Impact of mitral regurgitation in patients with acute heart failure: insights from the RELAX-AHF-2 trial.

AIMS: The impact of mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (AHF) is not well established. We assessed the role of MR in patients enrolled in the Relaxin in Acute Heart Failure 2 (RELAX-AHF-2) trial. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients enrolled in RELAX-AHF-2 with available data regarding MR status were included in this analysis. Baseline characteristics, in-hospital data, and clinical outcomes through 180-day follow-up were evaluated. The impact of moderate/severe MR was assessed. Among 6420 AHF patients with known MR status, 1810 patients (28.2%) had moderate/severe MR. Compared to patients with no/mild MR, those with moderate/severe MR were more likely to have history of heart failure (HF), prior HF hospitalization, more comorbidities, symptoms/signs of HF, lower left ventricular ejection fraction and higher N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels. Moderate/severe MR was associated with longer length of hospital stay, higher rates of residual dyspnoea, increased jugular venous pressure through the index hospitalization and a higher unadjusted risk of the composite of cardiovascular (CV) death or rehospitalization for HF/renal failure (RF) through 180 days (crude hazard ratio [HR] 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.27, p = 0.01). The association between moderate/severe MR and poorer outcomes was not maintained in a multivariable model including several covariates of interest (adjusted HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.91-1.17, p = 0.65). Similar findings were observed for HF/RF rehospitalization alone. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AHF, moderate/severe MR was associated with a worse clinical profile but did not have an independent prognostic impact on clinical outcomes.

Pathophysiologic Processes and Novel Biomarkers Associated With Congestion in Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Congestion is the main driver behind symptoms of heart failure (HF), but pathophysiology related to congestion remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: Using pathway and differential expression analyses, the authors aim to identify biological processes and biomarkers associated with congestion in HF. METHODS: A congestion score (sum of jugular venous pressure, orthopnea, and peripheral edema) was calculated in 1,245 BIOSTAT-CHF patients with acute or worsening HF. Patients with a score ranking in the bottom or top categories of congestion were deemed noncongested (n = 408) and severely congested (n = 142), respectively. Plasma concentrations of 363 unique proteins (Olink Proteomics Multiplex CVD-II, CVD-III, Immune Response and Oncology II panels) were compared between noncongested and severely congested patients. Results were validated in an independent validation cohort of 1,342 HF patients (436 noncongested and 232 severely congested). RESULTS: Differential protein expression analysis showed 107/363 up-regulated and 6/363 down-regulated proteins in patients with congestion compared with those without. FGF-23, FGF-21, CA-125, soluble ST2, GDF-15, FABP4, IL-6, and BNP were the strongest up-regulated proteins (fold change [FC] >1.30, false discovery rate [FDR], P < 0.05). KITLG, EGF, and PON3 were the strongest down-regulated proteins (FC <-1.30, FDR P < 0.05). Pathways most prominently involved in congestion were related to inflammation, endothelial activation, and response to mechanical stimulus. The validation cohort yielded similar findings. CONCLUSIONS: Severe congestion in HF is mainly associated with inflammation, endothelial activation, and mechanical stress. Whether these pathways play a causal role in the onset or progression of congestion remains to be established. The identified biomarkers may become useful for diagnosing and monitoring congestion status.

Distinct pathophysiological pathways in women and men with heart failure.

AIMS: Clinical differences between women and men have been described in heart failure (HF). However, less is known about the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. In this study, we compared multiple circulating biomarkers to gain better insights into differential HF pathophysiology between women and men. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 537 women and 1485 men with HF, we compared differential expression of a panel of 363 biomarkers. Then, we performed a pathway over-representation analysis to identify differential biological pathways in women and men. Findings were validated in an independent HF cohort (575 women, 1123 men). In both cohorts, women were older and had higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). In the index and validation cohorts respectively, we found 14/363 and 12/363 biomarkers that were relatively up-regulated in women, while 21/363 and 14/363 were up-regulated in men. In both cohorts, the strongest up-regulated biomarkers in women were leptin and fatty acid binding protein-4, compared to matrix metalloproteinase-3 in men. Similar findings were replicated in a subset of patients from both cohorts matched by age and LVEF. Pathway over-representation analysis revealed increased activity of pathways associated with lipid metabolism in women, and neuro-inflammatory response in men (all p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In two independent cohorts of HF patients, biomarkers associated with lipid metabolic pathways were observed in women, while biomarkers associated with neuro-inflammatory response were more active in men. Differences in inflammatory and metabolic pathways may contribute to sex differences in clinical phenotype observed in HF, and provide useful insights towards development of tailored HF therapies.

