Serum ischemia modified albumin and vascular endothelial growth factor levels following intravitreal bevacizumab injections

Purpose: Previous reports have demonstrated that the serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are reduced after intravitreal injections of bevacizumab. This study aimed to determine the serum levels of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), a marker of ischemia, and VEGF following intravitreal injections of bevacizumab. Methods: This was a prospective study. Blood samples were drawn prior to injection and at 1, 7, and 30 days after injection. Results: A total of 11 patients participated in this study. Mean serum IMA levels were lower than baseline during follow-up, with statistically significant differences compared to baseline levels at day 1 and day 30 (preinjection: 49.82 +/- 15.28 ng/mL; 44.57 +/- 12.01 ng/mL, p = 0.007, and 43.71 +/- 13.82 ng/mL, p = 0.001, respectively). Mean serum VEGF levels were lower than baseline throughout the follow-up period (from 307.45 +/- 273.45 pg/mL at baseline to 159.55 +/- 120.68 pg/mL at day 30). Mean serum VEGF levels were significantly lower compared to baseline levels at day 1 and day 7 (147.09 +/- 106.08 pg/mL, p = 0.014; 72.91 +/- 50 pg/mL, p = 0.011, respectively). Conclusions: In this study, mean serum IMA and VEGF levels were lower following intravitreal bevacizumab injections.