Risk of myocardial infarction similar between aflibercept and ranibizumab
Similar safety profiles were observed between patients initiating intravitreal therapy with aflibercept and ranibizumab concerning the risk of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or death, according to a study.
A French nationwide cohort study of patients who initiated therapy with intravitreal ranibizumab or aflibercept examined the risk of MI, stroke, and death for a follow-up period of up to 6 years. Subgroup analyses for patients with a history of ischemic heart disease or stroke, diabetes, indication for treatment, sex, age, and number of IVT anti-VEGF injections were also performed.
A total of 174,794 new ranibizumab users and 76,242 new aflibercept users were included. Compared to the ranibizumab group, the aflibercept group did not have an increased risk of MI, stroke, or death. Among patients with diabetes starting aflibercept there was a non-statistically significant increase in the risk of stroke compared with patients with diabetes receiving ranibizumab. This was seen particularly in patients with diabetic macular edema.
Reference
Billioti de Gage S, Bertrand M, Grimaldi S, et al. Risk of Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, or Death in New Users of Intravitreal Aflibercept Versus Ranibizumab: A Nationwide Cohort Study. Ophthalmol Ther. 2022;doi: 10.1007/s40123-021-00451-1. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35072917.
