慢性心力衰竭患者外周血中血浆肾素活性和利钠肽水平的变化及卡维地洛对其影响

目的　观察慢性心力衰竭 (心衰 )患者外周血中血浆肾素活性 (PRA)、心钠肽 (ANP)及脑钠肽 (N BNP)水平的变化及卡维地洛对其影响。方法　 6 0例慢性心衰患者随机分为常规治疗组 (血管紧张素转换酶抑制 +利尿剂 +地高辛 )和卡维地洛组 (常治疗药物 +卡维地洛 ) ,随访 12w ,采用放射免疫法测定二组治疗前后和 30例健康体检者 (正常对照组 )外周血中PRA、ANP、及N BNP水平。同时使用核素心室显像测定心衰患者左心室射血分数 (LVEF)。结果　心衰患者外周血中PRA、ANP及N BNP水平较正常对照组显著升高 ,其中ANP及N BNP水平在卡维地洛治疗前与LVEF负相关 ,在卡维地洛治疗后与LVEF密切相关 ,但PRA水平与LVEF无关。治疗后卡维地洛组外周血中PRA、ANP及N BNP水平较常规治疗组下降更明显。结论　外周血中ANP及N BNP水平在慢性心衰的病理生理机制中起着重要作用 ,甚至在 β受体阻滞剂治疗后仍可用于指导心衰患者的治疗。β受体阻滞剂能抑制心衰患者神经内分泌的过度激活。     

美托洛尔与卡维地洛对慢性心力衰竭患者心功能及B型利钠肽的影响

目的对比观察美托洛尔及卡维地洛对慢性心力衰竭(CHF)患者的疗效及对血浆B型利钠肽(BNP)的影响。方法将48例CHF患者随机分为美托洛尔组(24例)和卡维地洛组(24例),测定治疗前后临床心功能分级、血压、心率、超声左心室功能指标及BNP水平。结果两组治疗后,心功能症状均有改善,心率、血压下降,超声左室末期内径缩小,左心室射血分数增加,BNP明显下降,卡维地洛组优于美托洛尔组。结论美托洛尔及卡维地洛均可有效改善CHF患者心功能及明显降低BNP,卡维地洛优于美托洛尔。     

卡维地洛对老年慢性心力衰竭合并室性心律失常患者血清肾上腺素受体自身抗体的影响

目的 研究卡维地洛对老年慢性心力衰竭(心衰)合并室性心律失常(室律失常)患者血清抗β1、β2和α1肾上腺素受体自身抗体的影响.方法 将68例老年冠心病心衰合并有室律失常的患者随机分为两组,在常规强心利尿治疗的同时,一组给予美托洛尔、另一组给予卡维地洛治疗,检测两组治疗前和治疗后6个月心脏超声、B型利钠肽(BNP)、动态心电图和抗β1、β2和α1受体自身抗体阳性率的改变,同时检测治疗前后血压、心率、肝和肾功能的变化.结果 与治疗前相比,两组均使心衰患者的基础心率和BNP下降,左室射血分数(LVEF值)升高,心脏功能得到改善;与美托洛尔组相比,卡维地洛治疗后收缩压和BNP下降更明显,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).美托洛尔治疗后,可使患者血清中抗β1受体自身抗体的阳性率下降(P<0.05),而对抗β2和α1 受体自身抗体的阳性率没有影响(P>0.05).卡维地洛治疗后,血清中抗β1、β2和α1受体自身抗体的阳性率均明显下降(P<0.01),室律失常的发生率也比美托洛尔治疗组明显下降(P<0.01).结论 对老年冠心病慢性心衰合并室律失常患者,应用卡维地洛比美托洛尔能更有效地降低室律失常的发生.     