Clinical impact of changes in mitral regurgitation severity after medical therapy optimization in heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Few data are available regarding changes in mitral regurgitation (MR) severity with guideline-recommended medical therapy (GRMT) in heart failure (HF). Our aim was to evaluate the evolution and impact of MR after GRMT in the Biology study to Tailored treatment in chronic heart failure (BIOSTAT-CHF). METHODS: A retrospective post-hoc analysis was performed on HF patients from BIOSTAT-CHF with available data on MR status at baseline and at 9-month follow-up after GRMT optimization. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death or HF hospitalization. RESULTS: Among 1022 patients with data at both time-points, 462 (45.2%) had moderate-severe MR at baseline and 360 (35.2%) had it at 9-month follow-up. Regression of moderate-severe MR from baseline to 9 months occurred in 192/462 patients (41.6%) and worsening from baseline to moderate-severe MR at 9 months occurred in 90/560 patients (16.1%). The presence of moderate-severe MR at 9 months, independent from baseline severity, was associated with an increased risk of the primary endpoint (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57-2.63; p < 0.001), also after adjusting for the BIOSTAT-CHF risk-prediction model (adjusted HR, 1.85; 95% CI 1.43-2.39; p < 0.001). Younger age, LVEF ≥ 50% and treatment with higher ACEi/ARB doses were associated with a lower likelihood of persistence of moderate-severe MR at 9 months, whereas older age was the only predictor of worsening MR. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with HF undergoing GRMT optimization, ACEi/ARB up-titration and HFpEF were associated with MR improvement, and the presence of moderate-severe MR after GRMT was associated with worse outcome.

Worsening renal function in acute heart failure in the context of diuretic response.

BACKGROUND: For patients with acute heart failure (AHF), substantial diuresis after administration of loop diuretics is generally associated with better clinical outcomes but may cause creatinine to rise, suggesting renal function decline. We investigated the interaction between diuretic response and worsening renal function (WRF) on clinical outcomes in patients with AHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: In two AHF cohorts (PROTECT, n = 1698 and RELAX-AHF-2, n = 5586 in current analysis), the prognostic impact of WRF (creatinine ≥0.3 mg/dl increase baseline-day 4; sensitivity analyses incorporated baseline renal function) by diuretic response (kg weight loss/40 mg furosemide equivalent baseline-day 4) was investigated with regard to (cardiovascular) death or cardiovascular/renal hospitalization using subpopulation treatment effect pattern plots (STEPP) and survival analyses. WRF occurred in 286 (16.8%) and 1031 (18.5%) patients in PROTECT and RELAX-AHF-2, respectively. Patients with WRF had higher left ventricular ejection fraction and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate at baseline (p < 0.05), and received higher doses of loop diuretics and had a worse diuretic response (p < 0.001). In patients with a poor diuretic response (≤0.35 kg weight loss/40 mg furosemide equivalent as identified by STEPP), WRF was associated with higher risk of (cardiovascular) death or cardiovascular/renal hospitalization (p < 0.001 both cohorts), but this was not the case for patients with a good diuretic response (p = 0.900 both cohorts). CONCLUSION: In two large cohorts of patients with AHF, WRF in the first 4 days was not associated with worse outcomes when patients had a good diuretic response. The occurrence of WRF in patients with AHF should therefore be considered in the context of diuretic response.

