High plasma adiponectin is related to low functional capacity in patients with chronic heart failure.

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the association between plasma adiponectin and functional capacity in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Similarly to NT-proBNP, plasma adiponectin was elevated in CHF compared to healthy controls. Adiponectin correlated inversely with peak oxygen consumption and 6-minute walking distance and was able to identify CHF patients with impaired exercise capacity. Our findings support a role of adiponectin as an index of heart failure severity.