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Cardiac risk stratification in patients with congestive heart failure: a catecholamines-beta-adrenoceptor-cAMP
Ying-Xin Peng1, Jiang Shan, Su-jun Zhang
1Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou. upls01@hotmail.com
Insights
Persistent high levels of catecholamines and cAMP in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients predict increased cardiogenic death risk. Monitoring these markers may improve long-term mortality prediction in CHF.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Congestive heart failure (CHF) is associated with neurohormonal dysregulation.
- The catecholamine-beta-adrenoceptor (beta-AR)-cAMP pathway plays a role in cardiovascular function and disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prognostic value of the catecholamine-beta-AR-cAMP pathway in predicting cardiogenic death in CHF patients.
- To determine if persistent elevations in catecholamines and cAMP levels stratify risk for adverse cardiovascular events.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 83 CHF patients were monitored for plasma norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) levels, lymphocyte beta-AR density, and intralymphocyte cAMP content.
- Patients were followed for major cardiogenic death events over a mean period of 65 months.
Main Results:
- Persistent high levels of NE, E, and intralymphocyte cAMP were significant predictors of cardiogenic death.
- Elevated NE (>4.0 nmol/L), E (>3.5 nmol/L), and cAMP (>3.5 pmd x mg(-1) x pro(-1)) were associated with significantly higher rates of cardiogenic death.
- No significant difference in mortality was observed based on beta-AR density levels.
Conclusions:
- Persistent increases in circulating catecholamines and intralymphocyte cAMP are associated with increased long-term mortality in CHF patients.
- These markers may serve as valuable tools for risk stratification in CHF management.
Objective:
To investigate the stratification risk of catecholamines-beta-adrenoceptor (beta-AR)-cAMP pathway for cardiogenic death events in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).
Methods:
A total of 83 identified CHF patients with a baseline and follow-up plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E), lymphocytes beta-AR density (Bmax), and intralymphocyte cAMP content in peripheral blood were followed up. Major cardiogenic death events were registered.
Results:
The period between the initial entry and the last follow-up measurement were 51 +/- 16 months, the total duration of clinical follow-up after the last measurement were 14 +/- 8 months. During follow-up, 39 patients died of cardiogenic (sudden death 17 patients, worsening heart failure 22 patients). Persistence of high NE, E, and cAMP from baseline to follow-up were confirmed as risk predicting factors of cardiovascular events. Persistence NE above 4.0 nmol/L, E above 3.5 nmol/L, and the intralymphocyte cAMP content above 3.5 pmd x mg(-1) x pro(-1) from baseline to follow-up were significant adverse prognostic predictors. The major cardiogenic death events rates per 100 patients-years were 1.33 and 4.82 in patients with NE below and above 4.0 nmol/L (HR: 2.91; 95% CI: 1.08-7.33; P = 0.015); were 1.42 and 4.36 in the patients with E levels below and above 3.5 nmol/L (HR: 2.64; 95% CI: 1.02-6.41; P = 0.019); were 1.81 and 4.67 in the patients with the intralymphocyte cAMP content below and above 3.5 pmd x mg(-1) x pro(-1) (HR: 2.79; 95% CI: 1.04-6.83; P = 0.017), but difference was not significant between the beta-AR density below and above median.
Conclusions:
Persistent increase in circulating catecholamines and intralymphocyte cAMP content may increase the long-term mortality in CHF patients.
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