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Published on: February 10, 2012
Magnetic resonance mapping demonstrates benefits of VEGF-induced myocardial angiogenesis
J D Pearlman1, M G Hibberd, M L Chuang
1Charles A. Dana Research Institute, Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
Insights
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy improved blood supply in blocked coronary arteries. This enhanced heart function and reduced damage in a study modeling human heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Coronary occlusive disease is a leading cause of death globally.
- Collateral vessels can prevent myocardial infarction despite coronary artery occlusion.
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes angiogenesis and collateral development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To non-invasively assess the efficacy of VEGF in promoting collateral vessel development in the ischaemic myocardium.
- To quantify the functional benefits of VEGF-induced collateralization using advanced imaging techniques.
- To evaluate VEGF's impact on cardiac function in a preclinical model mimicking human coronary artery disease.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a porcine model of chronic coronary artery occlusion, closely simulating human pathophysiology.
- Employed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and sophisticated image processing to analyze collateral development.
- Conducted a placebo-controlled study to compare VEGF treatment with a control group.
Main Results:
- VEGF treatment resulted in a smaller ischaemic zone compared to placebo.
- Contrast arrival time to the ischaemic myocardium was reduced with VEGF therapy.
- Improved ejection fraction and regional wall thickening were observed in the VEGF-treated group.
Conclusions:
- VEGF infusion effectively stimulates collateral vessel development in the ischaemic heart.
- Enhanced collateral blood supply via VEGF improves both global and regional cardiac function.
- Findings suggest VEGF therapy is a promising strategy for managing coronary artery occlusion and preventing heart attack damage.
Abstract:
Coronary occlusive disease is the leading cause of death in industrial nations and affects one in four adults. Although heart attacks are caused by occlusion of a coronary artery, some patients have occlusions without infarction because they have sufficient collateral vessels providing an alternate pathway for blood supply. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic peptide that can stimulate collateral vessel development in the ischaemic myocardium. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and image processing to identify and quantify non-invasively the benefits related to VEGF infusion on collateral development in the heart. This was accomplished as a placebo-controlled study in the porcine model of chronic ischaemia that most closely mimics the human pathophysiology of progressive coronary occlusion. Image series converted to a space-time map demonstrated that with treatment the ischaemic zone was smaller and the contrast arrival delay was less, which resulted in better ejection fraction and regional wall thickening. These findings demonstrate in a manner applicable to humans, that VEGF improves collateral blood supply, resulting in improved cardiac global and regional function after and in spite of coronary artery occlusion.
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