Circulating vascular endothelial growth factor in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: from bench to bedside

The aim of the mini review is discuss the controversial role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family members in prediction of clinical outcomes in acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Recent studies have shown that high levels of circulating VEGF in STEMI may characterize patients with extensive intracoronary thrombosis, as well as it could associate with favorable clinical outcomes. Although VEGF-A mediated angiogenesis and vasodilation, it was able to promote expression of cell adhesion molecules, such as E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in surface of endothelial cells, and up-regulated permeability, pro-coagulant activity and inflammation of microvasculature. Yet, exon 8 of VEGF-A gene is involved in the alternate splicing that determines whether the VEGF-A proteins are pro-angiogenic isoform or antiangiogenic isoform of VEGF-A. Moreover, anti-angiogenic potency of VEGF-A165b isoform can influence on developing of adverse cardiac remodeling and plaque rupture. In the review is reported that predictive value of VEGF family member predominantly 10 Alexander E. Berezin and Alexander A. Berezin VEGF-A needs to be investigated in future, because there are several controversial in interpretation of changes in VEGF levels in STEMI