Claudia Aznar Alesso et al. João Queda Dania Mohty Vera Maria Cury Salemi
Heart failure (HF) involves systemic inflammation and metabolic alterations. The prevalence is rising due to improvements in HF treatments and longer life expectancy in the population. Also, the diagnostic approach of patients with HF has markedly increased with the development of new algorithms to promote earlier diagnosis.
Careful use of biomarkers might help to refine the diagnosis and management and further improve the prognosis of HF patients. The term “biomarker” (from biological marker) was coined in 1989 to identify a measurable and quantifiable biological parameter used to assess the health and physiology of patients in terms of disease risk and diagnosis. Since Braunwald’s first studies in the 1950s on C-reactive protein (CRP) in HF, hundreds of molecules have been studied, but only B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide come close to the characteristics of ideal HF biomarker. However, relying on easily measurable congestion biomarkers such as BNPs misses approximately one-third of all affected patients. It may be disproportionately high for patients with renal failure, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, and chronic hypoxia.–
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