Title: Plasma Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) In Ischemic Stroke – A Comparative Study

Authors: Dr Divya A S, Dr Minny Mary Mammen, Dr Thomas Iype

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i3.152

Abstract

Background: Studies done elsewhere in stroke have shown that there is elevated VEGF in patients with ischemic stroke and it can be used as a biomarker in ischemic stroke for early diagnosis and treatment. But human studies are limited in our set up. Hence the present study is carried out to compare the level of VEGF in ischemic stroke patients and asymptomatic individuals from general population.

Aim: To compare the level of Plasma VEGF level in patients with ischemic stroke with equal number of age and sex matched normal individuals without stroke.

Materials and Methods: Hospital based cross sectional study. Newly diagnosed ischemic stroke patients, diagnosed by CT scan and clinical signs and symptoms in the age group 40 to 65 years admitted in The Department of Neurology were included as cases , Equal number of age and sex matched individuals without stroke from general population were also included for comparison. The sample size was calculated to be 24 patients and 24 controls. After taking informed consent, 5ml fasting blood samples drawn into plain and EDTA –Na F containing bottles from antecubital vein. Plasma VEGF   was determined by ELISA method. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for windows version 20.The mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables and percentage for qualitative variables were calculated for 24 ischemic stroke patients and 24 age and sex matched asymptomatic individuals from general population. Differences in means of quantitative variables between the two groups were compared by student t test. Chi square test was used to compare differences in the percentage of qualitative variables between the groups .A P value of less than 0.05 is considered significant.

Results: Plasma VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) is increased in the stroke group with mean value 245.52 ± 91.57pg / ml compared to the mean VEGF in non-stroke individuals, which is 103.32 ± 51.65 pg / ml. Student t test was done to analyze the difference in mean VEGF  levels between these groups and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p value < 0.001).

Conclusion: There is significant increase in plasma vascular endothelial Growth Factor in ischemic stroke patients.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Divya A S

Departments of Biochemstry and Neurology

Government Medical College Thiruvananthapuram