The Study of Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Cardiac Troponin I in Acute Febrile Phase of Kawasaki Disease

Purpose: Kawasaki disease is a febrile disease with acute multisystemic vasculitis associated with early development of acute myocarditis and coronary artery abnormalities. The study was performed to investigate the levels of VEGF and cTnI in acute stage of KD before IVGG therapy to confirm and find early diagnostic method of KD by serologic test. Method: The patients group was consisted of 61 cases who were hospitalized from jan. 1998 to feb. 2001. The control group was consisted of 24 cases who suffered from non KD. The obtained sera were measured the levels of VEGF and cTnI by using Chemoluminoimmunoassay method, and compared with the results of both groups. Results: 1) The sex ratio of male to female was 1.6:1.0, and mean age was 2.6+/-1.6 years old. 2) The levels of VEGF were 143.64+/-115.38 pg/ml in patients group, which were significantly increased as compared to control group(26.55+/-13.75 pg/ml)(P<0.05). 3) The level of cTnI was significantly increased 19 cases(31%) among patients group(0.21+/-0.14 ng/ml) as compared to within normal range of it(<0.1 ng/ml) in control group(P<0.05). 4) Acute phase reactants such as CRP, ESR were positive, and leukocytosis was seen in acute stage of both groups. However, there were no singificance on both groups(P0.05). Conclusion: The measurement of serum VEGF and cTnI can be one of useful method for early diagnosis and confirmation of vasculitis and acute myocarditis in KD, and can help to early treatment of IVGG to reducing cardiovascular abnormalitis of it.