Are vascular endothelial growth factor serum levels elevated in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia?
According to a study performed in a murine model, persistence of the activation phase of angiogenesis might be responsible for an increased production of several angiogenic factors, in particular VEGF, in HHT. Our work is the first to suggest an increased expression of VEGF in the serum of subjects with HHT in agreement with the stimulation of VEGF synthesis proposed in the murine model.
Bispectral index scores and sedative requirements early in the course of therapeutic hypothermia improve the identification of patients who will not recover from brain anoxia. The ability to accurately predict nonrecovery after cardiac arrest could facilitate discussions with families, reduce patient suffering, and limit use of ICU resources in futile cases.