The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between plasma the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A total of 124 patients with AMI undergoing emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were selected, and plasma VEGF levels were measured 7 days after the onset of AMI using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The patients were divided into the L (≤190 pg/ml VEGF) and H (>190 pg/ml VEGF) groups, and were followed up every 2 months for an average of 12 months. MACE were recorded during follow-up. On the basis of these results, the patients were further divided into the MACE and non-MACE (N-MACE) groups, and the serum VEGF concentration was compared between the two groups. At the 6-month follow-up, the incidence of MACE in the H group was found to be significantly reduced compared with the L group. The serum VEGF concentration in the N-MACE group was significantly higher compared with the MACE group. Multinomial logistic regression revealed that reduced VEGF levels (β=1.243; 95% CI, 1.018-1.326; P=0.026) were independent risk factors for MACE. In conclusion, high plasma VEGF levels at 7 days after AMI onset facilitate the long-term prognosis in the same infarct zone in patients with AMI, while low plasma VEGF levels are independent risk factors for MACE.
Keywords: acute myocardial infarction; long-term prognosis; vascular endothelial growth factor.