Elevated vascular endothelial growth factor levels in Coats disease: rapid response to pegaptanib sodium

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The purpose was to report a case of elevated intraocular vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in a 2-year-old boy with stage 4 Coats disease. Interventional case report. A 2-year-old boy with severe Coats disease and complex retinal detachment refractory to surgical intervention underwent two injections of intravitreal pegaptanib sodium in his right eye 8 weeks apart. After intravitreal injection there was a marked reduction in VEGF (908 to 167 pg/ml) levels and improvement of exudation, hemorrhage, and nearly complete reattachment of his retina within 3 weeks of treatment. The patient remains stable 6 months post-treatment. Coats disease may have a component of dysregulation of VEGF-mediated angiogenesis as evidenced by elevated levels in this patient.