Pathophysiological pathways in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) are two growing epidemics that frequently co-exist. We aimed to gain insights into the underlying pathophysiological pathways in HF patients with AF by comparing circulating biomarkers using pathway overrepresentation analyses. METHODS AND RESULTS: From a panel of 92 biomarkers from different pathophysiological domains available in 1620 patients with HF, we first tested which biomarkers were dysregulated in patients with HF and AF (n = 648) compared with patients in sinus rhythm (n = 972). Secondly, pathway overrepresentation analyses were performed to identify biological pathways linked to higher plasma concentrations of biomarkers in patients who had HF and AF. Findings were validated in an independent HF cohort (n = 1219, 38% with AF). Patient with AF and HF were older, less often women, and less often had a history of coronary artery disease compared with those in sinus rhythm. In the index cohort, 24 biomarkers were up-regulated in patients with AF and HF. In the validation cohort, eight biomarkers were up-regulated, which all overlapped with the 24 biomarkers found in the index cohort. The strongest up-regulated biomarkers in patients with AF were spondin-1 (fold change 1.18, P = 1.33 × 10-12), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (fold change 1.32, P = 1.08 × 10-8), and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-7 (fold change 1.33, P = 1.35 × 10-18). Pathway overrepresentation analyses revealed that the presence of AF was associated with activation amyloid-beta metabolic processes, amyloid-beta formation, and amyloid precursor protein catabolic processes with a remarkable consistency observed in the validation cohort. CONCLUSION: In two independent cohorts of patients with HF, the presence of AF was associated with activation of three pathways related to amyloid-beta. These hypothesis-generating results warrant confirmation in future studies.

Association of Early Blood Pressure Decrease and Renal Function With Prognosis in Acute Heart Failure.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between systolic blood pressure (SBP) drop, worsening renal function (WRF), and prognosis in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). BACKGROUND: A large drop in SBP early after hospital admission for AHF might be associated with increased risk for WRF and prognosis. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the interaction between WRF and a drop in SBP on clinical outcomes. METHODS: A post hoc analysis among 6,544 patients with AHF enrolled in the RELAX-AHF-2 (Relaxin in Acute Heart Failure-2) trial was performed. Blood pressure was uniformly and repetitively measured. Peak SBP drop was defined as the difference between baseline SBP and lowest SBP documented during the first 48 hours. WRF was defined by an increase in serum creatinine of ≥0.3 mg/dL from baseline to day 5. RESULTS: Peak SBP drop was independently associated with a higher risk for WRF (HR: 1.11 per 10 mm Hg SBP drop; P < 0.001), 5-day worsening heart failure (HR: 1.12 per 10 mm Hg SBP drop; P = 0.006), and 180-day cardiovascular death (HR: 1.09 per 10 mm Hg SBP drop; P = 0.026) after adjustment for potential confounders including baseline SBP. There was no interaction between the prognostic value of early SBP drop according to the presence or absence of WRF. CONCLUSIONS: In patients hospitalized for AHF, a greater early drop in SBP was associated with a higher incidence of WRF, worsening heart failure, and an increased risk for 180-day cardiovascular death. However, the association between SBP drop and prognosis was not influenced by WRF. (Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Serelaxin When Added to Standard Therapy in AHF [RELAX-AHF-2]; NCT01870778).

Impact of mitral regurgitation in patients with worsening heart failure: insights from BIOSTAT-CHF.

AIMS: Few data regarding the prevalence and prognostic impact of mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with worsening chronic or new-onset acute heart failure (HF) are available. We investigated the role of MR in the BIOlogy Study to TAilored Treatment in Chronic Heart Failure (BIOSTAT-CHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a retrospective post-hoc analysis including patients from both the index and validation BIOSTAT-CHF cohorts with data regarding MR status. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death or HF hospitalization. Among 4023 patients included, 1653 patients (41.1%) had moderate-severe MR. Compared to others, patients with moderate-severe MR were more likely to have atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease and had larger left ventricular (LV) dimensions, lower LV ejection fraction (LVEF), worse quality of life, and higher plasma concentrations of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). A primary outcome event occurred in 697 patients with, compared to 836 patients without, moderate-severe MR [Kaplan-Meier 2-year estimate: 42.2% vs. 35.3%; hazard ratio (HR) 1.28; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16-1.41; log-rank P < 0.0001]. The association between MR and the primary endpoint remained significant after adjusting for baseline variables and the previously validated BIOSTAT-CHF risk score (adjusted HR 1.11; 95% CI 1.00-1.23; P = 0.041). Subgroup analyses showed a numerically larger impact of MR on the primary endpoint in patients with lower LVEF, larger LV end-diastolic diameter, and higher plasma NT-proBNP. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate-severe MR is common in patients with worsening chronic or new-onset acute HF and is strongly associated with outcome, independently of other features related to HF severity.

Quality of life in men and women with heart failure: association with outcome, and comparison between the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire and the EuroQol 5 dimensions questionnaire.

