Meprin A in Patients with Acute Decompensation of Heart Failure

Plasma levels of meprin A, IL-6, and IL-18 were measured in 68 patients with acute decompensated heart failure at the time of admission to the hospital and after 1 year. The patients were assigned to groups depending on renal function disorder which was assessed by glomerular filtration rate (GFR). During hospital stay, the plasma levels of meprin A in patients with normal GFR (≥90 ml/min/1.73 m²) were considerably higher than in patients with reduced GFR (<90 ml/min/1.73 m²): 1.80 (0.86; 2.65) and 1.04 (0.56; 1.60) ng/ml, respectively. The levels of IL-6 and IL-18 did not differ significantly. After 1 year, plasma levels of meprin A and interleukins markedly decreased in patients with normal GFR (0.33 (0.20; 0.86) ng/ml) and remained high in patients with reduced GFR (0.92 (0.39; 1.33) ng/ml). Thus, the dynamics of meprin A levels in patients with acute decompensated heart failure depends on functional state of the kidneys, which may affect the course of heart failure.