Relationship between Soluble ST2 and Left Ventricular Geometry in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a highly prevalent presentation of cardiac structural abnormality and a strong predictor of adverse outcomes in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Different left ventricular geometry may provide additional clinical information. Soluble ST2 is a novel cardiac prognostic biomarker in MHD patients and is closely related to cardiac remodeling. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> This study sought to evaluate the association of sST2 and left ventricular structure in a cohort of MHD patients. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Two hundred eighty-seven patients were enrolled. Left ventricular structure was assessed via transthoracic echocardiography. Left ventricular geometric patterns were defined according to left ventricular mass index and relative wall thickness (RWT). Serum sST2 levels were measured. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Prevalence of LVH was 44.9% in the study population. In univariate analysis, sST2 levels were correlated with interventricular septal wall thickness, posterior wall thickness, and RWT. After multivariate adjustment, sST2 was independently correlated with only RWT (<i>p</i> = 0.028). Comparing sST2 concentrations across different LV geometric patterns, we found sST2 levels were significantly increased in patients with concentric cardiac remodeling and concentric LVH. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The present study found that sST2 were significantly increased in patients with concentric remodeling and concentric LVH. ST2/interleukin (IL)-33 signaling might participate in the process of cardiac remodeling via its pro-fibrotic action. Future studies on the mechanism of ST2/IL-33 pathway are needed.