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Updated: Apr 26, 2026
Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty
Published on: January 28, 2020
Prognostic value of VEGF in patients submitted to percutaneous coronary intervention
Catarina Ramos1, Patrícia Napoleão2, Mafalda Selas3
1Instituto de Biociências e Bioengenharia (IBB), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal ; Serviço de Cardiologia, Hospital de Santa Marta, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, 1069-024 Lisboa, Portugal.
Insights
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) levels in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients increase after percutaneous coronary intervention. Low baseline VEGF (<40.8 pg/mL) predicts major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in CAD patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biomarkers
- Angiogenesis
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a common revascularization strategy for CAD.
- Predictive biomarkers for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after PCI are crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal changes in Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) levels post-PCI in CAD patients.
- To determine if baseline VEGF levels can predict MACE in CAD patients.
- To explore factors influencing VEGF level dynamics after revascularization.
Main Methods:
- Serum VEGF levels were measured in 94 CAD patients at baseline, 1 month, and 1 year after PCI.
- VEGF concentrations were compared between CAD patients and healthy controls.
- Correlation between baseline VEGF and 5-year MACE was analyzed.
- The impact of drug-eluting stent apposition and medication on VEGF evolution was assessed.
Main Results:
- CAD patients exhibited significantly lower baseline VEGF levels compared to healthy controls (15.9 vs 419 pg/mL).
- VEGF levels increased significantly 1 month post-PCI (276 pg/mL) and remained elevated at 1 year (320 pg/mL), approaching control levels.
- A baseline VEGF concentration below 40.8 pg/mL was associated with an increased risk of MACE over a 5-year follow-up.
- Drug-eluting stent apposition and prior medication influenced VEGF level changes post-intervention.
Conclusions:
- VEGF plays a positive role in recovery following PCI in CAD patients.
- Longitudinal VEGF monitoring post-PCI may offer prognostic value for MACE prediction.
- Baseline VEGF levels are an independent predictor of MACE in CAD patients undergoing PCI.
Abstract:
We examined the longitudinal changes of VEGF levels after percutaneous coronary intervention for predicting major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. VEGF was measured in 94 CAD patients' serum before revascularization, 1-month and 1-year after. Independently of clinical presentation, patients had lower VEGF concentration than a cohort of healthy subjects (median, IQ: 15.9, 9.0-264 pg/mL versus 419, 212-758 pg/mL; P < 0.001) at baseline. VEGF increased to 1-month (median, IQ: 276, 167-498 pg/mL; P < 0.001) and remained steady to 1-year (median, IQ: 320, 173-497 pg/mL; P < 0.001) approaching control levels. Drug eluting stent apposition and previous medication intake produced a less steep VEGF evolution after intervention (P < 0.05). Baseline VEGF concentration <40.8 pg/mL conveyed increased risk for MACE in a 5-year follow-up. Results reflect a positive role of VEGF in recovery and support its importance in CAD prognosis.
