sST2 Level at Decompensated Chronic Heart Failure in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationship between clinical and functional changes and sST2 levels in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) admitted to the hospital due to decompensated chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods and Results: The study involved 64 DCM patients with clinical signs of decompensated CHF. According to the sST2 level, the patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 30 patients with sST2 level <35ng/ml; Group 2 included 34 patients with sST2 level ≥35ng/ml. All patients underwent the following examinations: collection of anamnestic data, physical examination, general clinical and laboratory blood tests, 12-lead ECG, conventional 2D echocardiography in M- and B-modes, the 6MWT, and the assessment of the quality of life according to the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). The serum level of sST2 was determined by enzyme immunoassay using the Presage ST2 Assay. The duration of CHF was significantly longer in Group 2 than in Group 1(48.7±6.5 mth versus 29.6±7 mth P<0.05), and the number of hospitalizations per year was more frequent. Group 2 patients were characterized by lower blood pressure levels and high heart rate (P<0.05). At the same time, the 6MWT value was lower and MLHFQ score was higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (P<0.001 in both cases). In Group 1, LVEF was significantly higher and LVM was significantly lower than in Group 2 (P<0.001). All in all, Group 2 patients had more pronounced disorders in LV systolic dysfunction. The correlation analysis revealed an inverse correlation between the sST2 level and 6MWT (r=-0.69, P<0.01), as well as LVEF (r=-0.26, P<0.01). Statistically significant direct correlations were found between the sST2evel and the size and volume of the LV cavities. Conclusion: sST2 is a clinically relevant biomarker that reflects pathophysiological processes and provides prognostic information in the setting of DCM, especially in patients with HF.