Predicted Value of Serial Measurements of Circulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-1 in Arterial Hypertension Patients after Acute Ischemic Stroke

The aim of the study was to investigate the predictive value of serial measurements of circulating vascular endothelial growth factor-1 (VEGF-1) level in hypertensive patients after ischemic stroke.
Methods: 102 patients with mild to moderate arterial hypertension within 3 weeks after ischemic stroke were included in the study. The circulating VEGF-1 level was assessed at baseline and after six months of baseline. Clinical interviews were conducted every month for 1 year after baseline. It was determined cardiovascular outcomes as clinical events: recurrent stroke or TIA, ischemic heart disease, sudden death, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular events, including chronic heart failure and the need for hospitalization for these reasons.
Results: Analysis has been showed that increased VEGF-1 concentration within six months after ischemic stroke has positively associated with incidence of cardiovascular events, when compared with individuals without increased circulating levels of VEGF-1. Adjusted odds ratio for the occurrence of cumulative cardiovascular events in hypertension patients with VEGF-1 at baseline more 403.57 pg/ml, when compared with lower concentrations of one was 4.11 (95% CI=2.66-7.28; P=0.001), and an increased sixth month circulating VEGF-1 over 450.15 pg/ml, when compared with lower concentrations of one was associated with adjusted odds ratio 5.46 (95% CI =3.12-7.90; P=0.001). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the occurrence of cumulative cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients with incremented circulating VEGF-1 versus subjects without such VEGF-1 level changes defined by serial measurements was 6.10 (95% CI = 4.70-8.30, P = 0.001).
In conclusion, we found that incremented circulating VEGF-1 level is an independent predictor of 1 year cumulative cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients after ischemic stroke.