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Severe hypertensive flare‐up after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab for retinal venous branch occlusion
Author(s) -
Tour Nicolas,
Bertrand Laura,
Bagheri Haleh,
Amar Jacques
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
fundamental and clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1472-8206
pISSN - 0767-3981
DOI - 10.1111/fcp.12632
Subject(s) - medicine , ranibizumab , intravitreal administration , adverse effect , vascular endothelial growth factor , retinal vein , atrial fibrillation , bevacizumab , vegf receptors , ophthalmology , occlusion , retinal , chemotherapy
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins are involved in the regulation of angiogenesis. Systemic adverse effects of some anti‐VEGF include hypertension, proteinuria and cardiovascular complications which could involve lower systemic VEGF levels. However, the question regarding intravitreal administration of anti‐VEGF remains controversial given that the patients receiving these drugs are often elderly and present cardiac risk factors such as arterial hypertension or atrial fibrillation. We report a case of hypertensive flare‐up following intravitreal injection of ranibizumab for retinal vein occlusion. The outcome was favourable after adapted antihypertensive treatment. This case report adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that intravitreal administration of anti‐VEGF, regardless of agents, may result in hypertensive episodes in some predisposed patients. Listing this adverse effect should help to minimize risks by heightening clinician and patient awareness and to improve blood pressure monitoring following the intravitreal administration of anti‐VEGF agents.