Blood Pressure Measurements Following Intravitreal Ranibizumab

Abstract

Purpose: : To evaluate the effect of intravitreal Ranibizumab on blood pressure in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: : Retrospective chart review was conducted for consecutive patients (n=71) who received intravitreal Ranibizumab to treat neovascular AMD had blood pressure measured prior to intravitreal injection and at monthly follow up visits.

Results: : Follow up ranged from 0 to 10 months, with a mean of 3.4 and a median of 4 months. 63% of patients had a history of systemic hypertension and 4% had a history of stroke prior to receiving Ranibizumab. Average pre-injection systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressures (MAP) were 132, 73.30, and 92.88 respectively. Average post-injection systolic, diastolic and MAP at one month were 131.80, 71, and 94.95. One patient (1.4%) had a stroke between her second and third visits. Another patient was found to have a pigment epithelial tear. None of these patients experienced a change in blood pressure following their first injection. No other ocular or systemic adverse events were noted.

Conclusions: : Ranibizumab does not appear to affect systemic blood pressure in the short term.

Keywords: vascular endothelial growth factor • choroid: neovascularization • neovascularization