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Review
. 2024 Feb 2;16(2):e53445.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.53445. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Novel Biomarkers in Early Detection of Heart Failure: A Narrative Review

Affiliations
Review

Novel Biomarkers in Early Detection of Heart Failure: A Narrative Review

Maryam Kayani et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) represents a significant global health challenge, characterized by a variety of symptoms resulting from cardiac dysfunction. This dysfunction often leads to systemic and pulmonary congestion. The pathophysiology of HF is complex, involving stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, which is insufficiently balanced by the release of natriuretic peptide. This imbalance leads to progressive hypertrophy and dilatation of the heart's chambers, impairing its pumping efficiency and increasing the risk of arrhythmias and conduction disorders. The prevalence of HF is exceptionally high in industrialized nations and is expected to increase owing to an aging population and advancements in diagnostic methods. This study emphasizes the critical role of early diagnosis in reducing morbidity and mortality associated with HF, focusing specifically on the evolving importance of biomarkers in managing this condition. Biomarkers have played a key role in transforming the diagnosis and treatment of HF. Traditional biomarkers such as b-type natriuretic peptide and N-terminal pro-b-type natriuretic peptide have been widely adopted for their cost-effectiveness and ease of access. However, the rise of novel biomarkers such as growth differentiation factor 15 and adrenomedullin has shown promising results, offering superior sensitivity and specificity. These new biomarkers enhance diagnostic accuracy, risk stratification, and prognostic evaluation in HF patients. Despite these advancements, challenges remain, such as limited availability, high costs, and the need for further validation in diverse patient populations. Through a comprehensive literature review across databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library, this study compiles and analyzes data from 18 relevant studies, offering a detailed understanding of the current state of HF biomarkers. The study examines both traditional and emerging biomarkers such as galectin-3 and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 in HF, exploring their clinical roles and impact on patient outcomes.

Keywords: bnp; cardiac troponin; heart failure; procalcitonin; serum biomarkers.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. An illustration demonstrating the correlation between different biomarkers and the pathophysiological processes that underlie heart failure.
The figure is created using www.Canva.com for graphic design. GDF-15 = growth differentiation factor 15; sST2 = soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2; H-FABP = heart-type fatty acid-binding protein

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