Vascular endothelial growth factor and myocardial electrical inhomogeneity in alcohol-dependent young people

The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between the serum concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor and myocardial electrical inhomogeneity in alcohol-dependent young patients. Materials and Methods. The study enrolled 60 patients: 30 men (37.23±4.38 years old) and 30 women (35.97±4.60 years old). During hospitalization all patients were diagnosed with acute alcohol intoxication and alcohol dependence syndrome of the second stage. The control group consisted of healthy individuals: 15 men (34.20±6.33 years old) and 15 women (32.86±6.88 years old). Q-Td interval dispersion was assessed using a high-resolution ECG device “Poly-Spectrum 8/EX" (Russia) in 12 standard leads. The ethanol concentration in the blood was determined with Agilent 6850 (USA). Serum concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was assessed in blood serum using a set of Vector-Best reagents (Russia) on an immunoassay analyzer Hospitex diagnostics Plate Screen (Italy). Results. During acute alcohol intoxication, gender differences were characterized by a higher frequency of Q-Td occurrence (>50 ms) in men, if compared with women. The changes in the frequency of Q-Td pathological dispersion in the withdrawal period were unidirectional and they were characterized by an increase in both men and women, with some predominance among men. The indicator values of myocardial electrical inhomogeneity in both acute and withdrawal periods were higher in men. Significant differences in the electrophysiological parameters of the heart and serum VEGF concentration were revealed in examined patients and in the control group. These parameters increased in alcohol-dependent individuals. The withdrawal period was accompanied by negative dynamics of Q-Td interval dispersion increase in men and women. At the same time, the severity of the changes was significantly higher in women than in men. Conclusion. The maximum alcohol-induced increase in VEGF concentration was observed during the period of acute intoxication. An increase in serum VEGF concentration was associated with myocardial electrical inhomogeneity.