美托洛尔和卡维地洛对慢性心力衰竭的影响

目的比较选择性β1受体阻滞剂美托洛尔和非选择性β受体阻滞剂卡维地洛治疗对慢性心力衰竭(CHF)代谢底物、细胞因子及心脏功能的影响。方法选择CHF患者86例(CHF组)及健康体检者25例(正常对照组)。CHF组患者又随机分为美托洛尔组(43例)和卡维地洛组(43例)。记录两组CHF患者治疗前后心功能分级及不良事件次数及TNF-α、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)和白细胞介素-6(IL-6)含量。所有入选者均测定血清游离脂肪酸(FFA)含量。结果美托洛尔组和卡维地洛组患者经过治疗后心功能明显改善(P<0.01),其中卡维地洛组更加明显(P<0.01)。美托洛尔组不良事件40次,卡维地洛组不良事件24次(P<0.01)。血浆TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-6较治疗前显著降低(P<0.05)。卡维地洛组较美托洛尔组TNFα和IL-1β降低更明显(P<0.01,P<0.05)。CHF组患者血清FFA含量同正常对照组比较明显升高(P<0.01)。治疗后卡维地洛组血清FFA较美托洛尔组降低更明显(P<0.01)。结论β受体阻滞剂可以改善CHF患者心功能,降低血浆细胞因子及FFA水平,非选择性的β受体阻滞剂卡维地洛优于选择性的β1受体阻滞剂美托洛尔。     

BNP检测对乌拉地尔治疗难治性心力衰竭的疗效评价

目的探讨乌拉地尔治疗难治性心力衰竭(CHF)中B型脑钠肽(BNP)的检测价值。方法选择经1～2周正规抗心力衰竭治疗,心功能Ⅲ～Ⅳ级(NYHA)患者36例,将其分为基础治疗组18例(血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂、地高辛、利尿剂),乌拉地尔治疗组18例(基础治疗加乌拉地尔)。治疗前进行BNP测定、心功能分级及左心室射血分数(LVEF)检查,治疗结束即刻测定BNP及心功能分级评价,次日超声心动图检查LVEF。结果心衰有效治疗后BNP显著下降,心功能有显著改善,LVEF明显升高,其中乌拉地尔治疗组BNP下降最显著。结论在评价难治性心力衰竭患者接受乌拉地尔治疗反应中BNP具有临床参考价值。     

β-受体阻滞剂治疗慢性充血性心力衰竭的临床疗效观察

目的观察联合β-受体阻滞剂美托洛尔治疗慢性充血性心力衰竭(CHF)的临床疗效及安全性。方法 CHF患者59例,分别给予常规治疗(常规治疗组,27例)和加用美托洛尔(美托洛尔组,32例),治疗3个月。治疗前后用数字化无创血流动力学检测仪测量心指数(CI)、心输出量(CO)、左心做功(LCW);用免疫放射分析法测定B型钠尿肽(BNP),观察治疗前后两组患者心功能和血浆BNP的变化及组间差异。结果治疗前两组患者NY-HA分级、CO、CI、LCW、BNP比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗后两组上述指标比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 CHF患者在常规治疗基础上加用β-受体阻滞剂治疗,能进一步改善心功能,降低血清BNP水平。     

充血性心力衰竭QT间期离散度及卡维地洛尔的影响

目的　观察充血性心力衰竭 (CHF)患者 QT间期离散度 (QTd)变化及 β-受体阻滞剂卡维地洛尔对其影响。方法　 5 3例 CHF患者和 30例健康人作 QTd测定 ,所有 CHF患者在常规治疗基础上随机分为卡维地洛尔组 (2 6例 )和治疗对照组 (2 7例 )。结果　 CHF患者 QTd明显大于健康人 (P<0 .0 1) ;卡维地洛尔组能显著降低 CHF患者QTd(P<0 .0 5 ) ,而治疗对照组治疗前后 QTd无显著变化 (P>0 .0 5 )。结论　 CHF患者 QTd明显增加 ;β-受体阻滞剂对 CHF患者 QTd有改善作用     

