Evaluation of the effects of different treatment modalities on angiogenesis in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction via VEGF and sVEGFR-1

Abstract

Objective: In this study, our aim was to investigate the clinical significance of VEGF, sVEGFR-1 in HFpEF patients. Materials and methods: Seventy-two participants enrolled in this cross-sectional case-control study including HFpEF patients (n = 41) and healthy (n = 31) subjects. Blood samples were collected and serum VEGF, sVEGFR-1 analysis, and transthoracic echocardiography were performed. Results and discussion: The average sVEGFR-1 level of HFpEF patient group was significantly higher than the control group (respectively 0.136 ng/L (0.04-0.34), 0.06 ng/L (0.01-0.25); p < 0.001). The average VEGF level of HFpEF patients using beta blocker was significantly higher than the HFpEF patients not using it (respectively 0.585 +/- 0.194 ng/L; 0.349 +/- 0.269 ng/L; p = 0.025). The average VEGF level of HFpEF patients using statins was significantly higher than the HFpEF patients without a medication (respectively 0.607 +/- 0.099 ng/L; 0.359 +/- 0.273 ng/L; p = 0.038). Conclusion: Our study is the first study demonstrating the relations among HFpEF, accompanying morbidities, VEGF and sVEGFR-1 levels. Statins and beta blockers may have positive effects on angiogenesis in HFrEF patients via increasing VEGF levels.