VEGF, D-dimer and Coagulation Activation Markers in Indonesian Patients with Polycythemia Vera and Essential Thrombocythemia and Their Relation with Recurrence of Thrombosis

Background. PV and ET have high predisposition to thrombosis and recurrence of thrombosis. We determined VEGF, D-dimer and coagulation activation markers in clinically stable patients and recurrence of thrombosis. Methods. Thirty-five Indonesian patients diagnosed with PV and ET and under treatment for the disease were recruited. The following assays were performed: VEGF, D-dimer, fibrinogen, TAT-complex, vWF, β-TG and JAK2 V617F mutation. Data between patients who were clinically stable(n=20) and those with recurrent thrombosis (n=15) at the time of study was analysed. Results. The mean age for PV/ET was 51.7 ± 14.9 years. Thrombosis episode was recorded for 94.3% (33/35) patients. Twenty (57.1%) clinically stable and 15 (42.9%) patients had recurrence of thrombosis. D-dimer (P=<0.001), fibrinogen (P=0.005) were statistically significant and VEGF (P=0.06) were seen in recurrence of thrombosis compared to clinically stable patients who had normal D-dimer. Elevated D-dimer seen in recurrence thrombosis was significantly correlated with VEGF (P=0.002) levels. Elevated VEGF were seen in 45% of clinically stable patients and 73.3% in recurrence of thrombosis. Conclusions. Elevated D-dimer and fibrinogen with higher mean VEGF levels were seen in recurrence of thrombosis. VEGF and D-dimer measurements have clinical use in determining the risk of patients with vascular complications.