Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase levels and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute heart failure.

Background: Acute heart failure (AHF) is a major cause of hospitalisation, morbidity and mortality worldwide. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is an enzyme responsible for the extracellular catabolism of antioxidant glutathione and a potential risk indicator of cardiac mortality. Limited data exists on the prognostic value of circulating levels of GGT in patients hospitalized due to AHF.

Aim: To study the association between baseline GGT activity and in-hospital mortality in AHF patients.

Methods: The study cohort consisted of 183 AHF patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Patients were divided into two groups according to in-hospital mortality. The relationship between GGT activity and in-hospital mortality was tested using logistic regression models, adjusting for clinical characteristics and echocardiographic findings.

Results: After adjustment for possible confounders, GGT level was significantly related (OR 1.056, 95% CI 1.018-1.096, p = 0.04) to in-hospital mortality.

Conclusions: Elevated GGT activity is an independent predictor of short-term mortality in patients with AHF and reduced LVEF.