卡维地洛对慢性心力衰竭心功能和ANP及BNP的影响

目的观察卡维地洛(达利全)对慢性心力衰竭(CHF)患者心功能和ANP/BNP的影响。方法60例CHF患者,在常规治疗病情基本稳定的基础上,增加服用卡维地洛,从每次3.125mg开始,2次/d,缓慢递增。治疗前后分别进行心率、血压、心功能分期评估和血清ANP/BNP测定。结果与治疗前相比,治疗5个月后,心率明显下降(P<0.01),心功能分级明显改善,血清ANP/BNP明显下降(P<0.01)。66.7%患者服用卡维地洛剂量可达到目标剂量25mg,2次/d;33.3%患者使用中等剂量12.5mg,2次/d,维持治疗。结论长期服用卡维地洛能改善心功能,降低血清ANP和BNP水平。     

卡维地洛、美托洛尔对心衰大鼠心功能及体液因子的影响

目的探讨β受体阻滞剂卡维地洛、美托洛尔对心衰大鼠体液因子及心功能的影响。方法建立心衰大鼠模型,随机分为三组,B组为安慰剂组;C组给予卡维地洛,D组给予美托洛尔;同时设假手术组(A组)。观察6周后行心脏超声、血流动力学检查,以及血清尿钠素(ANP)、血管紧张素(Ang)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、白介素6(IL-6)及去甲基肾上腺素(NE)测定。结果β受体阻滞剂能显著降低心衰大鼠的左室舒张末压,增加左室短轴缩短率、左室压力最大上升及下降速率,以及ANP、TNF-α、IL-6、NE(均P<0.05),减小室间隔厚度及左室质量指数(LVWI)(P<0.05);其中卡维地洛降低Ang、减小左室舒张末期直径、降低LVWI的作用明显优于美托洛尔(P<0.05)。结论β受体阻滞剂能较全面地降低神经内分泌、细胞因子,这可能是其改善心脏功能,抑制左室重塑的机制之一。卡维地洛降低神经内分泌、细胞因子,减轻心肌重塑的作用优于美托洛尔。     

不同病因心衰患者血浆脑钠素水平的影响

目的　观察不同病因心衰患者血浆脑钠素(BNP)水平的变化 ,探讨BNP在心衰发病机制中所起的作用以及 β -受体阻滞剂对心衰患者BNP水平的影响。 方法　采用酶联免疫吸附试验 (ELISA)法测定心衰患者血浆BNP水平。结果　心衰组BNP水平与正常对照组相比显著升高(P <0 0 1)。重度心衰心功能Ⅲ、Ⅳ级BNP水平明显高于心功能Ⅱ级。BNP变化的幅度在冠心病、扩张型心肌病不同病因心衰中有所不同 ,冠心病心衰BNP水平升高更明显 (P <0 0 1)。心衰患者中常规治疗组与非 β -受体阻滞剂治疗组相比 ,美托洛尔和卡维地洛治疗组BNP水平明显降低 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　心衰患者血浆BNP水平显著升高 ,BNP水平与心衰严重程度呈正相关 ,冠心病心衰BNP水平较扩张型心肌病组明显升高 ,提示冠心病心肌缺血损伤可能进一步促进BNP分泌。美托洛尔和卡维地洛均能下调心衰BNP水平 ,可能是不同β -受体阻滞剂逆转心衰神经激素过度激活的共同作用机制之一。     

Brain natriuretic peptide response is heterogeneous during beta-blocker therapy for congestive heart failure

BACKGROUND: Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are useful marker to guide medical treatment in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). We tested the hypothesis that the plasma BNP concentration would be a useful marker of beta-blocker therapy for CHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighty-four patients with New York Heart Association class II-IV CHF and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40% were treated with beta-blockers, including metoprolol and carvedilol, for at least 16 weeks. End-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions decreased, and radionuclide LVEF increased 4 weeks after introduction of beta-blockers (early phase). LV end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions both decreased, and LVEF increased 16 to 48 weeks after the therapy (late phase). However, the BNP concentration did not change during the observation period. Overall LV function improved in all 4 subgroups divided according to the baseline BNP levels. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma BNP concentration is not a sensitive marker of successful beta-blocker therapy for CHF.     

