老年冠心病患者血浆心肌营养素-1与心功能的关系

目的 探讨老年冠心病患者血浆心肌营养素-1(CT-1)与心功能的关系及其临床意义.方法 应用酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)测定老年冠心病患者54例(NYHAⅠ级11例,NYHA Ⅱ级16例,Ⅲ级16例,Ⅳ级11例)血浆CT-1、脑钠素(BNP)水平,通过超声心动图检查测定左室射血分数(LVEF).结果 老年冠心病患者血浆CT-1水平随心功能下降而升高.其中NYHAⅣ级患者为(249.95±53.529)pg/ml,Ⅲ级患者为(159.67±50.159)pg/ml,Ⅱ级患者为(108.70±39.241)pg/ml,NYHAⅠ级为(70.66±29.021)pg/ml,各组CT-1水平差异具有统计学意义(F＝35.144,P＜0.01),组间比较亦有统计学意义(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).Spearman直线相关分析显示老年冠心病患者血浆CT-1水平与心功能分级相关(r=0.805,P＜0.01);Pearson直线相关分析显示冠心病组血浆CT-1水平与血浆BNP水平相关(r=0.819,P＜0.01),与LVEF值负相关(r=-0.678,P＜0.01).通过绘制CT-1的ROC曲线,CT-1在ROC曲线下的面积为0.882,95%的可信区间为0.789～0.974,曲线下面积差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论 老年冠心病患者血浆CT-1水平随心功能下降而升高,且与BNP、NYHA分级、LVEF具有较好的相关性.联合检测老年冠心病患者血浆CT-1、BNP浓度有助于判断冠心病预后.     

心肌营养素-1在舒张性心力衰竭中的检测意义

目的:探讨血浆心肌营养素-1(CT-1)在舒张性心力衰竭(DHF)患者中的作用和临床意义。方法:应用酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)测定31例非DHF患者(对照组),DHF患者91例,纽约心脏病协会心脏分级(NYHA)Ⅱ级30例,Ⅲ级31例,Ⅳ级30例的血清CT-1、脑钠素(BNP)水平。结果:DHF组血清CT-1、BNP水平与对照组比较明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。DHF组组间比较,各组CT-1水平差异均有统计学意义(P0.05),NYHAⅣ级组CT-1水平明显高于NYHAⅢ级组和NYHAⅡ级组(P0.05),NYHAⅢ级组明显高于NYHAⅡ级组(P0.05)。直线相关分析显示,DHF组血清CT-1水平与BNP呈正相关(r=0.619,P0.05)。通过绘制CT-1的ROC曲线,CT-1在ROC曲线下的面积为0.923,95%的可信区间为0.878～0.968,曲线下面积差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:CT-1可能是DHF诊断和预后判断的较好实验室指标。CT-1和BNP联合检测有助于提高DHF诊断及预后判断的准确性。     

血浆白细胞介素18对老年慢性心力衰竭诊断及预后判断的作用

目的探讨血浆白细胞介素18(IL-18)对老年慢性心力衰竭(心衰)诊断及预后判断的作用。方法选择老年慢性心衰患者69例(心衰组)和同期健康体检老年人20例(对照组),采用ELISA法测定血浆IL-18、脑钠素(BNP)水平;用心功能分级(NYHA)标准对69例老年心衰患者的心功能进行分级,其中NYHAⅡ级22例,Ⅲ级27例,Ⅳ级20例。超声心动图测定LVEF。结果与对照组比较,心衰组患者血浆IL-18、BNP水平明显升高,LVEF明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);与NYHAⅡ级比较,NYHAⅢ级和NYHAⅣ级患者血浆IL-18、BNP水平明显升高(P<0.01),LVEF明显降低(P<0.01);与NYHAⅢ级比较,NYHAⅣ级患者血浆IL-18、BNP水平明显升高(P<0.05,P<0.01)。心衰组患者血浆IL-18与BNP水平和NYHA分级呈正相关(r=0.689,P<0.01;r=0.730,P<0.01),与LVEF呈负相关(r=-0.598,P<0.01)。结论老年慢性心衰患者血浆IL-18水平明显升高,且与BNP、NYHA分级和LVEF具有较好的相关性。联合检测老年慢性心衰患者血浆IL-18、BNP水平有助于心衰诊断及判断预后。     

