Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor level is elevated in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been implicated in both angiogenesis and ischemia. However, the relationship between plasma VEGF level and coronary artery disease remains unknown. Hypothesis: Plasma VEGF level may be associated with severe coronary artery disease and other cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: We examined plasma VEGF concentration and coronary risk factors in 73 patients who underwent coronary angiography and 70 apparently healthy control subjects. According to the number of the three major coronary vessels with significant (≥ 75%) stenosis, we divided the patients into two groups: the mild stenosis group (0- and single-vessel disease, n = 36) and the severe stenosis group (double- and triple-vessel disease, n = 37). Results: The log VEGF value of the severe stenosis group was significantly higher than that of the mild stenosis (p < 0.05) and control groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant positive trend in the log VEGF value according to the number of vessels with significant stenosis (p = 0.016). However, there was no significant difference in log VEGF value between the mild stenosis and control groups. Soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule, soluble intracellular adhesion molecule, and other coronary risk factors were found to be associated with the presence of vessel stenosis. Conclusion: Unlike established coronary risk factors, the plasma VEGF level may be associated with only severe coronary ischemia such as multiple coronary vessel disease.