Hepatocyte growth factor--a new marker for prognosis in acute coronary syndrome.

Unlabelled: This study was designed to check the properties of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as a new marker of myocardial necrosis.

Materials And Method: In one hundred and four patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), plasma human HGF (hHGF) concentrations were assessed twice, i.e. just after admission to hospital and 24 h afterwards. The primary composite endpoint was assessed at three-month follow-up.

Results: The maximal concentration of hHGF (1902 pg/ml) was reached at the time of admission to hospital due to ACS with significant decrease 24 h after the first measurement (705 pg/ml p < 0.0001). hHGF levels in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were higher than in non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and in patients who reached composite primary endpoint (33 patients-4211 pg/ml) vs. event-free 71 patients (1013 pg/ml p < 0.01). The correlation between values of hHGF and N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin I was revealed.

Conclusion: HGF is a very early, good marker of myocardial necrosis and a sensitive short- and long-term prognostic factor in ACS.