老年心力衰竭患者心功能与血浆B型钠尿肽和尿酸的相关性研究

目的探讨老年心力衰竭(CHF)患者心功能与血浆B型钠尿肽(BNP)和血尿酸的相关性。方法选择132例老年CHF患者作为CHF组,并按心功能分级(NYHA)Ⅰ级26例、Ⅱ级38例、Ⅲ级40例、Ⅳ级28例。同期选择健康体检者50例作为对照组。分别测定血浆BNP及血尿酸水平,比较不同心功能级别入选患者的血浆BNP水平和血尿酸水平。结果 CHF组患者血浆BNP和血尿酸水平明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义[(784.19±206.00)ng/L vs(41.25±15.34)ng/L,(405.24±90.16)μmol/L vs(286.43±78.68)μmol/L,P<0.01];不同心功能分级患者血浆BNP和血尿酸水平两两比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01);CHF时,BNP与心功能分级、血尿酸、左心室舒张末内径(LVEDD)呈正相关(r=0.76、0.33、0.22,P<0.05);与LVEF呈负相关(r=-0.34,P<0.05);尿酸与心功能分级、LVEDD呈正相关(r=0.41、0.23,P<0.05);与LVEF呈负相关(r=-0.24,P<0.05)。结论血浆BNP和血尿酸水平与心功能分级可能具有相关性。     

老年冠心病不同心功能患者血浆白介素-18变化及其意义

目的 探讨老年冠心病不同心功能患者血浆白介素-18(IL-18)的变化和临床意义.方法 应用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定老年冠心病患者54例(NYHAⅠ级11例,Ⅱ级16例,Ⅲ级16例,Ⅳ级11例)血浆IL-18、脑钠肽(BNP)浓度,通过超声心动图检查测定左室射血分数(LVEF).结果 老年冠心病患者血浆IL-18浓度随心功能下降而升高,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05 或P＜0.01).相关分析显示,老年冠心病患者血浆IL-18浓度与心功能分级相关(r=0.778,P＜0.01),与血浆BNP浓度呈正相关(r=0.721,P＜0.01),与LVEF值呈负相关(r=-0.628,P＜0.01).IL-18在ROC曲线下的面积(AUC)为0.882,95%的可信区间为0.787～0.976,与BNP的AUC比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论 老年冠心病患者血浆IL-18浓度随心功能下降而升高,且与BNP、NYHA分级、LVEF相关.通过检测老年冠心病患者血浆IL-18浓度,有助于判断冠心病预后.     

B型利钠肽在慢性心力衰竭诊断中的应用价值研究

目的探讨B型利钠肽(BNP)在慢性心力衰竭(CHF)诊断中的应用价值。方法选择2011年1月—2013年7月阜南县人民医院门诊和住院CHF患者260例,按照纽约心脏协会(NYHA)心功能分级将患者分为心功能Ⅱ级组94例、心功能Ⅲ级组112例、心功能Ⅳ级组54例,另选择同期体检中心体检健康者60例作为空白组。比较各组受试者血清BNP水平和左心室射血分数(LVEF),分析CHF患者血清BNP水平与LVEF的相关性,并绘制血清BNP水平诊断CHF的受试者特征(ROC)曲线。结果血清BNP水平为心功能Ⅳ级组>心功能Ⅲ级组>心功能Ⅱ级组>空白组,LVEF为心功能Ⅳ级组<心功能Ⅲ级组<心功能Ⅱ级组<空白组(P<0.05)。Spearman等级相关分析结果显示,CHF患者血清BNP水平与LVEF呈负相关(r=-0.72,P<0.01)。以CHF患者血清BNP水平绘制ROC曲线,ROC曲线下面积(AUC)为0.966〔95%CI(0.935~1.010)〕,以98.6 ng/L作为CHF的诊断界值时其灵敏度为92.7%、特异度为94.5%、准确度为93.0%。结论 BNP诊断CHF具有较高的灵敏度、特异度及准确度,且安全、快捷、可靠,具有一定的临床应用价值。     

慢性心力衰竭患者B型利钠肽与尿酸的变化及意义

目的:探讨B型利钠肽(BNP)、尿酸浓度在慢性心力衰竭(CHF)时的变化及心功能与超声心动图指标的相关性.方法:2007-03至2008-05我院住院患者中,102例因心功能失代偿而入院的CHF患者为CHF组;无CHF 26例作为对照组.患者人院后均行BNP、尿酸和超声心动图检查,BNP浓度以放射免疫法测定,尿酸浓度以自动分析仪测定.CHF组根据美国纽约心脏协会(NYHA)心功能分级标准分为Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ级.结果:与对照组比较,CHF组BNP浓度显著增高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);NYHAⅣ级及NYHAⅢ级患者的BNP浓度均较NYHAⅡ级高,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.01);NYHAⅣ级及NYHAⅢ级患者的尿酸浓度较对照组和NYHAⅡ级显著增高,差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.01).CHF时BNP浓度与NYHA分级存在正相关关系(γ=0.785,P<0.01);与左心室射血分数存在负相关关系(r=-0.316,P<0.01).CHF时尿酸浓度与NYHA分级存在正相关关系(r=0.402,P<0.01);与左心室射血分数无直线相关关系.结论:CHF时BNP及尿酸浓度随着心力衰竭程度的加重而相应升高.BNP与左心功能状态有良好的相关性,而尿酸的这种相关性较差.BNP评价CHF时优于尿酸.尿酸水平是反映CHF病情严重程度的一个有意义的指标,尤其在CHF程度重(NYHAⅣ级及NYHAⅢ级)的患者更为明显.     

