Soluble endothelial adhesion molecule concentration in patients with aortic coarctation

Coarctation of aorta (CoA) is often associated with development of vascular abnormalities and hypertension despite successful correction. The aim of the study was to compare concentrations of adhesion molecules and interleukin-6 (IL-6), an inflammatory cytokine in following groups: children with CoA before operation, chidren with CoA after operation, and healthy control children. Seventeen children with CoA and 18 healthy children (control) were investigated. Blood samples were taken 1 day preoperatively and during followup (10.2+/-7.5 months). Serum concentrations of soluble E- and L-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). On arms, systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased after surgery. On legs, only systolic, but not diastolic, blood pressure increased significantly. There was no difference in the concentrations of IL-6, sE-, sL-selectin, or sICAM-1 before and after CoA repair. Postoperative ICAM-1 concentration in children with CoA was significantly higher compared to control (321.7+/-93.4 versus 248.8+/-84.3 ng/mL, P=.002). Only preoperative concentration of L-selectin was higher in children with CoA compared to control (1617.7+/-387.5 ng/mL versus 1271.1+/-266.6 ng/mL). The correction of CoA leads to normalization of leukocyte activity. The markers of endothelial damage and proinflammatory activity are not significantly changed by correction of CoA in young children.