Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor gene polymorphism (rs2010963) in ST- Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: An Egyptian Pilot Study

ST- segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is the most severe form of coronary artery disease. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) is critical in post- Myocardial Infarction (MI) angiogenesis. VEGF-A (rs2010963) gene polymorphism hasn’t been explored in Egyptian ethnicity. This study aimed to explore the role of the VEGF-A gene (rs2010963) polymorphism in STEMI and its outcome. It was carried out on 50 STEMI patients and 50 controls who gave blood samples for VEGF-A level estimation by ELISA and VEGF-A gene(rs2010963) polymorphism by real-time PCR. We revealed that VEGF-A level was higher in STEMI cases vs. control at baseline and in STEMI cases at 2-weeks vs. baseline. At a cut off value > 20 pg/ml was a statistically significant discriminator of STEMI vs. control [AUC (95% CI) = 0.785 (0.692-0.861), sensitivity 82%, specificity 72%]. Participants with C/G-G/G genotypes of VEGF-A (rs2010963) had 2.8-times higher odds vs. those with C/C genotype to exhibit STEMI. C/G genotype was associated with highest VEGF-A level. STEMI participants with C/G genotype had 4.3-times higher odds vs. those with C/C-G/G genotype to exhibit poor outcome. In conclusions, VEGF-A level can discriminate STEMI cases from control. VEGF-A (rs2010963) gene polymorphism affects VEGF-A level, associated with risk of developing STEMI and affects clinical outcome.