Prognostic usefulness of IL-6 and VEGF for the occurrence of changes in coronary arteries of patients with stable angina and implanted stents

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of in - terleukin 6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with chronic coronary artery disease treated who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation, for assessing the risk of resteno - sis and the occurrence of de novo lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 498 patients with stable angina were examined during 18 months. 50 patients with significant (> 70%) stenosis of one coronary artery, eligible for the implantation of one stent, were enrolled to the study. Il-6 and VEGF level was measured using ELISA im - munoassays during the initial coronary angiog - raphy with simultaneous angioplasty and stent implantation and 4 weeks after stent implanta - tion. Coronary angiography was carried out 8-12 months after stent implantation. RESULTS: Statistically significant increase in IL-6 (from 4.02 ± 4.40 to 10.90 ± 8.23) and VEGF (from 310.13 ± 50.90 to 392.32 ± 106.84) level was observed 4 weeks after stent implantation in the group with restenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of IL-6 and VEGF in the peripheral blood of patients with chronic stable angina pectoris, measured 4 weeks after coronary angioplasty with stent im - plantation, may indicate an increased risk of an - giographic restenosis and de novo coronary artery lesions.