血清B型尿钠肽、和肽素水平对老年慢性心力衰竭患者预后不良的预测价值

目的分析血清B型尿钠肽(BNP)、和肽素(Copeptin)水平对老年慢性心力衰竭(CHF)患者预后不良的预测价值。方法回顾性收集2014年4月至2017年7月收治的300例老年CHF患者的临床资料,其中纽约心脏病协会(NYHA)心功能分级Ⅱ级82例、Ⅲ级134例、Ⅳ级84例。于入院后次日检测血清BNP、Copeptin水平,并采用超声检测左室射血分数(LVEF)、左室舒张末期内径(LVED)。对症干预治疗后进行预后随访,分析血清BNP、Copeptin水平与心功能分级、LVEF、LVED的关系及对不良预后的预测价值。结果不同NYHA心功能分级患者临床基础资料无统计学差异(P>0.05)。血清BNP、Copeptin水平比较,Ⅱ级<Ⅲ级<Ⅳ级;LVEF比较,Ⅱ级>Ⅲ级>Ⅳ级;LVED比较,Ⅱ级<Ⅲ级<Ⅳ级,均有统计学差异(P<0.05)。Pearson相关分析显示BNP、Copeptin水平与NYHA心功能分级正相关,与LVEF负相关(P<0.05);此外,BNP水平与LVED正相关,Copeptin水平与年龄正相关(P<0.05)。随访期间98例因心力衰竭(HF)加重再次入院,19例发生心源性死亡,共有117例(39.00%)预后不良。Cox多因素回归分析得出NYHA心功能分级、BNP、Copeptin、LVEF是预后不良的危险因素(P<0.05)。BNP、Copeptin联合预测不良预后的受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线下面积明显高于其单独预测(P<0.05)。结论血清BNP、Copeptin水平与老年CHF患者病情、预后密切相关,尤其是二者联合检测对不良预后有较高的预测价值。     

慢性心力衰竭患者血浆TIMP-4、sES水平变化及临床意义

目的分析慢性心力衰竭(CHF)患者血浆组织型金属蛋白酶抑制剂-4(TIMP-4)、可溶性E选择素(s ES)水平的变化及临床意义。方法选择2015年5月至2017年5月于东莞台心医院收治的CHF住院患者185例作为研究组(CHF组),根据纽约心功能(NYHA)分级进一步将CHF组分为心功能Ⅰ级组(n=30),心功能Ⅱ级组(n=59),心功能Ⅲ级组(n=63),心功能Ⅳ级组(n=33)。同期健康体检者50例作为对照组。对比各组血浆TIMP-4、s ES、B型脑钠肽(BNP)以及左室射血分数(LVEF)水平。分析TIMP-4与s ES水平与BNP及LVEF水平的相关性,以及TIMP-4、s ES对慢性心力衰竭患者的预测诊断效能。结果 CHF组患者血浆TIMP-4、LVEF水平显著低于对照组,其水平随着心功能分级的增加而显著下降;CHF组患者血浆sES、BNP水平显著高于对照组,其水平随着心功能分级的增加而显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。Pearson相关系数显示,CHF患者血浆TIMP-4与BNP呈负相关(r=-0.743),与LVEF呈正相关(r=0.651);sES水平与BNP呈正相关(r=0.757),与LVEF呈负相关(Rs=-0.598)。TIMP-4、sES、BNP诊断CHF的ROC曲线下面积分别为0.918、0.732、0.895。三者联合诊断价值(AUC=0.985)显著高于单独BNP(AUC=0.895),特异性为89.9%,敏感度为95.3%。结论 TIMP-4与sES能有效反映CHF患者的病情程度,对CHF患者的诊断及病情评估具有较高的临床应用价值。     

