Influence of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab on systemic blood pressure changes in patients with exudative form of age-related macular degeneration.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to examine blood pressure (BP) changes in hypertensive and nonhypertensive patients after intravitreal bevacizumab injections and to assess whether intravitreal bevacizumab carries an associated vascular risk in patients with exudative ocular disease. We also aimed to estimate the influence of gender. METHODS: The study included 57 patients with age-related macular degeneration who received an intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg (0.1 mL) of bevacizumab. We analyzed systolic and diastolic BP values separately. Patients were divided into males and females, and into hypertensives and normotensives based on their BP values. BP was measured before bevacizumab administration, and 10 minutes, 1 hour, 2 days, 7 days and 6 weeks after the injection. RESULTS: Males had a statistically significant decline in systolic BP values 1 hour and 6 weeks after drug administration (p<0.05). The most notable significant decline in diastolic BP values was for males and for normotensive participants 1 hour after drug administration (p<0.05), while the most notable decline in diastolic BP values for females and for hypertensive participants was 7 days after drug administration, with statistical significance only for hypertensive patients (p<0.01). For males it was noticed that a statistically significant decline in diastolic BP persisted after 6 weeks (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: An intravitreal bevacizumab injection is safe as regards BP changes over 6 weeks post administration. Regular follow up for 6 weeks should be mandatory in order to promptly recognize individuals who have changes in BP values and include them in BP treatment in order to prevent complications.

[Evaluation of body mass index and lipid fractions levels in patients with retinal artery occlusion].

BACKGROUND/AIM: There are studies stressing out that atherosclerosis is most common associated systemic condition in patients with retinal artery occlusion. The aim of this study was to analyze values of body mass index and lipid fractions in healthy individuals and patients with retinal artery occlusion. METHODS: This study included 90 participants during a 6-year period. The population was divided into 2 groups: the group with the diagnosed retinal artery occlusion and the group without retinal artery occlusion. The observed parameters were as follows: body mass index, low and high density lipoproteins and triglycerides. RESULTS: The study revealed no significant difference regarding body mass index and triglycerides values between the two evaluated groups, while low and high density lipoproteins values were significantly higher in the group of patients with retinal artery occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that body mass index and triglycerides have less important role in atherogenic pathogenesis of retinal artery occlusion, while low density lipoprotein is the fraction that is shown to be most potent in such etiological processes.