AIMS: We sought to analyse quality of life (QoL) measures derived from two questionnaires widely used in clinical trials, the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) and the EuroQoL 5 dimensions (EQ-5D), and to compare their prognostic value in men and women with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). METHODS AND RESULTS: From the BIOlogy Study to TAilored Treatment in Chronic Heart Failure (BIOSTAT-CHF) we compared KCCQ and EQ-5D at baseline and after 9 months in 1276 men and 373 women with new-onset or worsening symptoms of HFrEF, who were sub-optimally treated and in whom there was an anticipated up-titration of guideline-derived medical therapies. Women had significantly worse baseline QoL (median) as compared with men, both when assessed with KCCQ overall score (KCCQ-OS, 44 vs. 53, P < 0.001) and EQ-5D utility score (0.62 vs. 0.73, P < 0.001). QoL improved equally in women and men at follow-up. All summary measures of QoL were independently associated with all-cause mortality, with KCCQ-OS showing the most remarkable association with mortality up to 1 year compared to the EQ-5D scores (C-statistic 0.650 for KCCQ-OS vs. 0.633 and 0.599 for EQ-5D utility score and EQ-5D visual analogue scale, respectively). QoL was associated with all outcomes analysed, both in men and women (all P for interaction with sex >0.2). CONCLUSION: Amongst patients with HFrEF, women reported significantly worse QoL than men. QoL was independently associated with subsequent outcome, similarly in men and women. The KCCQ in general, and the KCCQ-OS in particular, showed the strongest independent association with outcome.

A heart failure phenotype stratified model for predicting 1-year mortality in patients admitted with acute heart failure: results from an individual participant data meta-analysis of four prospective European cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic models developed in general cohorts with a mixture of heart failure (HF) phenotypes, though more widely applicable, are also likely to yield larger prediction errors in settings where the HF phenotypes have substantially different baseline mortality rates or different predictor-outcome associations. This study sought to use individual participant data meta-analysis to develop an HF phenotype stratified model for predicting 1-year mortality in patients admitted with acute HF. METHODS: Four prospective European cohorts were used to develop an HF phenotype stratified model. Cox model with two rounds of backward elimination was used to derive the prognostic index. Weibull model was used to obtain the baseline hazard functions. The internal-external cross-validation (IECV) approach was used to evaluate the generalizability of the developed model in terms of discrimination and calibration. RESULTS: 3577 acute HF patients were included, of which 2368 were classified as having HF with reduced ejection fraction (EF) (HFrEF; EF < 40%), 588 as having HF with midrange EF (HFmrEF; EF 40-49%), and 621 as having HF with preserved EF (HFpEF; EF ≥ 50%). A total of 11 readily available variables built up the prognostic index. For four of these predictor variables, namely systolic blood pressure, serum creatinine, myocardial infarction, and diabetes, the effect differed across the three HF phenotypes. With a weighted IECV-adjusted AUC of 0.79 (0.74-0.83) for HFrEF, 0.74 (0.70-0.79) for HFmrEF, and 0.74 (0.71-0.77) for HFpEF, the model showed excellent discrimination. Moreover, there was a good agreement between the average observed and predicted 1-year mortality risks, especially after recalibration of the baseline mortality risks. CONCLUSIONS: Our HF phenotype stratified model showed excellent generalizability across four European cohorts and may provide a useful tool in HF phenotype-specific clinical decision-making.

Differences in biomarkers and molecular pathways according to age for patients with HFrEF.

AIMS: Elderly patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) have worse prognosis and less often receive guideline-recommended therapies. We aim to better understand the underlying pathophysiological processes associated with ageing in HFrEF potentially leading to targeted therapies in this vulnerable population. METHODS AND RESULTS: From a panel of 363 cardiovascular biomarkers available in 1611 patients with HFrEF in the BIOSTAT-CHF index cohort and cross-validated in 823 patients in the BIOSTAT-CHF validation cohort, we tested which biomarkers were dysregulated in patients aged >75 vs. <65 years. Second, pathway overrepresentation analyses were performed to identify biological pathways linked to higher plasma concentrations of biomarkers in elderly vs. younger patients. After adjustment, multiple test correction [false discovery rate (FDR) 1%], and cross-validation, 27/363 biomarkers were associated with older age, 22 positively and 5 negatively. The biomarkers that were positively associated with older age were associated with tumour cell regulation, extra-cellular matrix organization, and inflammatory processes, whereas biomarkers negatively associated with older age were associated with pathways that may point to cell proliferation and tumourigenesis. Among the 27 biomarkers, WFDC2 (WAP four-disulphide core domain protein 2)-that broadly functions as a protease inhibitor-was associated with older age and had the strongest association with all outcomes. No protein-by-sex interaction was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly HFrEF patients, pathways associated with extra-cellular matrix organization, inflammatory processes, and tumour cell regulation were activated, while pathways associated with tumour proliferation functions were down-regulated. These findings may help in a better understanding of the ageing processes in HFrEF and identify potential therapeutic targets.

