Short-term efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept in treatment-naive patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the functional and morphologic outcomes of patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy who underwent intravitreal aflibercept treatment.

METHODS:

We prospectively studied all the treatment-naive patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy who were scheduled to undergo intravitreal aflibercept between February 2013 and July 2013. The best-corrected visual acuity was compared before treatment and at 6 months after the initial treatment. Changes in the central foveal thickness, choroidal thickness, presence/absence of subretinal fluid, fibrin, pigment epithelial detachment, and subretinal hemorrhage were also evaluated. The regression of the polyps was assessed using indocyanine green angiography.

RESULTS:

A total of 16 patients were included in this study. A significantly better best-corrected visual acuity at 6 months was seen, compared with that at baseline (P = 0.041). The mean central foveal thickness significantly decreased from 417 ± 127 μm to 187 ± 50 μm (P < 0.001). The mean choroidal thickness also significantly decreased from 250 ± 63 μm to 217 ± 64 μm (P = 0.011). Overall, a complete resolution was obtained in 93.3% (14/15) of the cases with subretinal fluid, 75.0% (3/4) of the cases with fibrin, and 88.9% (8/9) of the cases with subretinal hemorrhage. Fifty-six percent (5/9) of the cases with pigment epithelial detachment obtained a complete improvement, whereas 33.3% (3/9) exhibited a partial decrease. The rate of polyp regression was 75.0% (12/16).

CONCLUSION:

Intravitreal aflibercept was well tolerated and had improved the vision of treatment-naive patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy when it was evaluated at short-term follow-up examinations. Intravitreal aflibercept might be associated with a high possibility of achieving involution of polyps and reducing exudative findings.

• Authors: Maiko Inoue, Akira Arakawa, Shin Yamane, Kazuaki Kadonosono
• Journal: Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.) (Retina) Vol. 34 Issue 11 Pg. 2178-84 (Nov 2014) ISSN: 1539-2864 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25046397 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins
• aflibercept
• Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Angiogenesis Inhibitors (administration & dosage)
• Choroid Diseases (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Female
• Fluorescein Angiography
• Fovea Centralis (pathology)
• Humans
• Intravitreal Injections
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Peripheral Vascular Diseases (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Prospective Studies
• Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (administration & dosage)
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins (administration & dosage)
• Visual Acuity