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Plasma connective tissue growth factor is a novel potential biomarker of cardiac dysfunction in patients with chronic

Norimichi Koitabashi1, Masashi Arai, Kazuo Niwano

  • 1Department of Medicine and Biological Science, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan.

European Journal of Heart Failure
|March 14, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Plasma connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is elevated in heart failure patients, correlating with disease severity and fibrosis markers. This suggests CTGF is a useful diagnostic marker for cardiac dysfunction.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is implicated in myocardial fibrosis.
  • The diagnostic value of plasma CTGF in heart failure remains unevaluated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical utility of plasma CTGF concentration for diagnosing heart failure.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed plasma CTGF and fibrosis markers in 52 chronic heart failure patients.
  • Correlated CTGF levels with clinical data and echocardiographic parameters.

Main Results:

  • Plasma CTGF was elevated in symptomatic patients, proportional to NYHA class.
  • CTGF correlated with brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), TGF-beta, MMP-2, TIMP-2, and E/E' values.
  • No correlation found with systolic function or left ventricular mass.

Conclusions:

  • Plasma CTGF concentration serves as a novel diagnostic marker for cardiac dysfunction.
  • CTGF may offer specific insights into myocardial fibrosis in chronic heart failure.
Abstract

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