title: Arteriosclerotic Changes after Intravitreal Injections of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Drugs in Patients with Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine whether multiple intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) exacerbate systemic arteriosclerosis, using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and intima-media thickness (IMT).
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the data of 45 AMD patients who received intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF drugs (ranibizumab and/or aflibercept) and underwent systemic evaluations at baseline and after treatment. Reevaluation was conducted at ≥12 months from the initial treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total number of intravitreal injections of overall anti-VEGF drugs was significantly correlated with x0394;serum cystatin C. The cumulative number of aflibercept injections was identified as an independent protective factor for x0394;CAVI. An increase in the cumulative number of intravitreal injections of overall anti-VEGF drugs was identified as a protective factor for x0394;mean IMT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Repeated intravitreal injections of an anti-VEGF drug for AMD may lead to morphological and functional changes in large arteries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Toho University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomoaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shiba
authors.forename: Mao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Izumi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Hikari
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hori
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008297:Male; D000069579:Ranibizumab / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D057135:Wet Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C533178:aflibercept; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D000069579:Ranibizumab