SERUM BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH ISCHEMIC-HEART-DISEASE

Background: Being a potent promoter of endothelial and smooth muscle c ell proliferation, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is presumed t o play a key role in coronary collateral development and atherogenesis . Purpose: To characterize serum bFGF levels in patients with ischemic heart disease. Methods: The study population consisted of patients wi th angina (n=33) and after uncomplicated myocardial infarction (n=12). The number of significantly stenosed (greater than or equal to 50%) v essels and angiographic coronary collateral score were noted. Blood wa s drawn immediately prior to elective coronary angiography in study pa tients for bFGF levels. Twenty healthy, age-matched subjects served as control for serum bFGF. Results: Serum bFGF levels were undetectable in all 20 control subjects, but were detectable in 15/33 (45%) patient s with angina and 3/12 (25%) post-infarction patients, respectively (P =0.002). Serum bFGF levels were detectable in 13/23 (57%) patients wit h 0- or 1-vessel disease, as compared with 5/22 (23%) patients with 2- or 3-vessel disease (P<0.05). Detectable serum bFGF levels were not i n correlation with coronary collateral score (P=1). Conclusions: Serum levels of bFGF are elevated in patients with ischemic heart disease, particularly in those with minimal coronary artery disease. We postula te that detectable serum bFGF levels reflect active atherogenesis rath er than myocardial collateral development. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science I reland Ltd.