Comparison of visual outcomes between therapy choices and subtypes of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in Taiwan: a real-world study.

Abstract

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a distinctive type of neovascular age-related macular degeneration prevalent in many Asian countries. However, there is still some controversy in how the subtypes of PCV are classified. This post-hoc study redefined the branching vascular network (BVN) and PCV subtypes through retrospective review of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and fluorescein angiography images from two observational studies (RENOWNED/REAL). Of the visual outcomes for each angiographic subtype and treatment pattern investigated, BVN was identified in 56.3% of PCV patients. The proportions and features of the re-defined PCV subtypes were 43.8%, 10.4%, and 45.8% for subtype A (without distinctive features of BVN), B (with BVN but no leakage), and C (with BVN and leakage), respectively. Subtype A had better visual outcomes when compared to subtype C. This possibly resulted from a better baseline visual acuity in subtype A. Moreover, combination therapy [photodynamic therapy plus anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)] may lead to better visual improvement than mono-anti-VEGF treatment alone. This study provides the prevalence of PCV subtypes in Taiwan and may serve as a reference for PCV treatment strategies in a real-world setting, especially for the combination therapy and patients without distinctive features of BVN.

• Authors: Ling Yeung, Chi-Chun Lai, San-Ni Chen, Cheng-Kuo Cheng, Chung-May Yang, Yi-Ting Hsieh, Arslan Tsai, Chang-Hao Yang
• Journal: Scientific reports (Sci Rep) Vol. 11 Issue 1 Pg. 470 (01 11 2021) ISSN: 2045-2322 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 33432090 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Indocyanine Green

Topics

• Aged
• Choroidal Neovascularization (classification, diagnostic imaging, epidemiology, therapy)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Female
• Fluorescein Angiography
• Humans
• Indocyanine Green
• Macular Degeneration (classification, diagnostic imaging, epidemiology, therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Photochemotherapy (methods)
• Prevalence
• Taiwan (epidemiology)
• Treatment Outcome
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (administration & dosage)