Effect of beta-blocker on left ventricular function and natriuretic peptides in patients with chronic heart failure treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor

To evaluate whether or not beta-blockers can improve the condition of patients with heart failure treated with a combination of diuretics, digitalis and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), 52 patients with chronic heart failure who have been treated with ACEI for more than 6 months were enrolled. They were divided into 2 groups: 26 patients continued the same therapy another 6 months or more (group A), and 26 patients were given oral metoprolol for 6 months or more, in addition to the ACEI (group B). Echocardiographic parameters and atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP) were measured. The left ventricular dimensions at end-diastole and end-systole were significantly decreased and fractional shortening was significantly increased in group B after 6 months' treatment with the beta-blocker, but these parameters remained unchanged in group A. Plasma levels of both ANP and BNP were significantly decreased in group B, but remained unchanged in group A. These results indicate that concomitant beta-blocker therapy can improve left ventricular function and attenuate plasma ANP and BNP levels in patients with chronic heart failure treated with ACEI.     

慢性心力衰竭患者血浆利钠肽水平的变化

目的 :研究慢性心力衰竭 (CHF)患者血浆利钠肽 (ANP、BNP、CNP)水平的变化及其与心功能状态、心脏结构的关系 ,探讨其用于CHF诊断的价值。方法 :4 8例CHF患者为心力衰竭组 ,心功能按HYHA标准分级 :Ⅱ级 15例 ,Ⅲ级 2 4例 ,Ⅳ级 9例 ,基本病因为冠心病、扩张型心肌病、高血压性心脏病 ;对照组 10例 ,为健康体检者。用同位素放射免疫法和免疫放射法测定血浆ANP、BNP、CNP水平 ,心脏彩色多普勒超声诊断仪测量左室结构和功能。结果 :心力衰竭组血浆ANP、BNP水平均较对照组显著增高(P均 <0 0 1) ,并与心功能严重程度有关 ,但不同病因的CHF患者之间血浆ANP、BNP、CNP水平均无明显差异 (P均 >0 0 5 )。其中LVEF <4 5 %的患者 4 1例 ,其血浆BNP水平和LVEF负相关 (r=- 0 37,P <0 0 5 ) ,和左室舒张末期内径 (LVEDD)、左室心肌重量指数 (LVMI)呈正相关 (r均为 0 36 ,P均 <0 0 5 ) ,血浆ANP、BNP水平和肺动脉收缩压正相关 (P <0 0 5或P <0 0 1)。血浆CNP水平在CHF患者无明显升高 (P >0 0 5 )。结论 :血浆ANP、BNP水平可作为反映心功能状态的指标 ,其中血浆BNP水平更为敏感、特异并且和心脏结构相关 ,可作为CHF诊断及鉴别诊断的指标     

Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist decreases plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 and soluble adhesion molecules in patients with chronic heart failure

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of an angiotensin (Ang II) type 1 receptor antagonist on immune markers in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). BACKGROUND: Ang II stimulates production of immune factors via the Ang II type 1 receptor in vitro, and the long-term effects of Ang II type 1 receptor antagonists on plasma markers of immune activation are unknown in patients with CHF. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with mild to moderate CHF with left ventricular dysfunction were randomly divided into two groups: treatment with Ang II type 1 receptor (candesartan cilexetil) (n = 14) or placebo (n = 9). We measured plasma levels of immune factors such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1). We also measured plasma levels of the neurohumoral factors such as atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), a biological marker of ANP and BNP. RESULTS: Plasma levels of TNFalpha, IL-6, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were increased in the 23 CHF patients compared with normal subjects and significantly decreased after 14 weeks of candesartan cilexetil treatment, but did not change in the placebo group. Plasma levels of BNP, which is a marker of ventricular injury, significantly decreased, and the molar ratio of plasma cGMP to cardiac natriuretic peptides (ANP + BNP) was significantly increased after candesartan cilexetil treatment, but did not change in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that 14 weeks of treatment with an Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist (candesartan cilexetil) decreased plasma levels of the immune markers such as TNFalpha, IL-6, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 and that it improved the biological compensatory action of endogenous cardiac natriuretic peptides in patients with mild to moderate CHF.     

