E-selectin and sICAM-1, biomarkers of endothelial function, predict recurrence of venous thromboembolism

Risk factors for atherosclerosis and venous thromboembolism (VTE) overlap and are mostly associated with endothelial dysfunction (ED). We hypothesized that ED is present in patients after the first episode of acute pulmonary embolism (APE) and predicts the risk of VTE recurrence.

Patients, at least 6months after the first episode of symptomatic, confirmed APE were included in this case-control study. The exclusion criteria were risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and other conditions associated with endothelial dysfunction. Eighty two patients (aged 38±11years; 44 M; 38 F) were enrolled in the study, 39 after provoked APE, 43 after unprovoked APE, and 30 controls (C) (aged 38±12years; 15 M, 15 F). In order to evaluate the endothelial function in patients with a history of APE flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery and biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction (sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, ADMA, E-selectin) were measured. Subsequently all patients were followed up in an outpatient clinic for VTE recurrence.

FMD was more often impaired in APE patients than in controls (5.3% (0.8-20.3) vs. 13.8% (4.1-24.3); p<0.0001). Biomarker levels differed between APE and C groups: sVCAM-1 (631ng/ml (105-2382) vs. 495ng/ml (348-934); p=0.04) and sICAM-1 (679ng/ml (279-1006) vs. 600ng/ml (394-766); p=0.002). There were 19 recurrences of VTE during the at least 12-month follow-up (15 with history of unprovoked-APE and 4 after provoked-APE). E-selectin ≥39ng/ml and sICAM-1≤655ng/ml indicated the group without recurrence of VTE. In a group of 43 unprovoked APE patients both E-selectin<39ng/ml and sICAM-1>655ng/ml were found in 17 subjects. Eleven of them (65%) were diagnosed with recurrent VTE.

Endothelial function is significantly impaired in patients after an episode of APE as indicated by FMD assessment and biomarker levels. Low concentrations of E-selectin and high levels of sICAM-1 are associated with a high risk of recurrent thromboembolism.