Relationship of VEGF/receptors level with hemodynamic parameters in cyanotic congenital heart disease with diminished pulmonary flow

  • Sedef Tunaoglu, Gazi University, Medical Faculty, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Turkey
  • Ilknur Aslan, Gazi University, Medical Faculty, Department of Pediatrics, Turkey
  • Velit Halit, Gazi University, Medical Faculty, Department of Cardiovascular surgery, Turkey
  • Serdar Kula, Gazi University, Medical Faculty, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Turkey
  • Rana Olguntürk, Gazi University, Medical Faculty, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Turkey

    • Tetralogy of Fallot (TF) is most frequently seen cyanotic congenital heart disease with diminished pulmonary flow causes hypoxia and elevated serum VEGF levels in patients were reported in cyanotic congenital heart disease. Despite of these potent stimulators, pulmonary vascular development is not sufficient in some patients with TF. This study was planned to investigated the relationship of serum VEGF levels and VEGF receptors of pulmonary vascular bed in patients with TF.
    Method: Twenty-four patients who were undergoing open-heart surgery were included the study. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 ( Cyanotic group : 13 patients with TF; 4F, 9M; mean age: 29±13.8 months); Group 2 ( Acyanotic group: 11 patients with ASD, VSD, PDA; 8F, 3M; mean age: 48±30.7 months). Lung biopsies were taken during operation from patients in cyanotic group for VEGF receptors .
    Results: VEGF levels were negatively correlated with arterial oxygen saturation in Group 1, since there was no correlation in Group 2. Arterial VEGF levels were significantly elevated in Group 2 compared with Group1 ( 222,9 ±219,9 vs 59,5 ±54,8 pg/ml). There was no significant difference in pulmonary artery VEGF levels between groups ( Group2: 128,5 ±161,9, Group 1: 61,5 ±57,2 pg/ml ) VEGF tissue staining were find negative in 11 of 13 patients in Group1. KDR/Flk-1 receptors were find positive in 11 patients of group 1. Flt-1 receptors were find positive in 6 patients.
    Conclusion: Further studies are required on VEGF/receptor relationship, gene expression and production in patients with diminished pulmonary flow.