血浆和肽素、B型利钠肽水平与慢性心力衰竭的关系

目的:研究血浆和肽素(copeptin)、B型利钠肽(BNP)水平与慢性心力衰竭(CHF)及其严重程度之间的关系.方法:选择CHF患者78例,入院后均经心脏超声检查,32例非CHF患者作为对照组.按NYHA分级,将78例CHF患者分为NYHAI-Ⅱ级组30例,Ⅲ级组25例,Ⅳ级组23例.使用放射免疫测定法测定血浆copeptin水平,使用美国Biosite公司产品Triage干式快速定量心肌梗死/心力衰竭诊断检测仪来测定血浆BNP水平.结果:CHF患者血浆copeptin、BNP水平与对照组相比明显升高(P＜0.01),并随NYHA分级的增加而升高.copeptin分别与左室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)值、肌酐、NYHA分级、BNP呈显著正相关(P＜0.01),与左室射血分数(LVEF)呈负相关(P＜0.01).结论:血浆copeptin和BNP水平在CHF中明显升高,copeptin和BNP水平对CHF患者的诊断、病情评估、危险分层具有一定临床意义.     

Plasma level of cardiotrophin-1 as a prognostic predictor in patients with chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND: Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is a member of the interleukin (IL-6) family of cytokines and is increased in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). AIMS: To evaluate the prognostic role of CT-1 in patients with CHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We measured the plasma levels of CT-1, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and IL-6 in 125 patients with CHF. Patients were monitored for a mean follow-up period of 2.9 years. Plasma levels of CT-1 increased with severity of CHF. There was a significant negative correlation between plasma CT-1 and left ventricular ejection fraction. There was a significant correlation between plasma CT-1 and log IL-6. During the follow-up period, 37 patients died. High plasma levels of CT-1, BNP, and IL-6 were independent predictors of mortality on stepwise multivariate analysis. The hazard ratio for mortality in patients with plasma BNP>170 pg/mL and CT-1>658 fmol/mL was 2.48 (95% confidence interval, 1.217-5.060) compared to those with plasma BNP>170 pg/mL and CT-1<658 fmol/mL (p=0.0124). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that plasma CT-1 measurement provides additional prognostic information and that combined levels of CT-1 and BNP are more accurate at predicting mortality in patients with CHF than either marker alone.     

慢性心力衰竭患者血浆B型利钠肽的测定及治疗的影响

目的：探讨血浆B型利钠肽（BNP）与慢性心力衰竭（CHF）的关系。方法：对48例CHF患者和10名正常人，以固相免疫分析法（IRMA）测定血浆BNP，其中33例心功能稳定于NYHAⅡ～Ⅲ级的CHF患者分为2组．随访3个月。A组（n=12）：应用地高辛、利尿剂和ACEI治疗；B组（n=21）：在上述治疗的基础上．加用卡维地洛。比较两组血浆BNP水平．及心脏彩超检查的心脏结构和功能变化。结果：（1）CHF患者血浆BNP水平显著升高，严重心衰患者更明显（P均〈0．05）；（2）两组治疗后血浆BNP水平均较治疗前显著降低（P〈0．05）；（3）治疗后心功能改善者血浆BNP水平下降较未改善者更明显（P〈0．05）；（4）B组心功能改善较A组更明显（P〈0．05）。结论：CHF患者血浆BNP水平升高．其水平随心衰加重而升高．提示BNP可作为评价心衰有价值的指标     

Plasma endothelin-1 levels and clinical correlates in patients with chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide, and patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) are reported to have high plasma ET-1 levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between plasma ET-1 levels and clinical correlates in patients with CHF. The effects of maximal exercise on plasma ET-1 levels were also investigated. METHODS: Plasma concentrations of ET-1, norepinephrine, and atrial and brain natriuretic peptide (ANP and BNP) both at rest and after maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test were determined in 100 patients with CHF (60 +/- 12 years, New York Heart Association [NYHA] class I-III, left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF]=36 +/- 8%, peak oxygen uptake [VO2] = 18.2 +/- 5.0 mL/min/kg) and 27 controls. RESULTS: Patients with NYHA class II and III CHF had higher ET-1 levels (controls, NYHA class I, II, III: 2.1 +/- 0.6, 2.1 +/- 1.0, 2.6 +/- 0.9, 3.4 +/- 0.8 pg/mL, analysis of variance P <.0001). Maximal exercise did not alter ET-1 levels in controls or in each CHF subgroup. When all CHF patients were analyzed together, cardiothoracic ratio (P<.01), peak VO2 (P<.001), plasma norepinephrine (P<.01), plasma ANP (P<.01), and plasma BNP (P<.001) were significantly related with resting ET-1 levels on univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed peak VO2 and plasma BNP levels showed an independent and significant relationship with the resting plasma ET-1 levels. CONCLUSIONS: Resting ET-1 levels were increased in symptomatic patients with CHF, and maximal exercise did not increase ET-1 levels. Peak VO2 and plasma BNP levels were independently associated with resting plasma ET-1 levels in patients with CHF.     

