Intravitreal Tissue Plasminogen Activator, Ranibizumab, and Gas Injection for Submacular Hemorrhage in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy

To investigate the efficacy of intravitreal injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), ranibizumab, and gas without vitrectomy for submacular hemorrhage.

Prospective, interventional, consecutive case series.

Twenty consecutive patients (20 eyes) with submacular hemorrhage secondary to exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Ranibizumab, rt-PA (25 μg/0.05 ml), and 100% perfluoropropane (0.3 ml) were injected intravitreally, followed by 2-day prone positioning.

The primary outcome measure was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) 6 months after treatment. Secondary outcome measures included central retinal thickness (CRT), central pigment epithelial detachment (PED) thickness, central ellipsoid zone, recurrence rate, and complications.

Underlying disease was exudative AMD in 1 eye and PCV in 19 eyes. Submacular hemorrhage ranged in size from 2 to 31 disc diameters. Complete displacement of submacular hemorrhage was achieved in 17 eyes (85%), and partial displacement was achieved in 3 eyes (15%). Snellen BCVA improved from 20/139 before treatment to 20/65 at 6 months (P = 0.0061). Mean change in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study score from baseline was +13 letters (P = 0.0040). Mean CRT decreased from 599 μm before treatment to 208 μm at 6 months (P < 0.0001), and central PED thickness decreased from 188 to 88 μm (P = 0.0140). Three eyes developed vitreous hemorrhage, and 1 eye developed retinal detachment; all were treated surgically, and Snellen BCVA improved at 6 months (P = 0.0012). Recurrence was observed in 10 eyes (50%) within 6 months, but visual acuity was preserved with intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pro re nata (PRN). The factors that affect BCVA at 6 months after treatment were pre- and posttreatment central ellipsoid zone (P = 0.0366 and P = 0.0424), pretreatment BCVA (P = 0.0015), and pre- and posttreatment central PED thickness (P = 0.0046, P = 0.0021).

Subretinal hemorrhage treatment by intravitreal injection of rt-PA, ranibizumab, and gas is useful to achieve hemorrhage displacement and lesion improvement. To preserve visual acuity, early detection of posttreatment recurrence and intravitreal anti-VEGF injection PRN are necessary.