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C-reactive protein in heart failure: prognostic value and the effect of valsartan
Inder S Anand1, Roberto Latini, Viorel G Florea
1VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA. anand001@umn.edu
Circulation
|September 1, 2005
Summary
C-reactive protein (CRP) is elevated in heart failure patients and predicts worse outcomes. Valsartan may reduce CRP in some patients, but further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomarkers
- Heart Failure Research
Background:
- C-reactive protein (CRP) role in heart failure (HF) is not well-established.
- Limited studies explore CRP's prognostic value in HF patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- Assess the prognostic significance of CRP in heart failure.
- Investigate CRP changes associated with valsartan treatment.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed patients from the Valsartan Heart Failure Trial (Val-HeFT).
- Utilized Cox regression models to correlate CRP with mortality and morbidity.
- Examined CRP changes at 4 and 12 months, considering ACE inhibitor use.
Main Results:
- Elevated CRP levels (median 3.23 mg/L) were observed in HF patients.
- Higher CRP quartiles correlated with increased mortality and morbidity risk.
- CRP provided prognostic information beyond brain natriuretic peptide.
- Valsartan reduced CRP at 12 months in patients not on ACE inhibitors.
Conclusions:
- Increased CRP is linked to severe heart failure and poorer prognosis.
- CRP independently predicts mortality and morbidity in heart failure.
- Further studies are needed on CRP reduction and its clinical impact.
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