Thicker carotid intima-media thickness and increased plasma VEGF levels suffered by post-acute thrombotic stroke patients

Abstract

Background and objectivesAtherosclerosis causes reduction of the oxygen supply to structures in the far arterial wall, provoking the release of factors that drive angiogenesis of vasa vasorum, including VEGF. Other studies have revealed the inflammatory response in atherosclerosis and the role of platelet factor 4 (PF4) as an anti-angiogenic chemokine through the inhibition of VEGF. This cross-sectional study aims at measuring the effect of atherosclerosis assessed through carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) against plasma VEGF levels in patients with post-acute thrombotic stroke.Materials and methodsCIMT was assessed sonographically using GE Logiq S6 with 13 MHz frequency linear probe. VEGF-A plasma levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Differences among variables were compared statistically. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation.ResultsA total of 25 patients with post-acute thrombotic stroke were identified in days 7 to 90. CIMT thickening was indicated in 88% of patients (1.202 ± 0.312 mm), while an increase in plasma VEGF was identified in all patients (178.28 ± 93.96 ng/mL). There was no significant correlation between CIMT and plasma VEGF levels in patients with post-acute thrombotic stroke (p=0.741). A significant correlation was recognized between CIMT and total cholesterol (p=0.029) and low-density lipoprotein (p=0.018).ConclusionThere were no significant correlations between CIMT and plasma VEGF levels in patients with post-acute thrombotic stroke. However, plasma VEGF increased in patients with thrombotic stroke. CIMT measurement is a promising noninvasive modality to assess the vascular condition of patients with stroke and diabetes, while plasma VEGF cannot specifically assess vascular condition as it can be triggered by ischemic conditions in tissues of the whole body.

Association of Carotid Atherosclerosis With Lipid Components in Asymptomatic Low-Income Chinese: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…Stroke was the leading cause of death and the third most common cause of disability in China between 1990 and 2017 (1,2). The most common type of stroke is thrombotic stroke, and atherosclerosis is the most common cause (3). Thus, early detection and management of individuals at high risk is critical to prevent or delay otherwise inevitable end-events.…”

An Evaluation of Plasma TNF, VEGF-A, and IL-6 Determination as a Risk Marker of Atherosclerotic Vascular Damage in Early-Onset CAD Patients

“…Another study [59] failed to confirm a change in plasma VEGF levels and anatomical location of the coronary artery, aortic root, coronary sinus, and femoral vein immediately after angioplasty in CAD cases. Similarly, in another study [60], there was no significant correlation between plasma VEGF levels and carotid intima-media thickness in post-acute thrombotic stroke cases 90 days after stroke onset. The authors concluded that plasma VEGF cannot specifically assess vascular status because it can be induced by ischemic conditions in tissues throughout the body.…”

The Role of Biomarkers in Atherothrombotic Stroke—A Systematic Review

“…Increased VEGF values in atherothrombotic stroke patients were observed without a significant correlation with carotid IMT value in the post-acute phase [167].…”