Concentrations of angiotensin II, endothelin-1, and BNP in the coronary sinus and ascending aorta of patients with heart disease

Blood gas analysis of the coronary sinus in patients with heart failure

The difference in cardiac oxygen consumption between individuals with normal cardiac function and those with heart failure (HF), and the association between cardiac oxygen consumption and cardiac ejection fraction (EF) are poorly understood. By establishing a control group composed of individuals with normal cardiac function, the present study aimed to determine the difference in cardiac oxygen consumption between individuals with normal and abnormal cardiac function, as well as the association between cardiac oxygen consumption and cardiac EF. A total of 34 patients with normal cardiac function were enrolled in the control group and 44 patients with HF were enrolled in the experimental group. Blood samples from the aortic root, femoral vein and coronary sinus (CS) were collected from each patient. All the blood samples were subjected to blood gas analysis. The partial pressure of oxygen and oxygen saturation obtained from the peripheral vein and CS of patients with HF were lower than those in patients with normal cardiac function. In each patient with HF, the association between cardiac oxygen consumption and cardiac EF was analyzed using multi-linear correlation and regression analyses. Cardiac oxygen consumption negatively correlated with cardiac EF (R=-0.336, P=0.026). Furthermore, linear regression analysis suggested that cardiac EF had a significant effect on cardiac oxygen consumption (y = 82.906-0.483×, P=0.026). In conclusion, myocardial oxygen consumption is greater in individuals with HF compared to those with normal cardiac function. The cardiac EF affects myocardial oxygen consumption in patients with HF.

Direct comparison between endothelin-1, N-terminal proatrial natriuretic factor, and brain natriuretic peptide as prognostic markers of survival in congestive heart failure

BACKGROUND

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and cardiac natriuretic peptide plasma concentrations have prognostic significance in congestive heart failure (CHF). However, their respective prognostic values in this setting have never been directly compared.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We studied the prognostic performances of ET-1, N-terminal proatrial natriuretic factor (N-proANF), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) to predict the long-term cardiac mortality in fully treated patients with CHF. Peripheral plasma concentrations of the 3 peptides were measured in 109 patients (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] < 35%) in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classes II (n = 65) or III to IV (n = 44). The outcome of the patients was evaluated 3 years after the beginning of the study, and a Cox regression model was used to identify predictors of death. Plasma concentrations of the 3 peptides increased with the severity of heart failure. By univariate analysis, 6 parameters were significantly associated with death during follow-up: ET-1 level, NYHA classes III to IV, N-proANF level, BNP level, LVEF, and age (all P < .01). By multivariate analysis, only ET-1 level and, to a lesser extent, N-proANF level contributed significantly and independently to risk stratification (chi2 = 53.4 and 12.8; P < .0001 and P < .001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In a group of patients in whom the vast majority were administered angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy, plasma ET-1 and N-proANF concentrations identify better than several clinical markers a very high-risk group, fairly amenable to heart transplantation or new therapies.