OBJECTIVE
To evaluate prognostic role of inflammatory and fibrosis biomarkers in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A retrospective cohort study included 348 outpatients with HFpEF who underwent clinical and instrumental evaluation between 2013 and 2020. The follow-up period was at least 3 years (median 5.4 years). The diagnosis of HFpEF was based on symptoms and signs of heart failure (HF), LV ejection fraction ≥50% and increased LV filling pressure. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality and hospitalization due to exacerbation of HF. At baseline, we estimated serum (NT-proBNP), biomarkers of inflammation (highly sensitive C-reactive protein [hsCRP]) and fibrosis (growth differentiation factor-15 [GDF-15] and soluble interleukin 1 receptor-like 1 [sST2]). Survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier multiplier estimation method.
RESULTS. P
Rimary complication occurred in 48% of patients. NT-proBNP (relative risk [RR] 1.44, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.96, p=0.002) and GDF-15 (RR 1.68, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.77, p=0.043) were significantly associated with poor prognosis. Significance of hsCRP was unclear (p=0.07). Prognostic significance of NT-proBNP was superior to routine echocardiographic parameters characterizing diastolic dysfunction/LV filling pressure: left atrial volume index, pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), ratio of early diastolic filling velocity to early diastolic LV base elevation velocity (E/e’) and LV mass index. Prognostic significance of GDF-15 was superior to PASP, E/e’ ratio and LV mass index.
CONCLUSION
Prognostic significance of GDF-15 and high prognostic role of myocardial stress marker NT-proBNP were confirmed in a large national ambulatory cohort of patients with HFpEF. Both biomarkers were superior to many routine echocardiographic parameters.