Elevated plasma sRAGE and IGFBP7 in heart failure decrease after heart transplantation in association with...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Metabolic Research
• Pulmonary Hypertension Research

Background:

• Metabolic derangements are key in heart failure (HF) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) pathophysiology.
• Understanding metabolic changes in end-stage HF with PH is crucial for treatment.
• Heart transplantation (HT) offers a potential therapeutic intervention for advanced HF and PH.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dynamics of metabolic plasma proteins in end-stage HF with PH.
• To correlate these protein changes with hemodynamic parameters before and after HT.
• To assess the potential of specific proteins as biomarkers for HF and PH.

Main Methods:

• Analyzed 21 metabolic plasma proteins using proximity extension assay in 20 controls and 26 HF patients.
• Performed right heart catheterizations pre- and post-HT (1 year).
• Correlated changes in sRAGE and IGFBP7 with hemodynamic measurements.

Main Results:

• Plasma sRAGE and IGFBP7 were elevated in HF patients, decreasing to control levels post-HT.
• Decreased sRAGE correlated with improved pulmonary arterial pressure, wedge pressure, vascular resistance, and compliance.
• Increased IGFBP7 correlated with improved right atrial pressure and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide.

Conclusions:

• Plasma sRAGE may indicate pulmonary vascular congestion and mechanical status in HF with PH.
• sRAGE and IGFBP7 offer insights into HF and associated PH pathophysiology.
• Further research is needed to explore the clinical and therapeutic relevance of sRAGE and IGFBP7 in HF and PH.