title: The relationship of serum erythropoietin level with coronary collateral grade.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Erythropoietin has been shown to induce neovascularization and protect against ischemic vascular injury. We investigated whether a higher serum erythropoietin (EPO) level is related to better coronary collateral vessel grade.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-nine patients with stable angina pectoris who have at least 1 coronary stenosis of equal to or greater than 70% at coronary angiography were prospectively enrolled. Serum EPO and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were studied. Coronary collateral degree was graded according to the Rentrop method. Patients with grade 2-3 collateral degree were included in the good collateral group and formed Group I. The patients with grade 0-1 collateral degree were included in the poor collateral group and formed Group II.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The serum EPO level was significantly higher in the good collateral group (17.3 ± 9.3 mU/mL vs 11.7 ± 5.0 mU/mL; P < 0.001). There was also a positive correlation between serum EPO level and Rentrop score (r = 0.39; P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, serum EPO level (odds ratio [OR] 1.336; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.120-1.593; P = 0.001), oxygen saturation (OR 0.638; 95% CI, 0.422-0.963; P = 0.033) and presence of chronic total occlusion (CTO) (OR 26.7; 95% CI, 3.874-184.6; P = 0.001) were independently related to well-developed coronary collaterals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher serum EPO level is related to better coronary collateral development. Erythropoietin may have a positive effect on the development of collaterals and may provide a new agent for the treatment strategies to enhance coronary collateral vessel development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Gazi University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. asifesah@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Asife
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahinarslan
authors.forename: Ridvan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yalcin
authors.forename: Sinan Altan
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kocaman
authors.forename: Ugur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ercin
authors.forename: Ali Cevat
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tanalp
authors.forename: Salih
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Topal
authors.forename: Neslihan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bukan
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boyaci
authors.forename: Atiye
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cengel
mesh_terms: D060050:Angina, Stable / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D004921:Erythropoietin