Potential pathways linking the observed pulmonary and systemic events are identified by analysis of various biomarkers associated with hypertension (ACE), endothelial activation (ET-1), coagulation factors (TF; PAI-1), atherosclerosis (VACM-1) and angiogenesis (VEGF) from pulmonary and cardiac tissues. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is atherosclerosis.