Several new biomarkers have been recently described in Heart Failure (HF) syndrome either in stable chronic patients as in the settings of acute decompensation. Biomarkers are used to diagnose disease risk, to predict outcome and to tailor treatment to individuals.
Speaking at a press conference at Heart Failure 2009 in Nice, France, Prof Piotr Ponikowski, spokesperson for the European Society of Cardiology, presented these new findings, namely:
"Biomarker" is a very broad term that refers to parameter reflecting or characterizing a certain biological process. It may include variety of indices/parameters derived from clinical images, physiological tests, tissue biopsies, and even genetic variants, but most often, this term is reserved for blood or urine based assessments.
As examples of biomarkers assessed in the blood, which are already well established and widely used in clinical practice:
Biomarker assessments are used in many clinical scenarios, in the emergency department, on the ward, in the outpatient clinic and in the near future at the patient's home (using telemedicine platform).
In heart failure, biomarkers aid in the diagnosis, help to assess co-morbidities in patients, may be useful in the risk stratification, monitoring of therapy and even serve as a therapeutic target. Importantly, many biomarkers may provide an insight into the pathophysiology of HF.
"The field of HF biomarkers continues to grow exponentially", explains Prof Ponikowski from Military Hospital in Wroclaw, Poland. "The following is a new classification, recently proposed by Prof Eugene Braunwald, according to which biomarkers can reflect/characterize different aspects of HF:
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* More information on Heart Failure Congress 2009 and on the press releases is available from the ESC press office at press@escardio.org OR on site at +33 (0)6 22 41 84 92.