Aim To explore the relation between the levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and different area of cerebral infarction. Methods 50 acute cerebral infarction patients had been tried. Each of them would be drawed 2 mL of blood and analyzed at the admission time, 1,3,7 and 14 day after acute ischemic stroke. After centrifugated the sample was stored in - 70℃ According to CT (the 3rd day after stroke), all patients were classified into three groups as having a large infarct or a moderate infarct or a small infarct. And then, the serum levels of VEGF would be investigated. Results There were difference in the serum levels of VEGF of the three groups at the time when they were admissioned ( P< 0. 05), which were the same at other periods. Conclusions The more size of the infarction, the higher the serum level ofVEGF. This phenomenoncan be discovered in the earlier period (less than 16 h after stroke).