Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 3, 2025

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Macerated Tissue to Visualize the Extracellular Matrix
10:21

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Macerated Tissue to Visualize the Extracellular Matrix

Published on: June 14, 2016

10.3K

Lack of Relationship between Fibrosis-Related Biomarkers and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance-Assessed Replacement and

Paweł Rubiś1, Ewa Dziewięcka1, Magdalena Szymańska2

  • 1Department of Cardiac and Vascular Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, John Paul II Hospital, Pradnicka St. 80, 31-202 Krakow, Poland.

Cells
|June 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Circulating fibrosis markers do not predict cardiac fibrosis in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Cardiac-specific markers like NT-proBNP and troponin T showed associations with fibrosis, suggesting limited utility for fibrosis markers in DCM diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomarker Research
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) involves complex cardiac remodeling.
  • The link between circulating fibrosis markers and cardiac fibrosis in DCM is not well-established.
  • Accurate assessment of cardiac fibrosis is crucial for DCM management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between circulating fibrosis-related molecules and cardiac fibrosis quantified by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in DCM patients.
  • To compare biomarker levels in DCM patients with varying degrees of replacement and interstitial fibrosis.
  • To determine the diagnostic and monitoring utility of circulating fibrosis markers in DCM.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, single-center observational study of 100 DCM patients.
  • Cardiac fibrosis assessed using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) for replacement fibrosis and extracellular volume (ECV) for interstitial fibrosis via CMR.
  • Plasma concentrations of multiple fibrosis biomarkers and cardiac-specific markers (NT-proBNP, hs-TnT) were measured.

Main Results:

  • No circulating fibrosis biomarkers were associated with LGE or ECV in DCM patients.
  • NT-proBNP was independently associated with both LGE and ECV.
  • Troponin T (hs-TnT) was associated with ECV.
  • Circulating fibrosis markers did not differentiate between patients with or without replacement fibrosis or stratified by median ECV.

Conclusions:

  • Circulating fibrosis markers lack utility in diagnosing or monitoring cardiac fibrosis in DCM.
  • Cardiac-specific biomarkers, NT-proBNP and hs-TnT, show associations with cardiac fibrosis, warranting further investigation.
  • Current circulating fibrosis markers are not reliable indicators of myocardial fibrosis burden in DCM.

Keywords:
biomarkerscollagendilated cardiomyopathyinterstitial fibrosisreplacement fibrosis

More Related Videos

Noninvasive Assessment of Cardiac Abnormalities in Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis by Magnetic Resonance Microscopy Imaging in the Mouse12:24

Noninvasive Assessment of Cardiac Abnormalities in Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis by Magnetic Resonance Microscopy Imaging in the Mouse

Published on: June 20, 2014

10.1K
Magnetic Resonance Derived Myocardial Strain Assessment Using Feature Tracking07:21

Magnetic Resonance Derived Myocardial Strain Assessment Using Feature Tracking

Published on: February 12, 2011

14.6K

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
111
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
145
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
110
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers01:20

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers

Cardiac biomarkers are enzymes, proteins, and hormones released into the blood when cardiac cells are injured. They are powerful tools for triaging.
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
473
Myocarditis I: Introduction01:21

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
120
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
138