Circulating endothelial cells in patients with heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction.
Vicenta Martínez-Sales1, Ignacio Sánchez-Lázaro, Virtudes Vila
1Centro de Investigación, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain. martinez vicsal@gva.es
Disease Markers
|September 8, 2011
Summary
Circulating endothelial cells (CEC) are elevated in heart failure patients, particularly during the acute phase. These CEC levels correlate with markers of vascular damage and could indicate worsening heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Vascular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Endothelial damage and angiogenesis vary in acute and chronic heart failure.
- Circulating endothelial cells (CEC) are recognized indicators of vascular damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in CEC levels throughout different heart failure stages.
- To explore the correlation between CEC and established markers of vascular damage and angiogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Studied 32 heart failure patients (acute and stable phases) and 32 controls.
- Quantified circulating markers: CEC, von Willebrand factor (vWF), soluble E-selectin (sEsel), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and thrombospondin-1.
Main Results:
- Heart failure patients exhibited significantly higher CEC, vWF, sEsel, and VEGF compared to controls.
- CEC, vWF, and VEGF levels were significantly elevated in the acute phase versus the stable phase of heart failure.
- CEC levels demonstrated a positive correlation with vWF and VEGF, with acute phase patients showing markedly increased CEC counts.
Conclusions:
- Elevated CEC levels in heart failure patients confirm their role as markers of endothelial damage, correlating with vWF.
- CEC levels are significantly associated with the acute phase of heart failure.
- CEC may serve as a valuable biomarker for detecting and monitoring the progression of heart failure.
