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Influence of anti-VEGF about cardiovascular biomarkers in age related macular degeneration
N Manresa1, J Mulero, M Losada
1N. Manresa, Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, Catholic University of San Antonio, Murcia 30107, Spain. Email: noemi-mr@hotmail.com, Phone: +34968278705, Fax: +34968278622.
Abstract:
Systemic VEGF inhibition disrupts endothelial homeostasis and accelerates the atherogenesis, suggesting that these events contribute to the clinical cardiovascular adverse events of VEGF-inhibiting therapies. The objective of the current study was to analyze the effect of anti-VEGF therapy on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with exudative age related macular degeneration. A total of 73 patients with exudative age related macular degeneration (without previous anti-VEGF therapy) were treated with two anti-VEGF: Ranibizumab and Pegaptanib sodium. The follow up was 6 months. The following parameters were determined before and after treatment: homocysteine, lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-c, LDL-c), C-Reactive Protein and fibrinogen. There were not statistically significant differences in parameters studied before and after treatment with both Pegaptanib sodium and Ranibizumab, except C-Reactive Protein. Of all patients analyzed, only 3 of them have initially C-Reactive Protein levels above normal levels and after antiangiogenic therapy, there was a significant increase in C-Reactive Protein. We have not found results in our study who to suspect that treatment with anti-VEGF in the patients with exudative age related macular degeneration increases cardiovascular risk predictors. However, after therapy was increased the CRP and fibrinogen may mean that anti-VEGF contribute an alteration of endothelial homeostasis in exudative AMD.
Insights
Anti-VEGF therapy for age-related macular degeneration did not significantly alter cardiovascular risk factors. However, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels increased post-treatment, suggesting potential endothelial homeostasis disruption.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Systemic VEGF inhibition can disrupt endothelial homeostasis and promote atherogenesis.
- This raises concerns about cardiovascular adverse events associated with VEGF-inhibiting therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of anti-VEGF therapy on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Main Methods:
- 73 patients with exudative AMD received Ranibizumab or Pegaptanib sodium for 6 months.
- Cardiovascular risk factors including homocysteine, lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), and fibrinogen were measured pre- and post-treatment.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant changes were observed in homocysteine, lipids, or fibrinogen levels.
- A statistically significant increase in C-reactive protein (CRP) was noted post-anti-VEGF therapy.
- Only 3 patients initially had elevated CRP levels; this increased significantly after treatment.
Conclusions:
- Anti-VEGF therapy in exudative AMD patients did not demonstrably increase common cardiovascular risk predictors.
- The observed increase in CRP and fibrinogen warrants further investigation into potential alterations in endothelial homeostasis.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term cardiovascular implications of anti-VEGF treatments.
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