Association of left ventricular ejection fraction with worsening renal function in patients with acute heart failure: insights from the RELAX-AHF-2 study.

AIMS: Whether risk of worsening renal function (WRF) during acute heart failure (AHF) hospitalization or the association between in-hospital WRF and post-discharge outcomes vary according to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is uncertain. We assessed incidence of WRF, factors related to its development and impact of WRF on post-discharge outcomes across the spectrum of LVEF in patients enrolled in RELAX-AHF-2. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 6112 patients who had LVEF measured on admission and renal function determined prospectively during hospitalization were included. WRF, defined as a rise in serum creatinine ≥0.3 mg/dL from baseline through day 5, occurred in 1722 patients (28.2%). Incidence increased progressively from lowest to highest LVEF quartile (P < 0.001). After baseline adjustment, WRF risk in Q4 (LVEF >50%) remained significantly greater than in Q1 (LVEF ≤29%; hazard ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval 1-1.43; P = 0.050). Age and comorbidity burden including chronic kidney disease increased as LVEF increased. Neither admission haemodynamic abnormalities, extent of diuresis during hospitalization nor residual congestion explained the increased incidence of WRF in patients with higher LVEF. Serelaxin treatment and diuretic responsiveness were associated with reduced risk of WRF in all LVEF quartiles. WRF in patients in the upper three LVEF quartiles increased risk of post-discharge events. CONCLUSIONS: Worsening renal function incidence during AHF hospitalization increases progressively with LVEF. Greater susceptibility of patients with higher LVEF to WRF appears more related to their advanced age and worse underlying kidney function rather than haemodynamic or treatment effects. WRF is associated with increased risk of post-discharge events except in patients in the lowest LVEF quartile.

Is acute heart failure a distinctive disorder? An analysis from BIOSTAT-CHF.

AIMS: This retrospective analysis sought to identify markers that might distinguish between acute heart failure (HF) and worsening HF in chronic outpatients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The BIOSTAT-CHF index cohort included 2516 patients with new or worsening HF symptoms: 1694 enrolled as inpatients (acute HF) and 822 as outpatients (worsening HF in chronic outpatients). A validation cohort included 935 inpatients and 803 outpatients. Multivariable models were developed in the index cohort using clinical characteristics, routine laboratory values, and proteomics data to examine which factors predict adverse outcomes in both conditions and to determine which factors differ between acute HF and worsening HF in chronic outpatients, validated in the validation cohort. Patients with acute HF had substantially higher morbidity and mortality (6-month mortality was 12.3% for acute HF and 4.7% for worsening HF in chronic outpatients). Multivariable models predicting 180-day mortality and 180-day HF readmission differed substantially between acute HF and worsening HF in chronic outpatients. Carbohydrate antigen 125 was the strongest single biomarker to distinguish acute HF from worsening HF in chronic outpatients, but only yielded a C-index of 0.71. A model including multiple biomarkers and clinical variables achieved a high degree of discrimination with a C-index of 0.913 in the index cohort and 0.901 in the validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies different characteristics and predictors of outcome in acute HF patients as compared to outpatients with chronic HF developing worsening HF. The markers identified may be useful in better diagnosing acute HF and may become targets for treatment development.

Circulating plasma concentrations of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in men and women with heart failure and effects of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors.

