EVEREST study report 4: Fluorescein angiography features predictive of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Abstract

Importance: It is important to identify features of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) that differentiate it from typical neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) on various imaging modalities, including fluorescein angiography (FA). Background: PCV was thought to be indistinguishable from nAMD using FA alone. In real-world practice, indocyanine-green angiography may often be unavailable or contraindicated. Design: Analysis of FA images from a prospective, multicentre study. Participants: Study images of both PCV and nAMD patients from the EVEREST study. Methods: FA features at baseline were independently graded by masked graders (fellowship-trained ophthalmologists) using standardized diagnostic algorithms. Main Outcome Measures: Predictive indicators (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values) for PCV. Results: Of the 95 patients screened, 61 had PCV. Of the 34 screening failures, 15 were diagnosed as nAMD. Hyperfluorescent nodules on FA were observed in 80% of patients with PCV vs 20% with nAMD (P < 0.001). Blocked fluorescence on FA, which corresponded to the presence of subretinal haemorrhage, occurred more frequently among patients with PCV vs nAMD (61.7% vs 13.3%, P = 0.001). Similarly, the leakage characteristic of occult choroidal neovascularization occurred more frequently among patients with PCV vs nAMD (95.0% vs 73.3%, P = 0.026). The positive predictive value for PCV was 94.1% for hyperfluorescent nodules, 94.9% for blocked fluorescence, 83.8% for occult choroidal neovascularization and 82.0% for pigment epithelial detachment. Conclusions and Relevance: This study demonstrated that certain FA features can be predictive of PCV and may be considered as an indication for retina specialists to perform indocyanine green angiography as confirmatory test.