Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Demonstrating a Linear Relationship Between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Luteinizing Hormone in Kidney Cortex Extracts
Published on: January 22, 2020
Vascular endothelial growth factor in serum indicates cardiovascular risk in urology patients
Robert G Hahn1, Li Yin, Jan Ekengren
1Stockholm South Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. r.hahn@telia.com
Insights
High vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in the blood indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death in urology patients. This finding suggests VEGF as a potential biomarker for cardiovascular risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Urology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is implicated in prostate growth and chronic ischemia.
- Elevated VEGF levels may correlate with increased cardiovascular risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum VEGF concentration and the risk of cardiovascular disease and death in urology patients.
Main Methods:
- Serum VEGF levels were measured in 219 males (mean age 72) with lower urinary tract symptoms.
- Cardiovascular events and survival data were tracked for up to 10 years.
Main Results:
- Patients in the highest VEGF quartile (>500 pg/ml) showed increased risk for cardiovascular disease (HR 2.18), myocardial infarction (HR 3.36), and stroke (HR 3.98).
- Elevated VEGF was also linked to a higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR 1.74).
- These risks became apparent 2-5 years post-sampling.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum VEGF is a significant risk factor for subsequent cardiovascular disease development.
- VEGF may serve as a predictive biomarker for cardiovascular events in urological patients.
Objective:
We hypothesized that a high serum concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a cytokine involved in prostate growth which is also upregulated in chronic ischemia, indicates an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death in urology patients.
Material And Methods:
The serum VEGF concentration was measured in 219 males (mean age 72 years) who sought medical attention because of lower urinary tract symptoms. Data on cardiovascular events and survival were obtained from the hospital registry of Stockholm County and the Death Registry over a period of up to 10 years (mean 6.2 years).
Results:
After adjusting for the effects of age and smoking, patients with a serum VEGF level in the upper 20% of the cohort (>500 pg/ml) had an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (hazard ratio 2.18; 95% CI 1.04-4.60), including acute myocardial infarction (3.36; 1.35-8.41) and stroke (3.98; 1.61-9.86). They also had an increased risk of death (1.74; 1.01-3.00). These differences from patients with a lower serum VEGF concentration (<300 pg/ml) were manifested 2-5 years after the blood sample was taken.
Conclusion:
An elevated VEGF level in peripheral blood was a risk factor for subsequent development of cardiovascular disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:20Vascular Resistance
The primary determinants of vascular resistance are vessel diameter, blood viscosity, and vessel length. Among these, vessel diameter plays the most significant role due to the fourth power relationship described by...