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Plasma Serotonin in Heart Failure: Possible Marker and Potential Treatment Target
Ahmed M Selim1, Nitasha Sarswat1, Iosif Kelesidis1
1Division of Cardiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Weiler Division, Bronx, NY, USA.
Heart, Lung & Circulation
|October 18, 2016
Summary
Plasma serotonin levels are elevated in decompensated heart failure (HF) patients, indicating worse symptoms and systolic dysfunction. This finding highlights serotonin as a potential marker for HF progression.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The link between the serotonergic system and heart failure (HF) is known from animal studies.
- Human data on plasma serotonin levels in HF and their clinical significance is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma serotonin levels in patients with heart failure.
- To determine the association between serotonin levels and HF severity and characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Plasma serotonin was measured in 173 patients: 116 with stable HF, 40 with acute decompensated HF, and 17 healthy controls.
- Exclusion criteria included medications affecting serotonin receptors and pulmonary hypertension.
- Patients were assessed for HF symptoms (NYHA class) and systolic function.
Main Results:
- Decompensated HF patients showed significantly higher plasma serotonin levels than stable HF patients (P=0.002).
- Elevated serotonin correlated with worse HF symptoms (NYHA class) and systolic dysfunction.
- Serotonin levels were borderline associated with reduced peak oxygen consumption (P=0.055) and independent of various comorbidities and medications.
Conclusions:
- Plasma serotonin serves as a marker for decompensation in chronic heart failure.
- Higher serotonin levels are linked to more severe HF symptoms and systolic dysfunction.
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