Flt-1 / sVEGFR-1 in Long COVID

Flt-1 / sVEGFR-1, also described as Soluble VEGF receptor, is a inflammatory marker reported as elevated in Long COVID (PASC, Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19) when patients are compared with healthy controls, recovered individuals without persistent symptoms. Symptom domains tied to this marker in the source include vascular inflammation. The evidence summarised here comes from Saito et al. 2024 and reflects averages across cohorts rather than any single patient's result.

↑ ElevatedInflammatory

Summary

Direction in Long COVID↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group
CategoryInflammatory
Also described asSoluble VEGF receptor
Compared againstHC, R (healthy controls, recovered individuals without persistent symptoms)
Associated symptomsVascular inflammation
Test typeBlood test (serum / plasma / whole blood)
SourceSaito et al. 2024 — doi:10.3389/fimmu.2024.1341843
Condition atlasLong COVID Biomarker Atlas

Related Inflammatory markers in Long COVID

Full list: Long COVID Biomarker Atlas.

Frequently asked questions

Is Flt-1 / sVEGFR-1 high or low in Long COVID?

Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher Flt-1 / sVEGFR-1 in Long COVID than in healthy controls, recovered individuals without persistent symptoms. Source: Saito et al. 2024.

What symptoms is Flt-1 / sVEGFR-1 associated with in Long COVID?

The cited literature associates this marker with Vascular inflammation. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.

Which test measures Flt-1 / sVEGFR-1?

It is measured as a blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood). Many of the cited studies used research-grade assays, so clinical availability may vary.

Is one abnormal Flt-1 / sVEGFR-1 result diagnostic of Long COVID?

No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Long COVID. Flt-1 / sVEGFR-1 findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.

Cite this page

Open Source Medicine Foundation. (2026). Flt-1 / sVEGFR-1 in Long COVID: direction, evidence and what it means. OSMF Research Tracker. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://research.opensourcemed.info/biomarkers/long-covid/flt-1-svegfr-1.html
Get OSMF research updates. New biomarker, trial and treatment evidence summaries by email.
Subscribe on Substack

Last reviewed: 2026-06-29 · Page generated from long-covid.json · Browse: Long COVID atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages

Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.