), 1 h (t1), 1 week (t2) and 1 month after the injection (t3), using Avanti RTVue XR equipped with the AngioVue® software (Optovue, Calif., USA). All images were classified by two independent graders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten eyes of 10 patients, with a mean age of 72.4 ± 10.5 years, were included. CNV morphology was described as tree-like in 5 eyes, glomerular in 1 and fragmented in 4. A fibrovascular capsule surrounding the CNV net was found in 4 eyes and a feeder trunk was noticed in 6. No changes were observed at t1. Loss of peripheral capillaries, vessel fragmentation and decreased vessel density were evident in 8 eyes at t2. The CNV capillary density and the peripheral anastomosis increased in all of these at t3. Two eyes remained unchanged through the whole length of follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant changes in the CNV net can be observable in OCTA at least 1 week after intravitreal anti-VEGF. The safety of frequent examinations may provide a method of gauging treatment effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitx00E1;rio de Coimbra (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: João Pedro
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: José Filipe
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: Maria Luz
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cachulo
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Figueira
authors.forename: Rufino
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000068258:Bevacizumab / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000069579:Ranibizumab / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000069579:Ranibizumab