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Published on: January 28, 2020
Prognostic value of chromogranin A in chronic heart failure: data from the GISSI-Heart Failure trial
Helge Røsjø1, Serge Masson, Roberto Latini
1Division of Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.
Insights
Chromogranin A (CgA) levels in chronic heart failure (HF) patients are linked to mortality risk factors but do not offer additional prognostic value beyond standard assessments. Further research is needed for CgA in HF management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomarkers
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Chronic heart failure (HF) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
- Identifying reliable prognostic biomarkers is crucial for optimizing HF patient management.
- Chromogranin A (CgA) is a neuroendocrine peptide whose role in HF prognosis is under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between circulating chromogranin A (CgA) levels and clinical outcomes in a large cohort of patients with chronic heart failure (HF).
- To determine if CgA provides incremental prognostic information beyond established risk factors in HF.
Main Methods:
- Plasma CgA levels were measured in 1233 patients with chronic, stable HF from the GISSI-HF trial at baseline and 3 months.
- Patients were followed for a median of 3.9 years for all-cause mortality.
- Statistical analyses included univariable and multivariable regression, adjusting for established HF risk factors.
Main Results:
- Circulating CgA levels correlated with known HF risk markers like age, diabetes, and renal function.
- Univariable analysis showed a strong association between higher CgA levels and increased mortality risk.
- After adjusting for established risk factors, the association between CgA and mortality was attenuated and no longer statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- Circulating CgA levels in chronic, stable HF patients do not offer incremental prognostic information compared to standard clinical and biochemical assessments.
- Current evidence suggests CgA is not a superior biomarker for predicting outcomes in HF.
- Routine measurement of CgA is not recommended for prognostic purposes in stable chronic HF.
Aims:
To assess the association between circulating levels of chromogranin A (CgA) and outcome in a large population of patients with chronic heart failure (HF).
Methods And Results:
Plasma CgA levels were measured at randomization and after 3 months in 1233 patients (median age 68 years, 80% male) with chronic, stable HF from the GISSI-HF trial. Circulating CgA levels were associated with several established risk markers in HF, including increased age, diabetes, reduced renal function, and heart rate variability. During a median follow-up of 3.9 years, 333 patients (27%) died. By univariable analysis, plasma CgA levels at baseline were strongly associated with all-cause mortality during follow-up; 2nd vs. 1st tertile: HR 1.58 (1.17-2.11), P = 0.002; and 3rd vs. 1st tertile: HR 2.35 (1.78-3.10), P < 0.0001. After adjustment for established risk factors of mortality, this association was attenuated and no longer significant. Randomized treatments with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid or rosuvastatin did not significantly change plasma CgA concentration over 3 months.
Conclusion:
Measurement of circulating CgA levels in patients with chronic, stable HF does not provide incremental prognostic information to that obtained from physical examination, routine biochemical analysis, and contemporary HF biomarkers.
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