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 0.05). 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.