Exploring the relationship between β-adrenergic receptor kinase-1 and physical symptoms in heart failure

The relationship between physical heart failure (HF) symptoms and pathophysiological mechanisms is unclear.

To quantify the relationship between plasma β-adrenergic receptor kinase-1 (βARK1) and physical symptoms among adults with HF.

We performed a secondary analysis of data collected from two studies of adults with HF. Plasma βARK1 was quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Physical symptoms were measured with the HF Somatic Perception Scale (HFSPS). Generalized linear modeling was used to quantify the relationship between βARK1 and HFSPS scores.

The average age (n = 94) was 54.5 ± 13.1 years, 76.6% were male, and a majority (83.0%) had Class III or IV HF. βARK1 was significantly associated with HFSPS scores (β = 0.22 ± 0.10, p = 0.038), adjusting for other predictors of physical symptoms (model R² = 0.250, F(7, 70) = 3.34, p = 0.004).

Higher βARK1 is associated with worse physical HF symptoms, pinpointing a potential pathophysiologic underpinning.