Using intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin^®) – Indian Scenario

In recent times, with a better understanding of the pathophysiology of various retinal conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion, it is now known that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of these conditions. Hence, anti-VEGF agents are often the first-line drugs which have shown to improve visual acuity, rather than just prevent vision loss. The paradigm shift in the management of these conditions is evident by the fact that intravitreal injections have become the most common medical procedure in the United States (about twice the cataract surgery).[1]

The intraocular use of multidose Avastin proves to be the cheapest and most cost-effective besides its high efficacy. However, it is “off-label” as it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, USA nor by the drug controller general of India for intravitreal use. This has led to a lot of debate and doubts regarding legal implications of the use of intravitreal Avastin^®, procurement of the drug, precautions to be taken, and guidelines to be followed while using the vial for multiple patients.

As with any intraocular procedure, endophthalmitis is a dreaded complication leading to severe ocular morbidity and vision loss [Fig. 1].[2] Although the incidence is low[3] (0.016–0.026%), with dramatic increase in the number of injections performed annually in India, postinjection endophthalmitis (PIE) is a matter of grave concern since multiple patients undergo the procedure in the same operating theater (OT) on the same day which increases the risk of cluster endophthalmitis throughout the country following intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin^®) and confirmed reports of such dreadful occurrences exist. Since multiple patients undergo the procedure in one sitting, any breach in asepsis, cold-chain or contaminated drug increases the risk of cluster endophthalmitis. One of the major reasons for increase in postintravitreal injection endophthalmitis is the procurement of counterfeit drugs and improper storage of drug/lapse in cold chain when the same vial is used more than once. This is, especially, true for intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin^®), available as 4-ml vial. Recently, a cluster of 21 patients suffering from endophthalmitis after being injected from a single vial of Avastin^® on a single day was referred to our tertiary care center. A majority of these patients showed Stenotrophomonas maltophilia as the causative agent which was also isolated from the vial and is an emerging nosocomial infection causing endophthalmitis. Thus, to avoid such dreaded complication like cluster endophthalmitis, the best practice guidelines formulated and issued by VRSI, AIOS, and Dr. R.P. Centre (AIIMS, New Delhi) should be followed and the procedure should be carried out diligently with proper pre-, intra-, and post-operative precautions.

Figure 1.

Acute postintravitreal injection endophthalmitis

Preoperative Precautions

• A written informed consent explaining the procedure and the risks involved. Off-label use to be included in consent and explained to patient

• Thorough preoperative screening and control of risk factors like localized adnexal infection or systemic condition are mandatory

• Each patient to be given clean OT gown, protective cap, and booties before entering the preoperative holding area/OT

• In the preoperative holding area/or on table, the periocular skin should be cleaned with povidone-iodine 10% solution

• Surgical/procedural time-out to verify patient's name, intravitreal agent, and laterality should be practiced before injection in each patient

• Bilateral injections are not recommended. Injection in the other eye should be spaced at least one to 2 weeks apart

• Prophylactic topical antibiotics: There is a lack of evidence to support pre-, peri-, or post-injection topical antibiotics. In fact, one of the studies showed a trend toward higher incidence.[4] However, a short course of postprocedure prophylactic antibiotic may be used on surgeon's personal experience and discretion.

Intraoperative Precautions

• Location: The procedure should be performed in an OT setting, and not in office setting[5]

• Cleaning and draping: Use 10% povidone-iodine to clean skin and ocular adnexa, 5% povidone-iodine for instillation into cul-de-sac with contact time of at least 3 min [Fig. 2a and b]. The surgical area should be draped using sterile linen and a separate plastic eye drape for each patient to isolate the field [Fig. 2c]

• A speculum should be used to prevent contact of the eyelashes and eyelid margins with injection site and the needle [Fig. 2d]

• Topical anesthetic drops should be preferred over anesthetic gel as the latter may interfere with povidone-iodine contact with the conjunctiva/injection site

• Reapply povidone-iodine after anesthetic drop use. Before injection, povidone-iodine (5%) should be the last agent applied to the intended injection site

• The surgeon/staff/patient should minimize speaking on table during preparation or during the injection procedure to minimize the spread of aerosolized droplets containing oral contaminants (e.g., Streptococcus viridans)[5,6]

• Conjuctival displacement and hemisphere of injection have not effect on the risk of infection[7]

• Routine anterior chamber paracentesis is not recommended.

