Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Collateral formation is insufficient in some patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Peripheral blood CD14++CD16(+) monocytes (intermediate monocytes; IM) and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are associated with formation of collateral circulation. METHODS: We enrolled 49 patients with AMI who underwent emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary intervention (PCI) (Group A) and 27 patients underwent delayed PCI 1 week after AMI (Group B). The percentage of circulating IM and levels of VEGFs in circulation were determined on day 8th. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured 3 months after AMI. RESULTS: The peripheral levels of IM and serum VEGF levels on day 8th were significantly higher in patients with well-developed collateral circulation in Group A than those in Group B. The levels of circulating VEGFs in the collateral circulation (+) subgroup in Group B were lower than those in the collateral circulation (-) subgroup. Moreover, the serum VEGF-B186 levels positively correlated with IM. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperacute collateral formation in patients with AMI correlated with a higher percentage of CD14++CD16(+) monocytes and VEGF-B186 levels in the circulation, which was associated with milder left ventricular remodeling. The regulation of CD14++CD16(+) monocytes and VEGF-B may be critical to the formation of collateral circulation and to healing AMI.