Prognostic usefulness of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a novel biomarker of myocardial diastolic function?

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) is a biomarker that has recently been associated with heart failure and cardiac hypertrophy. The aim of this study was to examine IGFBP7 relative to echocardiographic abnormalities reflecting diastolic dysfunction. One hundred twenty-four patients with ambulatory heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and baseline detailed 2-dimensional echocardiograms were followed for a mean of 10 months. IGFBP7 was measured serially at each office visit; 108 patients underwent follow-up echocardiography. Echocardiographic parameters of diastolic function were compared at baseline and over time. IGFBP7 concentrations were not linked to left ventricular size or systolic function. In contrast, those with elevated baseline IGFBP7 concentrations were more likely to have abnormalities of parameters describing diastolic function, such as higher left atrial volume index, transmitral E/A ratio, E/E' ratio, and right ventricular systolic pressure. IGFBP7 was correlated with left atrial volume index (ρ = 0.237, p = 0.008), transmitral E/A ratio (ρ = 0.304, p = 0.001), E/E' ratio (ρ = 0.257, p = 0.005), and right ventricular systolic pressure (ρ = 0.316, p = 0.001). Furthermore, each was found to be independently predictive of IGFBP7 in adjusted analysis. In subjects with baseline and final echocardiograms, more time spent with elevated IGFBP7 concentrations in serial measurement was associated with worsening diastolic function and increasing left atrial volume index or right ventricular systolic pressure. IGFBP7 concentrations were predictive of an increased risk for cardiovascular events independent of echocardiographic measures of diastolic function (p = 0.006). In conclusion, IGFBP7 is a novel prognostic biomarker for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and shows significant links to the presence and severity of echocardiographic parameters of abnormal diastolic function.