Homoarginine-A prognostic indicator in adolescents and adults with complex congenital heart disease?

Tanja Raedle-Hurst1, Marieke Mueller1, Andreas Meinitzer2

  • 1Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany.

Plos One
|September 9, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Homoarginine (hArg) levels show prognostic value in complex congenital heart disease (CHD). Lower hArg levels predict adverse cardiac events and heart failure, similar to NT-proBNP.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomarkers
  • Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

  • Homoarginine (hArg) is a known prognostic marker in chronic left heart failure.
  • Its utility in complex congenital heart disease (CHD) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the clinical utility and prognostic value of hArg levels in patients with complex CHD.
  • To compare hArg's predictive power against established markers.

Main Methods:

  • Plasma hArg levels were measured in 143 patients with complex CHD.
  • Correlations were analyzed with clinical status, echocardiographic and laboratory parameters, and adverse cardiac events.

Main Results:

  • hArg levels were lower in CHD patients (1.5 μmol/l) than controls (1.70 μmol/l).
  • Lowest hArg levels were observed in patients with Fontan palliation and Eisenmenger physiology.
  • hArg levels significantly predicted adverse cardiac events (AUC 0.837) and heart failure/death (AUC 0.911), comparable to NT-proBNP.

Conclusions:

  • hArg levels are a valuable prognostic marker in complex CHD.
  • hArg can predict adverse cardiac events as reliably as, or better than, NT-proBNP levels.
Abstract

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