Abstract 11538: Association of ST2 Serum Levels With Endothelial Dysfunction and Aortic Wall Properties in Heart Failure Subjects

• Published in: Circulation (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 138; no. Suppl_1 Suppl 1; p. A11538
• Main Authors: Oikonomou, Evangelos, Dimitropoulos, Efstathios, Siasos, Gerasimos, Mourouzis, Konstantinos, Tsigkou, Vasiliki, Karlis, Dimitrios, Vogiatzi, Georgia, Athanasiou, Dimitrios, Miliou, Antigoni, Tousoulis, Dimitris
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: by the American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American Heart Association, Inc 06.11.2018
• ISSN: 0009-7322; 1524-4539

IntroductionSoluble suppression of tumorigenicity (ST2) is related to myocardial dysfunction, fibrosis, cardiac remodeling as well as inflammatory and immune processes. A-type natriuretic peptide (ANP) has potent diuretic and vasodilative actions. Mid-regional epitopes of these peptide (MRproANP) present increased stability in plasma. Endothelial function and vascular peripheral resistance may be implicated in prognosis and functional status of patients with heart failure (HF).HypothesisSerum ST2 levels may be associated with endothelial dysfunction and peripheral vascular properties in patients with HF.MethodsIn this study we enrolled 153 subjects with stable chronic systolic HF, NYHA class 2 to 4 and 50 age and sex matched healthy subjects (control group). Endothelial function was evaluated non-invasively by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in branchial artery. Applanation tonometry was used to measure augmentation index (AIx) as an index of the reflected arterial waves. Demographic, clinical baseline characteristics, ST2 and MRproANP levels were also assessed.ResultsThere was no difference in age (64±12 years vs. 65±11 years, p=0.34) and male gender (62% vs. 59%, p=0.41) between patients with HF and controls. ST2 levels (17.01±9.74pg/ml vs. 9.52±4.61pg/ml, p<0.001) and MRproANP levels [622 (173-1072pmol/litre) vs. 66 (24-456pmol/litre, p=0.02] were increased while FMD (5.44±3.06% vs. 6.89±2.98%, p=0.01) and AIx (23.94±9.79% vs. 18.75±8.72%, p=0.003) were impaired in patients with HF compared to controls. Patients with HF exhibited a stepwise increase in ST2 levels according to NYHA status [NYHA 112.82±7.49pg/ml vs. NYHA 216.15±9.57pg/ml vs. NYHA 320.42±10.12pg/ml), p=0.009] and an inverse association between ST2 levels and FMD (r=-0.486, p<0.001). Additionally, ST2 levels were positively associated with AIx (r=0.24, p=0.004).ConclusionsST2 levels are linked to the functional status of HF as well as with endothelial and arterial wall impairment in patients with HF. These findings highlight another possible mechanism in the interplay between arterial function, HF progression and HF functional status.