Noninvasive Prognostic Biomarkers for Left-Sided Heart Failure as Predictors of Survival in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Catherine E. Simpson, Rachel L. Damico, Paul M. Hassoun, Lisa J. Martin, Jun Yang, Melanie K. Nies, R. Dhananjay Vaidya, Stephanie Brandal, Michael W. Pauciulo, Eric D. Austin, D. Dunbar Ivy, William C. Nichols, Allen D. Everett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Three biomarkers, soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2), galectin 3 (Gal3), and N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide prohormone (NT-proBNP), are approved for noninvasive risk assessment in left-sided heart failure, and small observational studies have shown their prognostic usefulness in heterogeneous pulmonary hypertension cohorts. We examined associations between these biomarkers and disease severity and survival in a large cohort of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (ie, group 1 pulmonary hypertension). We hypothesized that additive use of biomarkers in combination would improve the prognostic value of survival models. Methods: Biomarker measurements and clinical data were obtained from 2,017 adults with group 1 PAH. Associations among biomarker levels and clinical variables, including survival times, were examined with multivariable regression models. Likelihood ratio tests and the Akaike information criterion were used to compare survival models. Results: Higher ST2 and NT-proBNP were associated with higher pulmonary pressures and vascular resistance and lower 6-min walk distance. Higher ST2 and NT-proBNP levels were associated with increased risk of death (hazard ratios: 2.79; 95% CI, 2.21-3.53; P < .001 and 1.84; 95% CI, 1.62-2.10; P < .001, respectively). The addition of ST2 to survival models composed of other predictors of survival, including NT-proBNP, significantly improved model fit and predictive capacity. Conclusions: ST2 and NT-proBNP are strong, noninvasive prognostic biomarkers in PAH. Despite its prognostic value in left-sided heart failure, Gal3 was not predictive in PAH. Adding ST2 to survival models significantly improves model predictive capacity. Future studies are needed to develop multimarker assays that improve noninvasive risk stratification in PAH.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1606-1616
Number of pages11
JournalCHEST
Volume157
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2020

Keywords

  • biomarkers
  • heart failure
  • molecular biology
  • pulmonary hypertension

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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