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Published on: May 12, 2023
Novel cardiovascular biomarkers in patients with cardiovascular diseases undergoing intensive physical exercise
Moritz Mirna1, Michael Lichtenauer2, Bernhard Wernly2
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Paracelsus Medical University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria - m.mirna@salk.at.
Background:
In this trial, we analyzed the plasma levels of novel biomarkers that reflect different pathophysiological pathways (sST2: mechanical strain, IGF-BP2: metabolic pathways, suPAR and GDF-15: inflammatory processes) in patients undergoing physical exercise to investigate the effects of training on their plasma concentrations.
Methods:
Plasma concentrations of novel biomarkers (sST2, IGF-BP2, suPAR and GDF-15) were analyzed by means of ELISA in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing four weeks of high- and moderate-intensity training (EXCITE Trial) and in patients with one or more cardiovascular risk factors undergoing eight months of intensive physical exercise (IGF-BP2). Plasma levels of sST2 in patients undergoing eight months of intensive exercise have been published previously by our study group (1.13-fold change, P=0.045).
Results:
Four weeks of high-intensity exercise training resulted in a statistically significant change in the plasma level of sST2 (1.106-fold change, P=0.0054) and IGF-BP2 (1.24-fold-change, P=0.0165). Eight months of intensive exercise resulted in a significant increase of IGF-BP2 (median 61.2 ng/mL to 80.7 ng/mL, 1.319-fold change, P=0.006).
Conclusions:
The significant increase of sST2 after four weeks might be a short-term effect due to the mechanical strain caused by the high-intensity training program, whereas the increase in IGF-BP2 after four weeks and eight months is likely a result of metabolic changes due to physical exercise.
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Exercise Stress Test
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes