Hypotension Associated With Intravitreal Bevacizumab Therapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity

• Published in: Pediatrics (Evanston) 2016-02, Vol.137 (2), p.e20152005-e20152005
• Main Authors: Wu, Lu-Hsuan, Yang, Yea-Huei Kao, Lin, Chyi-Her, Lin, Yuh-Jyh, Cheng, Ching-Lan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angiogenesis Inhibitors - adverse effects; Angiogenesis Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Bevacizumab; Bevacizumab - adverse effects; Bevacizumab - therapeutic use; Care and treatment; Diseases in Twins - drug therapy; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug therapy; Eye diseases; Female; Health aspects; Humans; Hypotension; Hypotension - chemically induced; Hypotension - diagnosis; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infants (Premature); Influence; Intravitreal Injections; Male; Monoclonal antibodies; Pediatrics; Premature birth; Premature infants; Retinopathy of prematurity; Retinopathy of Prematurity - drug therapy; Retrolental fibroplasia; Side effects
• ISSN: 0031-4005; 1098-4275
• DOI: 10.1542/peds.2015-2005

Intravitreal bevacizumab therapy in preterm infants for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) can be associated with hypotension. We report twin preterm infants who developed hypotension within 1 day after intravitreal bevacizumab therapy for ROP. Before receiving the medication, their clinical statuses were stable and similar. The dose, procedure, and premedication were the same; however, twin B presented with hypotension for 3 days. Although bevacizumab-related hypotension has been described in product information (incidence rate 7%-15%), this is the first case report of intravitreal bevacizumab for ROP inducing hypotension. Physicians should be aware of intravitreal bevacizumab therapy-related hypotension when treating ROP. We suggest conducting a postmarketing active surveillance on the systemic adverse effects of this regimen in preterm infants.