Comparison of the effects of carvedilol and metoprolol on exercise ventilatory efficiency in patients with congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUND: The slope of the relationship between ventilation and carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2 slope), obtained during symptom-limited ramp exercise testing, reflects exercise ventilatory efficiency. Importantly, the VE/VCO2 slope is related to prognosis in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between the institution of beta-blockers, carvedilol or metoprolol, and the VE/VCO2 slope during exercise in patients with CHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients with New York Heart Association functional class II or III with a radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of less than 40% received carvedilol or metoprolol in a randomized fashion. The VE/VCO2 slope, LVEF and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration were determined before and after 16 weeks of treatment. LVEF improved (p<0.01), but the VE/VCO2 slope and BNP did not. A significant improvement in the VE/VCO2 slope was observed in patients with LVEF <29% or BNP >63 pg/ml (respective baseline median values) (p<0.05, p<0.05). In patients with BNP >63 pg/ml, the improvement effect on the VE/VCO2 slope with carvedilol was significantly greater than that with metoprolol (p<0.05) and a significant improvement in the VE/VCO2 slope was observed only in those who took carvedilol (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The VE/VCO2 slope was not improved after beta-blocker therapy in any of the patients. However, it did improve in patients with a lower LVEF or higher BNP level at baseline, and carvedilol was more effective than metoprolol in improving the VE/VCO2 slope in patients with higher BNP levels at baseline.     

Comparative left ventricular functional and neurohumoral effects of chronic treatment with carvedilol versus metoprolol in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

The efficacy of treating dilated cardiomyopathy with metoprolol was compared with that of carvedilol. Metoprolol was administered to 29 patients, and carvedilol to 62. Patients who could not be dosed with up to 40 mg daily of metoprolol or 20 mg daily of carvedilol were defined as intolerant. As well as the tolerability of these beta-blockers, the effects on left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVDd), fractional shortening (FS), plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations, the delayed heart and mediastinum (H/M) ratio determined from metaiodobenzylguanidine imaging were compared. Drug intolerance occurred in 24% of patients in the metoprolol group and 19% in the carvedilol group. Among the drug-tolerant patients, LVDd, FS and plasma BNP concentration improved in both groups and to the same degree. Only 25% of drug-tolerant patients in the metoprolol group had a delayed H/M ratio below 1.9 compared with 57% in the carvedilol group. Both metoprolol and carvedilol, when tolerated, improve cardiac function and neurohumoral factors to the same degree. However, carvedilol is preferable to metoprolol for patients with a low delayed H/M ratio.     

The potential of brain natriuretic peptide as a biomarker for New York Heart Association class during the outpatient treatment of heart failure

BACKGROUND: Plasma C-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide (C-ANP), N-terminal ANP (N-ANP), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) have diagnostic utility in detecting left ventricular dysfunction. Their relative value in monitoring symptom status during the chronic treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF) remains undefined. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ninety-eight subjects with CHF were evaluated. Baseline natriuretic peptides were measured by radioimmunoassay, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was estimated with echocardiography, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class was determined independently by attending heart failure specialists. Forty-one subjects were restudied during a 6- to 12-month follow-up period after optimizing therapy. At baseline, all natriuretic peptides and LVEF correlated positively with NYHA class (P <.005). Plasma BNP, however, correlated best with NYHA class. At follow-up, only changes of BNP correlated to changes of NYHA class (P =.04). BNP decreased (-45% +/- 12%, N = 14, P =.002) in subjects whose NYHA class improved whereas BNP remained unchanged (-1% +/- 10%, N = 25, P =.95) in those whose NYHA class was stable. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation demonstrates the superiority of plasma BNP as compared to ANP and LVEF in objectively assessing NYHA class during the chronic treatment of CHF. Given that clinical assessment of CHF is subjective, plasma BNP is a useful objective biomarker in monitoring human CHF in the outpatient setting.     

