Vascular endothelial growth factor in pleural fluid.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship of the pleural fluid vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level with the diagnostic category and with the pleural fluid characteristics in a group of 70 patients.


METHODS
The VEGF levels of consecutive patients undergoing therapeutic thoracentesis were determined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


METHODS
University-affiliated tertiary care center.


RESULTS
The median level of pleural fluid VEGF in the patients with congestive heart failure (150 pg/mL) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the median level in the patients with coronary artery bypass grafting (357 pg/mL), which in turn was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the median levels in the patients with malignancy (1,097 pg/mL). The overlap between groups, however, limits the diagnostic usefulness of pleural fluid VEGF levels. The VEGF level was most closely correlated with the lactate dehydrogenase level (r = 0.42, p < 0.001) and was also significantly correlated with the total pleural fluid protein level. The median VEGF levels in the pleural fluid of patients with breast cancer were significantly lower (p = 0.017) than in those with lung cancer. The VEGF level was very high (3,294 pg/mL) in the one patient with pulmonary embolism.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the VEGF levels in pleural fluid differ significantly from one diagnostic category to another with the highest median levels occurring in patients with malignant pleural effusions. We speculate that VEGF may be responsible for the pleural fluid accumulation in at least some situations.
Cheng
D
D
Department of Medicine, Saint Thomas Hospital, Nashville, TN 37205, USA.
Rodriguez
R M
RM
Perkett
E A
EA
Rogers
J
J
Bienvenu
G
G
Lappalainen
U
U
Light
R W
RW
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000209:etiology; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000737:chemistry; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D011506:Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase