relation between vascular endothelial markers and right ventricular function in the children with asthma

Objectives: the aim of the study was to evaluate the possible relationship of clinical severity during asthmatic exacerbation with the ventricular functions and the levels of vascular endothelial-related biomarkers endothelin-1 (et-1) and platelet-derived growth factor-bb (pdgf-bb) in the condensed breathing air in the children with asthma. methods: the study included a total of 80 children with acute asthmatic episode; of these, 28 had a mild, 26 had a moderate, and 26 had a severe attack. samples of condensed breathing air were obtained for being analyzed for et-1 and pdgf-bb levels during the study. all patients were evaluated by echocardiography at the beginning of the study and two weeks after the treatment of asthmatic episode. results: before treatment, mpap in moderate and severe asthma groups was significantly higher than in mild asthma group (21.6 ± 7.3, 30.1 ± 9.8 and 32.7 ± 7.8; p < 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively). after treatment, no significant difference was detected between the asthma groups (p > 0.05). am and em waves, and ivrt, ivct, et and rv mpi during the asthmatic attack and after treatment did not change significantly between the groups; pre- and post-treatment values of these parameters also did not show significant differences. in exhaled air samples of the group with severe asthma exacerbation et-1 and pdgf-bb were higher than those in the moderate and mild group (0.80 ± 0.42, 0.58 ± 0.30, 0.50 ± 0.15; p = 0.002 and 281.7 ± 253.2, 167.3 ± 148.1, 135.9 ± 74.9; p = 0.008 respectively). conclusions: our study results showed that mpap in direct proportion with the increased inflammatory cytokines was significantly higher in asthma attacks and levels of et-1 and pdgf-bb were significantly increased with severity of asthma, indicating a vascular response.