Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration and the risk of stroke.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the vascular event rate in AMD patients treated with an intravitreal VEGF inhibitor with a historical control group treated with photodynamic therapy. We reviewed medical records of 83 patients treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF for AMD between 2005-2007, and 60 patients treated with PDT between 2001-2004. Mean follow-up in the anti-VEGF group was 40 months versus 95 months in the PDT group. Mean age (76 +/- 9 years, versus 74 +/- 10 years, p=n.s.) and cardiovascular risk factor profile were similar. Vascular event rates in each group were 2.6 per 100 patient years versus 2.3 per 100 patient years, (p = n.s). Age over 80 years was associated with an increased risk of a vascular event (odds ratio = 1.113, p<0.05). Despite the high prevalence of risk factors in AMD patients, the incidence of vascular events was low and associated with older age rather than therapy received.