Human epididymis protein 4: a novel predictor of ischemic cardiomyopathy

Yi Tang1, Yinzhen Wang1, Xiaoping Xu2

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Clinical Medicine Research Center of Heart Failure of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410005, China.

Insights

Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a significant predictor of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). Higher HE4 levels indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomarkers
  • Clinical Research

Background:

  • The prognostic significance of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) remains undetermined.
  • HE4 is a glycoprotein with potential roles in various physiological and pathological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prognostic value of serum HE4 levels in patients diagnosed with ICM.
  • To determine if HE4 can predict cardiovascular death and heart failure-related hospitalizations in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective enrollment of 103 patients with ICM.
  • Baseline and follow-up serum HE4 measurements.
  • Analysis of cardiovascular death and heart failure-related hospitalization as endpoints.

Main Results:

  • Serum HE4 levels were significantly higher in patients who experienced cardiovascular events compared to those who did not (P < 0.001).
  • HE4 was identified as an independent predictor of events (HR: 1.003, P = 0.002), alongside age.
  • Patients with HE4 levels > 100.2 pmol/L had a 3.372-fold higher risk of events (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) serves as an independent prognostic marker in patients with ICM.
  • Elevated HE4 levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization.
Abstract

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