Adrenomedullin plasma levels predict left ventricular reverse remodeling after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

BACKGROUND

Increase in adrenomedullin (ADM) plasma levels in congestive heart failure (HF) patients is due to many cardiac and systemic factors, particularly to greater fluid retention and to activation of sympathetic nervous system. Aim of this study was to assess the role of plasma ADM levels in HF patients treated by cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

METHODS

50 patients, mean age 70 years, 34 male, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III-IV HF, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 35%, underwent CRT. All patients were in sinus rhythm and with complete left bundle branch block (QRS duration 138 +/- 6 msec). A complete echoDoppler exam, blood samples for brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and ADM were obtained from 2 to 7 days before implantation.

RESULTS

At 16 +/- 6 months follow-up, >or=1 NYHA Class improvement was observed in 38 patients. However, a >10% reduction in end-systolic dimensions (ESD) was reported in 21 patients (Group I): -16.6 +/- 1.8%; in the remaining 29 patients ESD change was almost negligible: -2.0 +/- 1.03% (Group II), P < 0.0001. The two groups were comparable for age, sex, cause of LV dysfunction, therapy, QRS duration at baseline, preimplantation ESD, LVEF%, and BNP. Significantly higher pre implantation ADM levels were present in Group I than in Group II (27.2 +/- 1.8 pmol/l vs 17.9 +/- 1.4, P = 0.0003).

CONCLUSIONS

Significantly higher ADM levels indicate a subgroup of patients in whom reverse remodeling can be observed after CRT. Patients with lower ADM basal values before CRT could represent a group in whom the dysfunction is so advanced that no improvement can be expected.