Plasma VEGF levels and their relation to right ventricular function in pulmonary hypertension.

A protective role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on right heart function has been reported only in animal studies of pulmonary hypertension. Twenty patients with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension and fifteen healthy volunteers were involved. Plasma VEGF levels were compared to right heart parameters. Plasma VEGF levels tended to be higher in patients (82/0-345/pg/ml) than in controls (48/0-141/pg/ml, p = 0.08) with a significant correlation between VEGF concentration and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE; p = 0.03, r = 0.48). This is the first study to report a positive association between elevated plasma VEGF levels and right heart function in humans.