Vanishing pachy-choroid in pachychoroid neovasculopathy under long-term anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy

Two-Year Results of a Treat and Extend Regimen with Aflibercept in Caucasian Patients with Pachychoroid Neovasculopathy

INTRODUCTION

There are few reports evaluating the treatment of pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) in white patients. The purpose of this study is to analyze the results of a treat and extend regimen with aflibercept in white patients with PNV after 2 years of follow-up.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study in 31 eyes of 26 patients with PNV treated with a treat an extend regimen of intravitreal aflibercept. The mean age was 63,84 ± 7.92 years. There were 9 males (35%) and 17 females (65%). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), choroidal subfoveal thickness (CST), choroidal thickness (CT) under type 1 choroidal neovascularization (CNV), pigment epithelium detachment (PED) height, and presence of subretinal fluid (SRF), intraretinal fluid (IRF) and wet macula, were evaluated at baseline and after 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.

RESULTS

BCVA remained stable during the follow-up (p 0.161). A significant diminution of CMT was found (p 0.001). Conversely, PED height diminution was not significative (p 0.260). CST and CT under type 1 CNV improved significantly during the follow-up (p 0.005 and 0.009, respectively). Also, wet macula improved after 24 months (p < .001). The average number of intravitreal injections was 12.34 ± 6.01.

CONCLUSION

Treat and extend regimen with intravitreal aflibercept in white patients with PNV may be effective for improving CMT, CST, CT under type 1 CNV and wet macula, and to stabilize vision, with a personalized regimen of intravitreal injections.

Relationship between Pachychoroid and Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy

Previous clinical studies have suggested that pachychoroid can induce macular neovascularization (MNV) to develop pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) and that PNV can progress to polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Recent studies based on the pachychoroid concept are now gradually revealing the true nature of, at least some part of, PCV. However, previous studies on PNV and/or PCV have used different frameworks for the classification of PNV, PCV, and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). These have hampered the rapid overhaul of the understanding of PCV. Some investigators have assumed that all PCV is pachychoroid-driven whereas other investigators have classified PCV into “pachychoroid PCV” and “non-pachychoroid PCV”. Furthermore, since there is no consensus as to whether PNV includes PCV, some studies have included PCV with PNV, while other studies have excluded PCV from PNV. To address these gaps, we summarize previous studies on PCV and pachychoroid. Even before the proposal of the pachychoroid concept, previous studies had suggested that PCV could be divided into two subtypes, of which one was characterized by pachychoroid features. Previous studies had also provided keys to understand relationship between PCV and PNV. We here recommend a refined conceptual framework for future studies on PNV, PCV, and nAMD. Considering the current inconsistent understanding of PCV, we should be cautious about using the term PCV until we understand the true nature of PCV.

Long term results of three anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents in pachychoroid neovasculopathy

PURPOSE

To assess morphological changes and visual results in eyes with pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) that underwent different intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective, observational, comparative study included 76 PNV eyes in 76 patients that were allocated to 3 groups according to monotherapy injection procedure, as follows: the intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) group, intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) group, and intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) group. Central macular thickness (CMT), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were measured at baseline, after treatment 1^st month, 3^rd month, 6^th month, and 12^th month, and at the final post-treatment examination.

RESULTS

Mean age of the patients was 57.31 ± 5.91 years (range: 34-67 years). Mean duration of follow-up was 31.50 ± 12.91 months (range: 13-60 months). The IVB group included 30 eyes, the IVR group included 22 eyes, and the IVA group included 24 eyes. There weren't any significant differences in BCVA changes between the groups at any post-baseline measurement time point. Although CMT did not change significantly in the IVB group from baseline to final follow-up visit (baseline: 376.33 ± 86.31µm; final visit: 340.80 ± 122.70 µm) (p = 0.172), CMT did change significantly in the IVA group (baseline: 383.41 ± 131.83 µm; final visit: 297.33 ± 103.81 µm) (p = 0.029) and IVR group (baseline: 379.18 ± 97.93 µm; final visit: 335.72 ± 111.45 µm) (p = 0.041). SFCT decreased significantly in the IVR and IVA groups (p = 0.015 and p < 0.001, respectively). The mean number of injections was 12.06 ± 4.72 (range: 6-20) in the IVB group, 11.81 ± 3.31(range: 7-17) in the IVR group, and 7.16 ± 3.15 (range: 4-13) in the IVA group (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

All 3 anti-VEGFs were effective in terms of visual results in patients with PNV. Patients treated with IVA required fewer injections than those treated with IVB or IVR. Furthermore, IVR and IVA treatment significantly decreased SFCT, whereas IVB did not.

Progression of pachychoroid neovasculopathy into aneurysmal type 1 choroidal neovascularization or polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

PURPOSE

To describe the progression of pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) into pachychoroid aneurysmal type 1 choroidal neovascularization (PAT1) / polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

DESIGN

Retrospective longitudinal cohort study.

SUBJECTS

Patients diagnosed with PNV with a follow-up of ≥ 2 years.

METHODS

Multimodal imaging, including optical coherence tomography and fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, was reviewed for the presence of choroidal neovascularization (CNV), aneurysms within/at the margins of the CNV and sub-foveal choroidal thickness (SFCT).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Rate of PNV to PAT1/PCV conversion and risk factors thereof.

RESULTS

In total, 37 PNV eyes of 32 patients with a mean follow-up of 3.3±1.1 (2.0 - 5.2) years were included in the study. At PNV diagnosis, mean age was 59.7±8.7 (range: 38.5 - 78.0) years and mean SFCT was 357±92 (185 - 589) μm. During follow-up, 5 eyes (13.5 %) developed aneurysms after a mean 3.4±0.8 years (2.3 - 4.2 years) years, defining PAT1/PCV. Risk of PAT1/PCV conversion was 7.4 % at year 3, 13.6 % at year 4 and 30.7 % at year 5. Mean 5.2±4.0 to 8.1±3.4 intravitreal anti-VEGF injections were given per year, resulting in a significant reduction of SFCT to 317±104 (122 to 589) μm (p= 0.0007). Age at diagnosis of PNV was significantly lower in eyes that later went on to develop PAT1/PCV (54.0±5.6 (45.9 to 60.5) vs. 61.2±8.4 (38.5 - 78.0) years, p=0.025). At end of follow-up, SFCT had on average decreased by -14.0±17.6 (-55.9 to 23.1) % in the PNV group, while it had increased by mean 6.9±4.4 (0.00 to 10.8) % in the PAT1/PCV conversion group (p=0.0025).

CONCLUSION

PNV can develop aneurysms within its type 1 CNV, defining conversion to PAT1/PCV. In this study, conversion to PAT1/PCV was seen in 13.5 % of eyes, resulting in Kaplan Meier estimates of risk for conversion of 7.4 % at year 3, 13.6 % at year 4 and 30.7 % at year 5. Younger age at diagnosis of PNV and sustained choroidal thickening despite anti-VEGF therapy might be risk factors for PNV to progress into PAT1/PCV.