BACKGROUND Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) participate in angiogenesis and neocollateralization. This study assessed if circulating EPCs can predict long-term improvement of global left ventricular systolic function in patients with coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs) underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS In this single-center, prospective, observational study, 115 consecutive patients with CTOs were evaluated by standard transthoracic echocardiography (ECHO) before and 9-12 months after PCI. Numbers of circulating putative EPCs were determined by flow cytometry analysis of mononuclear cells isolated from peripheral blood samples drawn before and 72 h after PCI. RESULTS At mean 11.3 ± 2.5 months post vs. before PCI (all P < .05): by SAQ-7 summary scores, angina frequency, physical limitation and quality of life scores were greater; by ECHO, LVEDd decreased and LVEF increased, which were more significant in patients with Rentrop grades 2/3 vs. 0/1. At 72 h post vs. before PCI, CD34+VEGFR-2+CD133- (0.82 ± 0.32 × 106/L vs. 1.00 ± 0.39 × 106/L, P = .003), CD34+VEGFR-2+CD133+ (0.24 ± 0.12 × 106/L vs. 0.27 ± 0.14 × 106/L, P = .028), and CD14+Tie2+VEGFR-2+ (6.60 ± 3.32 × 106/L vs. 7.82 ± 3.91 × 106/L, P = .006) cell numbers were lower. The baseline levels of CD34+VEGFR-2+cells (P = .001) and CD14+Tie2+VEGFR-2+cells (P < .001) were association with the grade of collateralization. In addition, the baseline and peri-procedural decrease of circulating CD34+VEGFR-2+ cells correlated with the increase of LVEF (P < .001, P < .001, respectively) and the decrease of LVEDd (P = .022, P = .029, respectively) at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS In this small study, the baseline levels of circulating CD34+VEGFR-2+ EPCs and its reduction after successful revascularization of CTOs correlated with long-term improvement in global LV systolic function.
Circulating CD34+VEGFR-2+ endothelial progenitor cells correlate with revascularization-mediated long-term improvement of cardiac function in patients with coronary chronic total occlusions.