Higher plasma IL-6 and PTX3 are associated with worse survival in left heart failure with pulmonary hypertension
American Heart Journal Plus: Cardiology Research and Practice, 2022
Helleberg S., Engel A., Ahmed S., Ahmed A., Rådegran G.
| Disease area | Application area | Sample type | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
CVD | Patient Stratification | Plasma |  Olink Target 96 |
Abstract
Introduction
Left heart failure (LHF) is commonly complicated by pulmonary hypertension (PH), increasing morbidity and mortality. The present study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of inflammatory proteins in LHF with PH (LHF-PH).
Materials and methods
The levels of 65 plasma proteins, analysed with proximity extension assay, were compared between healthy controls (n = 20), patients with left heart failure (LHF) and pulmonary hypertension (LHF-PH, n = 67) comprising both HFpEF-PH (n = 31) and HFrEF-PH (n = 36), and in a LHF subpopulation before and after heart transplantation (HT, n = 19). Haemodynamic parameters were measured using right heart catheterization.
Results
Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and Pentraxin related protein PTX3 (PTX3) were elevated in LHF-PH vs. controls (p < 0.001) and these decreased after HT compared to before HT (p < 0.001). Plasma IL-6 and PTX3 correlated to elevated NT-proBNP (r = 0.44, p = 0.0002 and r = 0.4, p = 0.0009 respectively). Additionally, IL-6 correlated with the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (r = 0.4, p = 0.0009) and mean right atrial pressure (r = 0.51, p < 0.0001). Higher levels of IL-6 and PTX3 were associated with worse survival rates in patients with LHF-PH (Log rank p < 0.01).
Discussion
In patients with LHF-PH, higher plasma levels of IL-6 and PTX3 were associated with worse survival rates. Future larger studies to validate and investigate the direct clinical applicability of IL-6 and PTX3 as potential prognostic biomarkers are encouraged.