Background: The process of collateral vessel maturation is stimulated by numerous factors affecting the endothelium and smooth muscle cells building the vessel wall. Looking for arteriogenesis stimulating factors means looking for a potential innovative heart failure treatment method in the patients unresponsive to traditional therapies.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory factor IL-6, growth factors FGF (FGFa, FGFb, FGFbH), HGF, VEGF and endostatin in heart failure patients in relation to the coronary collaterals development stage.
Material and methods: This study included 22 patients with chronic heart failure NYHA II or III (mean age 62.5 ± 11.6 years) and 8 control patients (mean age 58.4 ± 10.7 years). Coronary angiography was performed and the presence and grade of collateral circulation was assessed by a four-level scale proposed by Rentrop and Cohen. The level of the studied factors was determined in the blood samples collected during the angiographic procedure.
Results: The concentration of IL-6 was significantly higher in the heart failure patients than in the control group (p < 0.001) and in NYHA III vs. NYHA II patients (p < 0.02). Patients with heart failure and collaterals grade 1 or 2 exhibited higher serum concentrations of FGFbH (from p < 0.03 to p < 0.01). The serum VEGF level in NYHA III patients was significantly higher than in NYHA II individuals (from p < 0.03 to p < 0.01).
Conclusions: Higher levels of IL-6 and FGFbH were observed in patients with heart failure. Collaterals formation seems to be associated with the activation of pro-inflammatory factors, growth factors and endostatin.