Vitreous concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor as a potential biomarker for postoperative complications following pars plana vitrectomy

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in cases of ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) where macular edema (ME) persisted after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment. Methods: Fifteen eyes with ischemic CRVO-related ME were included in the study. Nine were treated with panretinal photocoagulation after initial examination. Anti-VEGF agents were injected intravitreally. Persistent ME was treated with PPV combined with ILM peeling. During surgery, laser photocoagulation was further applied to the non-perfused area. Results: Mean retinal thickness gradually decreased after surgery (p = 0.024 at 6 months), although visual acuity did not improve significantly during the follow-up period (14.7 ± 11.6 months). Neovascular glaucoma subsequently developed in three cases and a trabeculectomy was performed in one case. Conclusion: In eyes with ischemic CRVO, PPV combined with ILM peeling contributed to a reduction in persistent ME. However, there was no significant improvement in visual acuity.

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VWF/ADAMTS13 ratio as a potential biomarker for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma

BMC Gastroenterology ◽

10.1186/s12876-019-1082-1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hiroaki Takaya ◽

Tadashi Namisaki ◽

Mitsuteru Kitade ◽

Kosuke Kaji ◽

Keisuke Nakanishi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Von Willebrand Factor ◽

Alpha Fetoprotein ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Potential Biomarker ◽

Cirrhotic Patients ◽

Von Willebrand ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

Willebrand Factor

Abstract Background To investigate the von Willebrand factor to ADAMTS13 ratio as a potential biomarker for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis. Methods Serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein, des-γ-carboxy prothrombin, Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-fetoprotein-L3%), vascular endothelial growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, as well as the plasma levels of von Willebrand factor antigen (von Willebrand factor: Ag) and ADAMTS13 activity (ADAMTS13:AC), were evaluated in 41 cirrhotic patients with HCC undergoing radiofrequency ablation and in 20 cirrhotic patients without HCC. The diagnostic accuracy of each biomarker was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results The von Willebrand factor: Ag and von Willebrand factor: Ag/ADAMTS13:AC ratios were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients with HCC than in those without HCC (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively), whereas ADAMTS13:AC was significantly lower in those with HCC than those without HCC (p < 0.05). However, no relationship was observed between the von Willebrand factor: Ag/ADAMTS13:AC ratio and serum tumor markers such as alpha-fetoprotein, des-γ-carboxy prothrombin, and alpha-fetoprotein-L3%. Multivariate regression analysis identified von Willebrand factor: Ag/ADAMTS13:AC ratio and alpha-fetoprotein-L3% as significant factors of HCC development. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the von Willebrand factor: Ag/ADAMTS13:AC ratio and alpha-fetoprotein-L3% had a better performance than alpha-fetoprotein, des-γ-carboxy prothrombin, alpha-fetoprotein-L3%, vascular endothelial growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, von Willebrand factor: Ag, and ADAMTS13:AC. The von Willebrand factor: Ag/ADAMTS13:AC ratio was exclusively correlated with tumor volume and stage as well as serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels. Conclusions The von Willebrand factor: Ag/ADAMTS13:AC ratio can potentially serve as a novel biomarker for early diagnosis of HCC in cirrhotic patients.

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