[Intravitreal injection of rt-PA and gas in the management of minor submacular haemorrhages secondary to age-related macular degeneration]. / Intravitreale Gabe von rt-PA und Gas zur Behandlung kleinflächiger subfovealer Blutungen bei altersbezogener Makuladegeneration.

BACKGROUND: Subfoveal haemorrhage is a serious complication of choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Recent studies have demonstrated that intravitreal injections of the fibrinolytic agent recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and expansile gas may be effective in displacing submacular blood and facilitating visual improvement. However, in most of these studies, this technique has been used for the management of major haemorrhages. The purpose of our study was to investigate the efficacy of treating minor subfoveal haemorrhages with intravitreal rt-PA and pneumatic displacement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective study, 25 consecutive eyes of 25 patients with recent ( 14 days showed a comparable outcome (p = 0.017). There were no side effects or complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that intravitreous injections of rt-PA and sulfur hexafluoride are of value for an improved and accelerated visual recovery in ARMD patients with minor subfoveal haemorrhages. Duration of haemorrhage