Serum VEGF levels in acute ischaemic strokes are correlated with long-term prognosis.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated whether serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in acute-stage ischaemic stroke patients with small vessel disease (SVD) or large vessel disease (LVD) are correlated with long-term prognoses, based on the difference in NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores between acute and chronic stages.


METHODS
From March 2007 to May 2008, we evaluated patients who experienced an ischaemic stroke for the first time, defined as SVD (n = 89) or LVD (n = 91) using the TOAST classification. Serum samples were taken immediately after admission (within 24 h of stroke onset) to evaluate VEGF levels. After 3 months, follow-up NIHSS scores were collected for all patients.


RESULTS
Serum VEGF levels in the acute stage (within 24 h of stroke onset) were higher in the LVD group than in the SVD group and were correlated with infarction volume. The increase in serum VEGF levels in the acute stage was proportional to an improved NIHSS score after 3 months. After adjustment for covariates, serum VEGF levels in the acute stage were still significantly correlated with the long-term prognosis of ischaemic stroke.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum VEGF levels are correlated with long-term prognoses in acute ischaemic stroke patients.
Lee
S-C
SC
Department of Neurology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
K-Y
KY
Kim
Y-J
YJ
Kim
S H
SH
Koh
S-H
SH
Lee
Y J
YJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A