Retinal hemorrhage after photodynamic therapy in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization caused by age-related macular degeneration

Prognostic phenotypic and genotypic factors associated with photodynamic therapy response in patients with age-related macular degeneration

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to demonstrate the phenotypic and genotypic factors associated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

METHODS

The study included 149 patients with exudative AMD treated by PDT. Eight phenotypic factors and ten genotypic factors for three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs800292, rs1061170, rs1410996) in the complement factor H (CFH) gene, rs 11200638-SNP in the high temperature requirement A-1 (HTRA1) gene, two SNPs (rs699947, rs2010963) in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene, and four SNPs (rs12948385, rs12150053, rs9913583, rs1136287) in the pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) gene were evaluated.

RESULTS

A significant association with best-corrected visual acuity change was demonstrated in the greatest linear dimension, presence or absence of pigment epithelial detachment, and HTRA1-rs11200638 genotype statistically (P=3.67×10(-4), 1.95×10(-2), 1.24×10(-3), respectively). Best-corrected visual acuity in patients with AA genotype of HTRA1-rs11200638 significantly decreased compared with that in patients with GG genotype (P=1.33×10(-3)). Logistic regression analyses demonstrated HTRA1-rs11200638 genotype was most strongly associated with best-corrected visual acuity outcome from baseline at 12 months after photodynamic therapy (P=4.60×10(-3); odds ratio 2.363; 95% confidence interval 1.303-4.285).

CONCLUSION

The HTRA1-rs11200638 variant showed the most significant association. Therefore, this variant may be used as a prognostic factor to estimate the PDT response with significant predictive power.

Subretinal recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and pneumatic displacement for the management of subretinal hemorrhage occurring after anti-VEGF injections for wet AMD

We describe three cases of submacular hemorrhage that occurred two to four days after anti-VEGF intravitreal injection for occult choroidal neovascularisation in age-related macular degeneration and their management with 25 gauge pars plana vitrectomy with injection of subretinal recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA) followed by fluid-air exchange and postoperative prone position. Vitrectomy, subretinal rTPA injection and fluid-gas exchange apply as a safe and effective treatment in these cases. Functional results seem to be positive especially if surgical treatment is promptly performed.

Complement factor H and high-temperature requirement A-1 genotypes and treatment response of age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE

To determine whether there is an association between complement factor H (CFH), high-temperature requirement A-1 (HTRA1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) genotypes and response to treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT) for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a Japanese population.

DESIGN

Prospective, case-control study.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred ten patients with exudative AMD treated by verteporfin PDT were recruited prospectively at the Department of Ophthalmology, Saitama Medical University Hospital, Saitama, Japan.

METHODS

The patients were genotyped for 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs800292, rs1061170, rs1410996, rs2274700) in the CFH gene, a rs11200638-SNP in the HTRA1 gene, 3 SNPs (rs699947, rs1570360, rs2010963) in the VEGF gene, and 4 SNPs (rs12150053, rs12948385, rs9913583, rs1136287) in the PEDF gene using a TaqMan assay.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The treatment outcomes and genotypes of CFH, HTRA1, VEGF, and PEDF polymorphisms.

RESULTS

Best-corrected visual acuity 1 year after PDT was significantly increased in patients with the HTRA1-rs11200638 GG genotype as compared with patients with the GA or AA genotypes (P = 2.9 × 10⁻², 7.0 × 10⁻⁴, respectively). The rate of recurrence in the 12-month period after PDT was also associated with HTRA1-rs11200638 genotype (P = 3.12 × 10⁻²). Patients with the AA genotype of HTRA1-rs11200638 had an approximately 6-fold greater risk of the recurrence than patients with the GG genotype (P = 5.58 × 10⁻³). Significant differences were demonstrated in the mean time interval from the initial treatment to the time of recurrence for the genotypes of CFH-rs1410996/-rs2274700 (P = 8.50 × 10⁻³).

CONCLUSIONS

The HTRA1-rs11200638 and CFH-rs1410996/-rs2274700 variants were associated with response to PDT in this study population. These variants may be used for genetic biomarkers to estimate visual outcomes and recurrences in the response to PDT with significant predictive power.

[Massive hemorrhage following photodynamic therapy in exudative ARMD]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can prevent visual loss and the risk of hemorrhage in exudative ARMD. Nevertheless, it can sometimes complicate with massive hemorrhage. We report the case of a massive macular hemorrhage 4 days after a first treatment with dynamic phototherapy (PDT) with Visudyne for rapidly progressive (6 months) exudative AMD with occult neovessels in an 86-year-old female. The rationale for PDT was a rapidly progressive lesion with preserved visual acuity (20/40). Four days after injection, a massive submacular hemorrhage of 6 disc diameter developed, with a dramatic decrease in visual acuity. This hemorrhage recovered within 6 months, producing large, fibroglial, submacular scarring with changes on the retinal pigment epithelium. This case highlights the possible side effects of this treatment.

Evolution of retinal pigment epithelium detachment after photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE

To report a case of pigment epithelium detachment (PED) which appeared after photodynamic therapy (PDT) and was followed up for 50 months.

METHODS

Case report.

RESULTS

A 71-year-old woman with occult choroidal neovascular membrane due to age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) developed PED 48 hours after PDT. The patient was studied with fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Fluorescein angiographic evidence of PED remained essentially unchanged during the follow-up period of 50 months. Although OCT initially gave clear evidence of PED, in the last 12 months of follow-up the PED appears to have resolved.

CONCLUSIONS

Photodynamic treatment could be involved in the occurrence of PED in occult choroidal neovascular membrane due to ARMD. In this particular case OCT could be considered since it offers useful information in the pretreatment and the post-treatment follow-up period.

Safety of verteporfin for treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes associated with age-related macular degeneration

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a novel treatment entity that exploits the photophysical properties of various photosensitive chemical entities which, upon light activation, results in targeted photooxidation and subsequent tissue destruction. The antiangiogenic properties of PDT have been adapted for treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes due to disease states such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Historically, PDT has been limited by a lack of suitable photosensitive dyes. However, agents such as verteporfin, a second-generation benzoporphyrin derivative, appear to be free from the extensive phototoxicity that limited the success of previous agents. Verteporfin has a high affinity for choroidal neovascular membranes, typically found with exudative AMD, and upon photoactivation results in targeted microvascular damage and thrombus formation with resultant vessel occlusion. Scrutiny of diagnostic indicators for verteporfin administration, including critical angiographic evaluation of lesion size and visual acuity, is essential to treatment success. Large lesions with relatively good visual acuity (20/50 or better) may be at particular risk for marked vision loss following verteporfin administration. Lesion composition also appears to influence visual outcome with verteporfin use. The safety of verteporfin is directly dependent upon the appropriate integration of dosage, infusion and light activation required for a suitable pharmacotherapeutic outcome. When used appropriately, and with adequate patient education regarding photosensitivity, the risk-benefit of verteporfin for the medical treatment of neovascular AMD is favourable.

Subfoveal hemorrhage after verteporfin photodynamic therapy in treatment of choroidal neovascularization

BACKGROUND

To identify the frequency of new subfoveal hemorrhage and its impact on visual acuity 2 weeks following verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

METHODS

Retrospective, noncomparative, consecutive, interventional case series. At a tertiary retinal referral center, 104 eyes of 97 consecutive patients with predominantly classic subfoveal CNV were treated by PDT. Morphological outcomes include new subfoveal hemorrhage assessed on the photo review (pretreatment, 2 and 12 weeks after PDT). Visual acuity outcomes include moderate (3-5 ETDRS lines) and severe (6 and more ETDRS lines) loss of visual acuity at 2 weeks after PDT.

RESULTS

In this study, 104 eyes of 97 patients were analyzed. CNV in all eyes was secondary to AMD. New subfoveal hemorrhage was found in 22% (23/104) of the eyes 2 weeks following PDT. 17.4% (4/23) of the eyes with new subfoveal hemorrhage had moderate or severe loss of visual acuity. In such eyes the 12-week examination revealed considerable resorption of the new subfoveal hemorrhage with some improvement of visual acuity.

CONCLUSIONS

In 3.8% of the eyes that underwent PDT for predominantly classic subfoveal CNV secondary to AMD, new subfoveal hemorrhage may result in moderate or severe loss of visual acuity within 2 weeks. In all eyes with new subfoveal hemorrhage, considerable resorption of the hemorrhage and some improvement of the visual acuity were seen at 12 weeks. Candidates for PDT should be informed about the low risk of this complication.