Figure 2.

(a-d) Procedure of cleaning and draping before intravitreal injection

Drug Procurement

• Drugs should be purchased from authorized Roche dealers with proper receipt

• Batch number of each vial should be noted in a register before opening the vial and the records should be maintained which might help to track before opening it

• Cold chain should be maintained at each stage (2°–8°, never freeze the vial), especially at dealer's storage facility, transport to the hospital and in the hospital with proper temperature log maintenance.

Multiple Injections from One Vial

1. Ideally - Compounding pharmacy to prepare single-dose ampoules/aliquots should be practiced in sterile laboratories with Class 10 facility under laminar flow hood [Fig. 3]

2. Prepare multiple syringes by single puncture of vial under the laminar hood. Store the syringes in sterile container at the proper temperature. Such syringes may be stored with minimal degradation of anti-VEGF activity.[8] Send two such syringes for culture. If culture negative, use the syringes for injection. The stored syringes should be discarded after 2 weeks

3. In case facility for above two not available - Pool up to seven patients on the day of injection. Prepare seven aliquots of around 0.2 ml per syringe (one syringe for one patient) inside the OT by single puncture of the vial after proper scrubbing and using aseptic technique. Re-cap the syringes with fresh sterile needles. Keep these syringes on a sterile surface. Only use these for the patients in the same session. Discard the vial - It is NOT to be reused or repunctured.

Figure 3.

Air curtains and laminar flow-hood facility (Class 10) at our center for sterile dispensing of bevacizumab vial into single dose ampoules

Management of Postintravitreal Endophthalmitis

• Postinjection endophthalmitis (PIE) has an early presentation and worse prognosis, especially with streptococcus viridians as a causative pathogen[5]

• The treatment in postintravitreal endophthalmitis should be more aggressive, and early surgical intervention should be preferred in postintravitreal endophthalmitis with persistent vitritis as compared to postoperative endophthalmitis

Avastin – As a Drug

Numerous trials enrolling thousands of patients performed worldwide have shown similar efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin^®) compared to other anti-VEGF. Bevacizumab thus has an added advantage of decreasing the economic burden of treatment by significantly reducing the cost of therapy, especially in our country with limited access to resources by the population. Bevacizumab as an anti-VEGF preparation has been placed in the WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines.

An article on the appropriate preparation of bevacizumab for intravitreal injection by compounding pharmacies has been aptly titled– “Avastin does not blind people, people blind people.”[9] It is essential that we strictly follow the standard guidelines for intravitreal injections and minimize the avoidable complications related to this wonder drug.

About the author

Prof Atul Kumar, MD, FAMS

Prof Atul Kumar underwent residency training in Ophthalmology, followed by senior residency at the Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (RPC-AIIMS), New Delhi. He began his luminous academic career as an Assistant Professor at the Retina Unit at RPCAIIMS in 1987. He further trained in Retina with a fellowship from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA, 1991. Very early in his career, he won the Best Scientific Paper Award at the All India Ophthalmological Society Annual Meeting in 1994 and the International Council of Ophthalmology-Nakajima Award. A consummate academician that he is, Prof Atul Kumar has been a Member of the Editorial Board of Indian Journal of Ophthalmology (IJO) for nine years now. Currently he is the Honorary Editor of IJO. Prof Atul Kumar has 236 publications to date. His achievements include Fellowship of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, India, 2006; prestigious Padma Shri Award by the President of India for his contribution to healthcare in the field of Vitreo-Retinal Diseases and Surgery, 2007; Honorary Vitreo-Retinal Consultant to the Armed Forces, 2015; appointed Advisor, Ophthalmology, Government of India, 2016; and BC Roy Award for Medical Sciences, 2016. He is presently the Chief and Professor at RPC-AIIMS, the National Apex Institute for Ophthalmology. In this role, he has envisioned and spearheaded the rapid pace of development of RPC-AIIMS into one of the very best in the World for patient care, academics, research and training. Prof Atul Kumar is a strong opinion leader in Indian Ophthalmology today, and is most apt to take a stand on the current status of intravitreal bevacizumab in India.