Adverse events with intravitreal injection of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors: case-control study

Source: BMJ
Area: News
The development of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors has revolutionised the treatment of age related macular degeneration (AMD). As VEGF functions in many physiological and pathological processes, including maintenance of normal blood vessels, wound healing responses, blood clotting processes, and stabilisation of atheromatous plaques, there is a hypothetical risk that adverse vascular events may stem from its inhibition. Furthermore, empirical clinical evidence suggests an association between inhibition of VEGF and adverse vascular events and the intravenous administration of bevacizumab has been associated with increased risks of stroke, venous thromboembolism, and congestive heart failure. However it remains unclear whether this risk of systemic adverse events can be extrapolated to the small doses used in AMD.   Therefore Canadian researchers conducted a population based nested case-control study to assess the risk of systemic adverse events ...