慢性心力衰竭治疗中血浆脑钠肽的变化及其意义

目的：探讨慢性心力衰竭患者治疗中血浆脑钠肽水平的变化及其临床意义。方法：选择慢性心力衰竭患者63例，联合使用β受体阻滞剂及血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂治疗6月，于治疗前后分别测定血浆脑钠肽水平，并使用超声心动图仪检测左心室收缩功能及左心室结构。30名健康者为对照。结果：心力衰竭组血浆脑钠肽水平显著高于对照组（P〈0．001），并与心力衰竭严重程度有关；左心室射血分数显著低于对照组（P〈0．01）。心力衰竭患者血浆脑钠肽水平与心脏结构功能指标的直线相关分析表明，血浆脑钠肽水平与左心室射血分数呈负相关（r=-0．38，P〈0．05），心力衰竭患者有效治疗后，血浆脑钠肽水平显著下降（P〈0．05），左心室射血分数提高（P〈0．05）。结论：血浆脑钠肽水平可作为评价慢性心力衰竭治疗效果的客观指标。     

Influence of age on natriuretic peptides in patients with chronic heart failure: a comparison between ANP/NT-ANP and BNP/NT-proBNP

BACKGROUND: Natriuretic peptides are currently used in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with Chronic Heart Failure (CHF). However, it is unknown whether there are different influences of age on atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)/N-terminal-ANP (NT-ANP) or B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)/N-terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP). AIMS: To compare the influence of age and gender on plasma levels of ANP/NT-ANP and BNP/NT-proBNP in CHF patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Natriuretic peptides were measured in 311 CHF patients (68+/-8 years, 76% males, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 0.23+/-0.08). All natriuretic peptides were significantly related to age (p<0.05) on multivariate regression analysis, with partial correlation coefficients of 0.18, 0.29, 0.28 and 0.25 for ANP, NT-ANP, BNP and NT-proBNP, respectively. The relative increase of both BNP/NT-proBNP were more pronounced than of ANP/NT-ANP (p<0.01). Furthermore, the relative increase of BNP with age was markedly larger than of NT-proBNP (p<0.01). Levels of all natriuretic peptides were also significantly related to cardiothoracic ratio, renal function and LVEF. CONCLUSION: In patients with CHF, BNP/NT-proBNP were more related to age than ANP/NT-ANP, and BNP was more related to age than NT-proBNP. However, in these CHF patients the influence of age on the levels of all natriuretic peptides was modest, and comparable to several other factors.     

Relationship between plasma levels of cardiac natriuretic peptides and soluble Fas: Plasma soluble Fas as a prognostic predictor in patients with congestive heart failure

BACKGROUND: Cardiac natriuretic peptides may induce apoptosis in myocytes; however, the relationship between plasma levels of cardiac natriuretic peptides and those of soluble Fas (sFas) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha remains unknown in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: We measured plasma levels of sFas and TNF-alpha and those of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), norepinephrine, and endothelin 1 in 96 patients with CHF (ejection fraction < 45%). The patients were monitored for 3 years. Plasma levels of sFas and TNF-alpha increased with the severity of CHF. There was no significant correlation between sFas plasma levels and those of ANP and BNP. Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that high levels of sFas (P = .009) and BNP (P < .0001) and a low ejection fraction (P = .019) were independent significant prognostic predictors. CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant correlation between cardiac natriuretic peptide and sFas levels in plasma. Plasma sFas is a useful prognostic marker independent of neurohumoral factors, suggesting that immune activation and/or apoptosis play a significant role in the pathogenesis of CHF.