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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was studied as a substitute endpoint for treatment response after VEGF plasmid therapy. The effect of coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on systemic VEGF levels are however largely unknown, therefore, we studied the effect of this procedure to measure VEGF levels after surgery alone. METHODS: Fourteen patients requiring CABG were included. VEGF165 levels, ischemic markers, and hematology were measured before, directly after six days after surgery. RESULTS: VEGF165 in serum and whole blood levels were increased up to six days after CABG, respectively 249.6±50.4 to 451.7±56.4 (day 6) and 581.9±105.1 to 783.4±97.7 (day six). There was a close correlation of circulating VEGF165 with leukocyte counts and platelets and not with ischemic markers. CONCLUSION: Following surgery and in case of activated leukocyte and platelet counts care must be taken in the interpretation of systemic VEGF165 levels.