Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor and serum soluble angiopoietin receptor sTIE-2 in patients with dural arteriovenous fistulas: a pilot study

Our aim was to correlate concentrations of circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and serum soluble angiopoietin receptor (sTIE-2) before and after endovascular treatment with the grading in human dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs). In ten patients with DAVFs undergoing diagnostic cerebral angiography and endovascular intervention, pre-treatment and post-treatment levels of plasma VEGF and serum TIE-2 were examined in a prospective study design. A total of 32 plasma samples and 19 serum samples was collected from the cubital vein, the arterial sheath before and--if applicable--after intervention. Plasma VEGF and serum Tie-2 levels were measured by standardized ELISA protocols. In eight of ten patients with DAVF increased circulating VEGF levels (elevation of more than mean + 2 SD of published normal values) were found, whereas two patients showed increased sTIE-2 levels. Six of the seven patients treated by endovascular embolization displayed a post-interventional decrease of VEGF values. The serum TIE-2 levels decreased slightly after intervention. Pre-treatment vVEGF levels varied significantly between patients with grades I and II/III fistulas according to the Cognards classification system. Our pilot study suggests that assessment of angiogenesis parameters in patients with DAVFs might correlate with the DAVFs' grade. To support the hypothesis that a change in angiogenic indicators may serve as indicators for a response to therapy, a larger number of patients should be followed for a longer time period.