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Growth differentiation factor 15: an additional diagnostic tool for the risk stratification of developing heart

Kambiz Norozi1, Reiner Buchhorn, Abeer Yasin

  • 1Division of Paediatric Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics, London Health Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario, Canada. kambiz.norozi@lhsc.on.ca

American Heart Journal
|July 12, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) can monitor heart failure in adults with congenital heart defects (ACHD). GDF-15 identifies at-risk patients, even those without symptoms, aiding early intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomarker Discovery
  • Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

  • Adults with congenital heart defects (ACHD) often develop heart failure post-surgery.
  • Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a known risk marker for heart failure and mortality.
  • The role of GDF-15 in monitoring heart failure within the ACHD population requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) as a monitoring biomarker for heart failure in adults with operated congenital heart defects (ACHD).
  • To validate GDF-15 by comparing it with maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 317 ACHD patients (mean age 26.5 ± 8.5 years) was studied.
  • The relationship between GDF-15, NT-proBNP levels, and VO(2max%) was analyzed.
  • Patients were categorized based on NT-proBNP (<100, 100-300, >300 pg/mL) and VO(2max%) (<65%, 65-85%, >85% predicted).

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in GDF-15 levels were observed across NT-proBNP and VO(2max%) categories.
  • Lowest GDF-15 levels correlated with lower NT-proBNP and higher VO(2max%).
  • Highest GDF-15 levels correlated with higher NT-proBNP and lower VO(2max%).
  • Subgroup analysis in operated tetralogy of Fallot patients showed lower GDF-15 and NT-proBNP with higher VO(2max) in NYHA class I.

Conclusions:

  • Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) may serve as a surrogate marker for latent heart failure in ACHD patients.
  • GDF-15 can potentially identify asymptomatic ACHD patients at risk of developing heart failure.
  • This biomarker aids in risk stratification and monitoring of heart failure in ACHD.
Abstract

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