BAG3 concentrations and heart failure events among individuals undergoing coronary and peripheral angiography

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Biomarker Discovery
• Heart Failure Research

Background:

• Heart failure (HF) poses a significant global health burden.
• Early identification and risk stratification are crucial for effective HF management.
• The role of specific biomarkers in predicting HF progression requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the role of circulating BAG3 as a biomarker across all stages of the Universal Definition of Heart Failure (UDHF).
• To determine if BAG3 levels can predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including cardiovascular death and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE).
• To assess the prognostic value of BAG3 in asymptomatic stages of heart failure.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of plasma samples from 1121 individuals undergoing angiography.
• Utilized a novel assay to measure circulating BAG3 concentrations.
• Statistical analysis including hazard ratios (HR) and p-values to assess predictive value.

Main Results:

• Higher BAG3 concentrations were associated with increased risk of cardiovascular death (HR=1.18, p=0.001) and MACE (HR=1.12, p=0.006) in the overall cohort.
• In asymptomatic HF stages (A and B), elevated BAG3 predicted the first symptomatic HF event (HR=1.13, p=0.05).
• BAG3 also predicted the total burden of subsequent HF events in early stages.

Conclusions:

• Circulating BAG3 demonstrates prognostic value across the spectrum of heart failure.
• The predictive capability of BAG3 in asymptomatic phases suggests a potential functional role in HF pathogenesis.
• BAG3 measurement may offer utility for risk stratification and management strategies in cardiovascular diseases, starting from early, asymptomatic stages.