No increased risk of cardiorenal outcomes seen after anti-VEGF therapy in eye disease

To determine the risk of developing cardiorenal side effects due to the systemic absorption of intravitreal injections of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (anti-VEGF) therapies, researchers analyzed randomized controlled trials of intravitreal bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept for the treatment of any eye disease.

Overall, the incidence of hypertension, heart failure, and kidney function decline was similar between anti-VEGF groups and control groups.

Proteinuria was detectable in some patients treated with anti-VEGF therapy (0.2%) but not in controls (0.0%; RR 4.43 [0.49; 40.0]).

An increased risk of all-cause mortality in participants with diabetic eye disease treated with anti-VEGF therapies was noted (RR 1.62 [1.04; 2.46]).

Reference
Lees JS, Dobbin SJH, Elyan BMP, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of intravitreal VEGF inhibitors on cardiorenal outcomes. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2022;gfac305. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfac305. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36318455.