Blood Coagulation Parameters in Patients Receiving Intravitreal Aflibercept for Age-related Macular Degeneration

Effect of Intravitreal Injection of Aflibercept on Blood Coagulation Parameters in Patients With Age Related Macular Degeneration

This study aims to evaluate coagulation parameters in treatment naive patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Treatment naive patients with neovascular AMD, scheduled to undergo treatment with intravitreal injections of aflibercept will be enrolled in the study. Blood samples will be collected before the first intravitreal injection and at 7 and 30 days after aflibercept administration.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of severe visual loss in the aging population. Intravitreal anti-VEGF agents constitute the mainstay in the treatment of neovascular AMD.

Aflibercept is a recombinant fusion protein targeting vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGF A) and placenta growth factor (PlGF), developed for intravitreal administration in conditions such as neovascular age related macular degeneration, macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion, diabetic macular edema or myopic choroidal neovascularization. However, treatment with anti-VEGFs like aflibercept, carries a potential risk of arterial thromboembolic events, including stroke and myocardial infarction.

Inclusion Criteria:

• treatment naive patients with neovascular AMD scheduled to undergo treatment with intravitreal aflibercept(IVA) in one eye.

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients under systemic treatment with anti-VEGF agents
• patients under intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment in both eyes
• patients unwilling to return 1 week and 1 month after the first IVA
• patients undergoing dialysis, with chronic liver disease or malignancy, under systemic treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or under anticoagulation therapy
• patients with a history of any ATE event during the last 6 months