Y-R Chung1, K Lee, E-H Cho, H M Lew. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
PURPOSE: 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. DISCUSSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection is safe in terms of its effect on BP, regardless of ocular pathology.
PURPOSE: 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. DISCUSSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection is safe in terms of its effect on BP, regardless of ocular pathology.