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Diagnostic and predictive values of plasma connective tissue growth factor in children with pulmonary hypertension

Eslam Hella1, Doaa El Amrousy1, Hesham El-Serogy2

  • 1Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University Hospital, Egypt.

Cardiology in the Young
|April 2, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Plasma connective tissue growth factor shows high diagnostic and predictive value in children with pulmonary hypertension (PH) related to congenital heart disease (CHD). This biomarker aids in identifying PH and predicting adverse outcomes in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Biomarker Discovery
  • Pulmonary Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Congenital heart disease (CHD) can lead to pulmonary hypertension (PH), a serious condition in children.
  • Accurate diagnosis and prediction of adverse outcomes in PH-related CHD are critical for patient management.
  • Novel biomarkers are needed to improve diagnostic and prognostic capabilities in pediatric PH.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the diagnostic utility of plasma connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in children with PH-related CHD.
  • To evaluate the predictive value of plasma CTGF for adverse outcomes in this patient group.
  • To correlate plasma CTGF levels with hemodynamic parameters and cardiac function in pediatric PH.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 40 children with PH-related CHD, 40 with CHD without PH, and 40 healthy controls.
  • Plasma CTGF levels were measured using ELISA.
  • Echocardiography was performed; cardiac catheterization was used for CHD patients to assess PH severity.

Main Results:

  • Plasma CTGF levels were significantly elevated in children with PH-related CHD compared to controls.
  • CTGF levels correlated positively with pulmonary pressure and resistance, and negatively with oxygen saturation and RV diastolic function.
  • Plasma CTGF demonstrated high sensitivity (95%) and specificity (90%) for diagnosing PH, and good predictive value for adverse outcomes (88% sensitivity, 83% specificity).

Conclusions:

  • Plasma connective tissue growth factor is a valuable diagnostic biomarker for PH in children with CHD.
  • CTGF shows significant potential as a predictive marker for adverse outcomes in pediatric PH-related CHD.
  • These findings support the use of CTGF in the clinical assessment of children with PH-related CHD.
Abstract

Keywords:
CHDCTGFchildrendiagnosticpredictivepulmonary hypertension

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