• About
  • Masthead
  • License Content
  • Advertise
  • Submit Press Release
  • RSS/Email List
  • Write for us
  • Contact us
2 Minute Medicine
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

SUBSCRIBE
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
2 Minute Medicine
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
SUBSCRIBE
2 Minute Medicine
Subscribe
Home All Specialties Chronic Disease

No increased overall risk of systemic events with use of anti-VEGF eye treatments

bySwarup Swaminathan, MDandMarc Succi, MD
July 26, 2014
in Chronic Disease, Ophthalmology
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

1. There was no overall increase in systemic cardiovascular events with the use of antibodies to vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies in the eye (Avastin or Lucentis). 

2. Subgroup analysis indicated a significant increase in clot formation with Avastin use and an increase in bleeding with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients treated with Lucentis. 

Evidence Rating Level: 1 (Excellent)       

Study Rundown: AMD, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion are major causes of vision loss among the elderly. Treatment for these conditions often involves injections of anti-VEGF into the eye. Both ranibizumab (Lucentis) and bevacizumab (Avastin) are commonly used anti-VEGF antibodies. Use of these antibodies in other situations is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular events, strokes, clot formation, and severe bleeding. This analysis reviewed multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated any association between these ophthalmic treatments and systemic complications. The authors found that when analyzing the data, there was no overall increase in major heart-related events, strokes, or bleeding with the use of the anti-VEGF antibodies. However, there was a substantial increase in clot formation with the use of Avastin and in bleeding events in AMD patients treated with Lucentis. These findings need to be evaluated cautiously, as they were based on fewer studies with smaller patient populations. Further evaluation of safety profiles of these medications is needed.

Click to read the study in JAMA Ophthalmology

Relevant Reading: The Price of Sight — Ranibizumab, Bevacizumab, and the Treatment of Macular Degeneration

In-Depth [meta-analysis]: After review, 21 RCTs were evaluated, which included over 9,000 patients. End-points included myocardial infarction, nonocular hemorrhage, stroke, death from vascular cause, venothrombolic events (VTE), and hypertension. There was no significant increase in risk of cardiovascular events with the use of anti-VEGF treatments (OR 1.18; 95% CI 0.81-1.71), nor in nonocular hemorrhagic events (OR 1.42; 95% CI, 0.95-2.13) compared to placebo treatment. In trials comparing Avastin to Lucentis, the former was strongly associated with VTEs (OR 3.45; 95% CI, 1.25-9.54). Subgroup analysis also demonstrated an increased risk of nonocular hemorrhages in AMD patients treated with Lucentis compared to placebo (OR 1.57; 95% CI 1.01-2.44). These findings are suggestive of concerns with the safety profiles of these medications, which would warrant further study.

RELATED REPORTS

Meta-analysis shows significant decrease in age-related macular degeneration risk with metformin use

Anti-VEGF therapy for retinopathy of prematurity may be associated with pulmonary hypertension risk

Aflibercept monotherapy equivalent to bevacizumab first for diabetic macular edema

More from this author: Argus II retinal prosthesis significantly improves spatial vision in blind patients, Artificial cornea is well retained in patients with ocular surface disease, High prevalence of undiagnosed glaucoma in West Africa, Interferon therapy is superior to methotrexate for uveitis, Rho kinase inhibitor safely reduces intraocular pressure 

Image: PD

©2012-2014 2minutemedicine.com. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2minutemedicine.com. Disclaimer: We present factual information directly from peer reviewed medical journals. No post should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors, editors, staff or by 2minutemedicine.com. PLEASE SEE A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IN YOUR AREA IF YOU SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE OF ANY SORT.

Tags: age-related macular degenerationbevacizumabdiabetic macular edemaranibizumabVEGF
Previous Post

Funding for antibiotic research in UK may be trailing behind resistance

Next Post

African-American cancer patients more likely to receive risky analgesics

RelatedReports

Antioxidants, omega-3 lack benefit in age-related macular degeneration
Ophthalmology

Meta-analysis shows significant decrease in age-related macular degeneration risk with metformin use

December 19, 2022
Cervical conization may double risk of preterm birth
Ophthalmology

Anti-VEGF therapy for retinopathy of prematurity may be associated with pulmonary hypertension risk

October 19, 2022
Nonpowder gun-related pediatric eye injuries on the rise
Chronic Disease

Aflibercept monotherapy equivalent to bevacizumab first for diabetic macular edema

August 29, 2022
Telemedicine screening for diabetic retinopathy may be cost-effective
Ophthalmology

Subthreshold micropulse laser is equivalent to standard laser for treating diabetic macular edema

August 19, 2022
Next Post
Duloxetine reduces neuropathic pain in chemotherapy patients

African-American cancer patients more likely to receive risky analgesics

Video-based behavioral intervention benefits clinical skin examinations

Pain and itch associated with histologic features of skin cancers

Patient centeredness poor predictor of fertility care dropout

Oocyte vitrification not associated with adverse obstetric or perinatal outcomes

License Our Award-Winning Physician-Written Medical News and Visual Abstracts

2 Minute Medicine is the leading authoritative medical news licensing service, and the only with reports written by practicing doctors.

LICENSE CONTENT

2MM+ Premium Access

No ads & unlimited access to all current reports, over 9000 searchable archived reports, visual abstracts, Weekly Rewinds, and the online edition of The Classics Series™ textbook.

Subscription Options
2 Minute Medicine

2 Minute Medicine® is an award winning, physician-run, expert medical media company. Our content is curated, written and edited by practicing health professionals who have clinical and scientific expertise in their field of reporting. Our editorial management team is comprised of highly-trained MD physicians. Join numerous brands, companies, and hospitals who trust our licensed content.

Recent Reports

  • Dual antiplatelet therapy discontinued 9 months after percutaneous coronary intervention associated with improved morbidity and mortality
  • Concordance of diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder made by pediatricians vs multidisciplinary specialist teams
  • Cystatin C-based equation without race or sex improves accuracy of GFR estimation
License Content
Terms of Use | Disclaimer
Cookie Policy
Privacy Statement (EU)
Disclaimer

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

Want more physician-written
medical news?

Join over 10 million yearly readers and numerous companies. For healthcare professionals
and the public.

Subscribe for free today!

Subscription options