AIMS: The current pandemic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infects a wide age group but predominantly elderly individuals, especially men and those with cardiovascular disease. Recent reports suggest an association with use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a functional receptor for coronaviruses. Higher ACE2 concentrations might lead to increased vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 in patients on RAAS inhibitors. METHODS AND RESULTS: We measured ACE2 concentrations in 1485 men and 537 women with heart failure (index cohort). Results were validated in 1123 men and 575 women (validation cohort).The median age was 69 years for men and 75 years for women. The strongest predictor of elevated concentrations of ACE2 in both cohorts was male sex (estimate = 0.26, P < 0.001; and 0.19, P < 0.001, respectively). In the index cohort, use of ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) was not an independent predictor of plasma ACE2. In the validation cohort, ACE inhibitor (estimate = -0.17, P = 0.002) and ARB use (estimate = -0.15, P = 0.03) were independent predictors of lower plasma ACE2, while use of an MRA (estimate = 0.11, P = 0.04) was an independent predictor of higher plasma ACE2 concentrations. CONCLUSION: In two independent cohorts of patients with heart failure, plasma concentrations of ACE2 were higher in men than in women, but use of neither an ACE inhibitor nor an ARB was associated with higher plasma ACE2 concentrations. These data might explain the higher incidence and fatality rate of COVID-19 in men, but do not support previous reports suggesting that ACE inhibitors or ARBs increase the vulnerability for COVID-19 through increased plasma ACE2 concentrations.

A network analysis to identify pathophysiological pathways distinguishing ischaemic from non-ischaemic heart failure.

AIMS: Heart failure (HF) is frequently caused by an ischaemic event (e.g. myocardial infarction) but might also be caused by a primary disease of the myocardium (cardiomyopathy). In order to identify targeted therapies specific for either ischaemic or non-ischaemic HF, it is important to better understand differences in underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a biological physical protein-protein interaction network analysis to identify pathophysiological pathways distinguishing ischaemic from non-ischaemic HF. First, differentially expressed plasma protein biomarkers were identified in 1160 patients enrolled in the BIOSTAT-CHF study, 715 of whom had ischaemic HF and 445 had non-ischaemic HF. Second, we constructed an enriched physical protein-protein interaction network, followed by a pathway over-representation analysis. Finally, we identified key network proteins. Data were validated in an independent HF cohort comprised of 765 ischaemic and 100 non-ischaemic HF patients. We found 21/92 proteins to be up-regulated and 2/92 down-regulated in ischaemic relative to non-ischaemic HF patients. An enriched network of 18 proteins that were specific for ischaemic heart disease yielded six pathways, which are related to inflammation, endothelial dysfunction superoxide production, coagulation, and atherosclerosis. We identified five key network proteins: acid phosphatase 5, epidermal growth factor receptor, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1, plasminogen activator urokinase receptor, and secreted phosphoprotein 1. Similar results were observed in the independent validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Pathophysiological pathways distinguishing patients with ischaemic HF from those with non-ischaemic HF were related to inflammation, endothelial dysfunction superoxide production, coagulation, and atherosclerosis. The five key pathway proteins identified are potential treatment targets specifically for patients with ischaemic HF.

Long-term survivors of early breast cancer treated with chemotherapy are characterized by a pro-inflammatory biomarker profile compared to matched controls.

BACKGROUND: Chemo- and radiotherapy for breast cancer (BC) can lead to cardiotoxicity even years after the initial treatment. The pathophysiology behind these late cardiac effects is poorly understood. Therefore, we studied a large panel of biomarkers from different pathophysiological domains in long-term BC survivors, and compared these to matched controls. METHODS AND RESULTS: In total 91 biomarkers were measured in 688 subjects: 342 BC survivors stratified either to treatment with chemotherapy ± radiotherapy (n = 170) or radiotherapy alone (n = 172) and matched controls. Mean age was 59 ± 9 years and 65 ± 8 years for women treated with chemotherapy ± radiotherapy and radiotherapy alone, respectively, with a mean time since treatment of 11 ± 5.5 years. No biomarkers were differentially expressed in survivors treated with radiotherapy alone vs. controls (P for all >0.1). In sharp contrast, a total of 19 biomarkers were elevated, relative to controls, in BC survivors treated with chemotherapy ± radiotherapy after correction for multiple comparisons (P <0.05 for all). Network analysis revealed upregulation of pathways relating to collagen degradation and activation of matrix metalloproteinases. Furthermore, several inflammatory biomarkers including growth differentiation factor 15, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 16, tumour necrosis factor super family member 13b and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, elevated in survivors treated with chemotherapy, showed an independent association with lower left ventricular ejection fraction. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy ± radiotherapy show a distinct biomarker profile associated with mild cardiac dysfunction even 10 years after treatment. These results suggest that an ongoing pro-inflammatory state and activation of matrix metalloproteinases following initial treatment with chemotherapy might play a role in the observed cardiac dysfunction in late BC survivors.