Abstract

Methods:

Hypertensive patients are at particular risk of thrombotic and atherosclerotic complications. Endothelial damage and abnormal angiogenesis play an important role in precipitating these thrombotic events. We analysed plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF, a marker for endothelial damage) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, an index of angiogenesis) using ELISA methods in 177 consecutive hypertensives (130 male, mean age 62 (SD8) years) and 21 controls (11 male, mean age 58 (SD5) years). Subjects were assessed for cardiovascular risk factors including age, sex, smoking habit, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, left ventricular hypertrophy on ECG, and diabetes mellitus. Using the Framingham risk calculator a coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke risk score were derived. Risk scores from the combined group were correlated (Spearman's method) with plasma levels of vWF and VEGF. (See Table)

ResultsCHD riskStroke risk
Rp-valueRp-value
vWF0.209<0.010.280<0.05
VEGF0.263<0.010.286<0.01
ResultsCHD riskStroke risk
Rp-valueRp-value
vWF0.209<0.010.280<0.05
VEGF0.263<0.010.286<0.01
ResultsCHD riskStroke risk
Rp-valueRp-value
vWF0.209<0.010.280<0.05
VEGF0.263<0.010.286<0.01
ResultsCHD riskStroke risk
Rp-valueRp-value
vWF0.209<0.010.280<0.05
VEGF0.263<0.010.286<0.01
Conclusion:

Results are presented as correlation coefficient (R) and p-value. Apart from a borderline significant correlation between VEGF and total cholesterol (R=0.189, p=0.046), there was no statistically significant correlations between vWF or VEGF and the individual risk factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor and endothelial damage as assessed by vWF are correlated with the cerebrovascular and coronary heart disease risk according to the Framingham equation. These markers of endothelial damage and angiogenesis might assist in evaluating the cardio- and cerebrovascular risk profile of hypertensive patients.

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