Clinical significance of endogenous vasoactive neurohormones in chronic systolic heart failure.

Background: Neurohormonal activation is a pathophysiological hallmark of acute and chronic heart failure (HF). The clinical significance of more recently discovered endogenous vasoactive hormones has not been well-characterized.

Methods And Results: In 154 subjects with stable, chronic systolic HF (New York Heart Association Class I-IV, left ventricular [LV] ejection fraction View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Relation of mechanical dyssynchrony with underlying cardiac structure and performance in chronic systolic heart failure: implications on clinical response to cardiac resynchronization.

Aims: The aim of this study is to describe the relationship between ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (VMD) and echocardiographic indices of cardiac remodelling.

Methods And Results: We evaluated 219 ambulatory patients with chronic systolic heart failure [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 40 ms and/or inter-VMD > 38 ms).

Impact of myocardial function on cystatin C measurements in chronic systolic heart failure.

Background: The influence of myocardial function on plasma levels of cystatin C (CysC), a sensitive marker of renal function, in chronic systolic heart failure (HF) has not been well established.

Methods: We prospectively identified 139 subjects with stable, chronic HF (left ventricular ejection fraction < or = 35%) and measured plasma levels of CysC. We prospectively tracked patients' long-term adverse clinical outcomes (death, cardiac transplantation, and HF hospitalizations).

Usefulness of C-reactive protein and left ventricular diastolic performance for prognosis in patients with left ventricular systolic heart failure.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a hepatocyte-derived inflammatory cytokine shown to be increased in the setting of acute heart failure (HF), particularly with increased intracardiac filling pressures. In the chronic HF setting, the relation between hs-CRP and echocardiographic indexes of left ventricular (LV) diastolic performance has not been examined. We measured plasma hs-CRP levels using a particle-enhanced immunonephelometry assay (Dade Behring, Inc.

Prognostic value and echocardiographic determinants of plasma myeloperoxidase levels in chronic heart failure.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between myeloperoxidase (MPO) and cardiac structure, performance, and prognosis.

Background: Myeloperoxidase is an inflammatory marker that is elevated in patients with heart failure (HF) and cardiac dysfunction, with mechanistic links to plaque vulnerability and left ventricular (LV) remodeling.

Methods: We evaluated plasma MPO levels (CardioMPO, PrognostiX, Inc.