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Updated: Mar 9, 2026
A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology
Published on: February 7, 2015
Thicker carotid intima-media thickness and increased plasma VEGF levels suffered by post-acute thrombotic stroke
Yuyun Yueniwati1, Ni Komang Darmiastini1, Eko Arisetijono2
1Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia.
Insights
This study found no direct link between atherosclerosis severity (CIMT) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in stroke patients. However, VEGF levels were elevated in all patients, suggesting a broader response to ischemic conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Atherosclerosis impairs oxygen supply, triggering angiogenesis factors like VEGF.
- Platelet factor 4 (PF4) acts as an anti-angiogenic chemokine by inhibiting VEGF.
- Understanding the relationship between atherosclerosis markers and VEGF in stroke is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and plasma VEGF levels in patients post-thrombotic stroke.
- To assess the diagnostic potential of CIMT and VEGF in evaluating vascular conditions in stroke patients.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 25 patients 7-90 days post-thrombotic stroke.
- Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) measured sonographically.
- Plasma VEGF-A levels quantified using ELISA; data analyzed with Pearson correlation.
Main Results:
- 88% of patients showed CIMT thickening (1.202 ± 0.312 mm).
- All patients exhibited elevated plasma VEGF (178.28 ± 93.96 ng/mL).
- No significant correlation found between CIMT and plasma VEGF (p=0.741), but CIMT correlated with cholesterol and LDL.
Conclusions:
- No significant correlation between CIMT and plasma VEGF in post-thrombotic stroke patients.
- Plasma VEGF levels increase in thrombotic stroke patients.
- CIMT is a promising noninvasive vascular assessment tool; plasma VEGF is less specific due to systemic ischemic triggers.
Background And Objectives:
Atherosclerosis causes reduction of the oxygen supply to structures in the far arterial wall, provoking the release of factors that drive angiogenesis of vasa vasorum, including VEGF. Other studies have revealed the inflammatory response in atherosclerosis and the role of platelet factor 4 (PF4) as an anti-angiogenic chemokine through the inhibition of VEGF. This cross-sectional study aims at measuring the effect of atherosclerosis assessed through carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) against plasma VEGF levels in patients with post-acute thrombotic stroke.
Materials And Methods:
CIMT was assessed sonographically using GE Logiq S6 with 13 MHz frequency linear probe. VEGF-A plasma levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Differences among variables were compared statistically. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation.
Results:
A total of 25 patients with post-acute thrombotic stroke were identified in days 7 to 90. CIMT thickening was indicated in 88% of patients (1.202 ± 0.312 mm), while an increase in plasma VEGF was identified in all patients (178.28 ± 93.96 ng/mL). There was no significant correlation between CIMT and plasma VEGF levels in patients with post-acute thrombotic stroke (p=0.741). A significant correlation was recognized between CIMT and total cholesterol (p=0.029) and low-density lipoprotein (p=0.018).
Conclusion:
There were no significant correlations between CIMT and plasma VEGF levels in patients with post-acute thrombotic stroke. However, plasma VEGF increased in patients with thrombotic stroke. CIMT measurement is a promising noninvasive modality to assess the vascular condition of patients with stroke and diabetes, while plasma VEGF cannot specifically assess vascular condition as it can be triggered by ischemic conditions in tissues of the whole body.
