Related Experiment Videos
Plasma big endothelin-1 concentrations in congestive heart failure patients with or without systemic hypertension
R Pacher1, J Bergler-Klein, S Globits
1Department of Cardiology, University Clinic, Vienna, Austria.
Insights
Elevated big endothelin-1 levels indicate worsening congestive heart failure (CHF) and are linked to poorer outcomes, including death or heart transplantation. This peptide is a potential biomarker for CHF severity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Systemic hypertension and congestive heart failure (CHF) are significant cardiovascular conditions.
- Endothelin-1 is a potent vasoconstrictor with implications in cardiovascular disease.
- Previous research suggests a role for endothelin in heart failure, but its specific correlation with disease severity and outcomes requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma big endothelin-1 concentrations in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).
- To assess the relationship between big endothelin-1 levels and the presence of systemic hypertension.
- To determine the correlation of big endothelin-1 with CHF severity, hemodynamic parameters, and clinical outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Plasma big endothelin-1, renin, aldosterone, and atrial natriuretic peptide levels were measured.
- Clinical and hemodynamic data were collected from 53 CHF patients, 9 hypertensive patients, and 22 healthy controls.
- Patients were followed for 12 months to assess outcomes such as heart transplantation and mortality.
Main Results:
- Big endothelin-1 was significantly elevated in CHF patients compared to hypertensive and control groups, irrespective of hypertension history (p < 0.0001).
- Severe CHF patients exhibited higher big endothelin-1 levels than moderate CHF patients.
- Patients who underwent heart transplantation or died had significantly higher big endothelin-1 concentrations than stable patients (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Plasma big endothelin-1 is significantly elevated in CHF and correlates with disease severity.
- Increased big endothelin-1 levels are associated with adverse clinical outcomes in CHF patients.
- Big endothelin-1 may serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker in congestive heart failure.
Abstract:
Plasma endothelin concentrations were evaluated in 53 chronic, congestive heart failure (CHF) patients with or without history of systemic hypertension, as well as in 9 with hypertension only and in 22 healthy control subjects. Plasma renin, aldosterone and atrial natriuretic peptide, as well as clinical and hemodynamic data were determined. In patients with CHF, big endothelin-1 was, independent of hypertension history, significantly greater than in hypertensive patients with normal cardiac function and in control subjects (both p < 0.0001). Patients with severe CHF had significantly greater big endothelin-1 values than did those with moderate CHF. During 12-month follow-up, 11 patients with CHF underwent heart transplantation, and 9 died; these patients had significantly greater big endothelin-1 concentrations than did the 33 clinically stable patients (p < 0.001). Big endothelin-1 and atrial natriuretic peptide correlated with right atrial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction, effort capacity and severity of CHF (New York Heart Association functional class).