EVEREST study report 4: Fluorescein angiography features predictive of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

It is important to identify features of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) that differentiate it from typical neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) on various imaging modalities, including fluorescein angiography (FA).

PCV was thought to be indistinguishable from nAMD using FA alone. In real-world practice, indocyanine-green angiography may often be unavailable or contraindicated.

Analysis of FA images from a prospective, multicentre study.

Study images of both PCV and nAMD patients from the EVEREST study.

FA features at baseline were independently graded by masked graders (fellowship-trained ophthalmologists) using standardized diagnostic algorithms.

Predictive indicators (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values) for PCV.

Of the 95 patients screened, 61 had PCV. Of the 34 screening failures, 15 were diagnosed as nAMD. Hyperfluorescent nodules on FA were observed in 80% of patients with PCV vs 20% with nAMD (P < 0.001). Blocked fluorescence on FA, which corresponded to the presence of subretinal haemorrhage, occurred more frequently among patients with PCV vs nAMD (61.7% vs 13.3%, P = 0.001). Similarly, the leakage characteristic of occult choroidal neovascularization occurred more frequently among patients with PCV vs nAMD (95.0% vs 73.3%, P = 0.026). The positive predictive value for PCV was 94.1% for hyperfluorescent nodules, 94.9% for blocked fluorescence, 83.8% for occult choroidal neovascularization and 82.0% for pigment epithelial detachment.

This study demonstrated that certain FA features can be predictive of PCV and may be considered as an indication for retina specialists to perform indocyanine green angiography as confirmatory test.