扩张性心肌病与心绞痛患者心肌营养素-1与脑尿钠肽的变化

目的 :比较扩张性心肌病 （DCM）与稳定型 （SA）、不稳定型心绞痛 （U A）患者外周血心肌营养素 - 1与脑尿钠肽的水平。方法 :选择 DCM和 SA,UA患者各 30例 ,并选择 30例匹配的正常人作为对照组 ,检测心肌营养素 - 1（CT-1）和脑尿钠肽 （BNP）。结果 :3组患者 CT- 1较正常对照组均明显增高 （P<0 .0 1） ,且 DCM,U A组较 SA组也明显升高 （P<0 .0 5 ） ;DCM与 UA组的 BNP较正常组明显升高 （P<0 .0 1） ,而 SA组无显著差异 （P>0 .0 5 ）。DCM组与UA组的 CT- 1和 BNP水平无显著差异 （P>0 .0 5 ）。结论 :CT- 1在 DCM与 U A的病程发展中起到重要作用 ;对于不稳定型心绞痛 ,CT- 1可能与 BNP相关。     

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。     

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。     

Augmented response in plasma brain natriuretic peptide to dynamic exercise in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and congestive heart failure

OBJECTIVES: We have previously demonstrated that patients with symptomatic congestive heart failure (CHF), but not with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction (LVD), have augmented plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) response to exercise. Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) response to exercise is less extensively studied. The aim of this study was to determine whether responses of plasma BNP during exercise normalized for exercise workload are altered in patients with LVD and CHF. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with LVD, 32 patients with CHF (NYHA classes II-III) and 27 age-matched control subjects were studied. Ventilatory, plasma ANP and BNP responses were assessed during symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Plasma natriuretic peptide levels were measured at rest and immediately after peak exercise. The increment in plasma BNP was divided by the increment in oxygen uptake (VO2) from rest to peak exercise, and this ratio [BNP exercise ratio: (peak BNP - rest BNP)/(peak VO2 - rest VO2)] was compared amongst the three groups. RESULTS: Peak VO2 (Control, LVD and CHF: 28.2 +/- 1.7, 21.1 +/- 1.8, 16.2 +/- 0.6 ml, min(-1) kg(-1), respectively), anaerobic threshold and peak workload became smaller as heart failure worsened. Resting and peak plasma ANP levels were significantly higher only in CHF, whilst resting and peak plasma BNP levels displayed a significant and continuous increase from normal subjects to LVD and CHF. The ANP exercise ratio (1.25 +/- 0.36, 2.61 +/- 0.57, 7.72 +/- 1.65, ANOVA P = 0.0002) was significantly higher only in patients with CHF, whilst the BNP exercise ratio (0.35 +/- 0.10, 2.60 +/- 0.69, 4.98 +/- 0.97, ANOVA P = 0.0001) was significantly higher in patients with LVD and became progressively higher in patients with CHF. CONCLUSIONS: These data showed that the BNP exercise ratio, an exercise plasma BNP response normalized with exercise workload, was augmented in patients with LVD, and became progressively higher in CHF, suggesting that an augmented exercise BNP ratio exists early in the course of developing CHF.     

Effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy on cardiotrophin-1 circulating levels in patients with heart failure

Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is a member of the interleukin (IL-6) family of cytokines. Plasma CT-1 levels correlate with the left ventricle mass index in patients with dilatated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure (CHF). The aim of this paper was to evaluate CT-1 plasma levels, before and after cardiac resynchronization therapy CRT, and to characterizeits prognostic role in patients with CHF. Fifty-two consecutive patients (M/F = 39/13; 56 ± 11 years old) underwent clinical and echocardiographic evaluation, and blood sample collection at baseline. The same evaluation was repeated 6.4 ± 0.79 months after CRT. Patients with a decreased LV end-systolic volume by at least 15% (reverse remodeling) were considered echo responders to CRT. Twenty-nine patients (56%) were responders to CRT. After CRT, only 15 patients (29%) showed increased CT-1 after CRT. They were all non responders to CRT. A multivariate, logistic modelshowed CT-1 as an independent predictor of CRT echo response (p = 0.005; OR 0.97). During follow-up (18 ± 7 months), 21 cardiac events in 18 patients occurred. A Cox multivariable model showed plasma BNP pre-CRT (p = 0.02; CI 1.2–5.6; OR 3.1) and CT1 post-CRT (p = 0.01; CI 1.4–4.3; OR 2.7) as independent predictors of cardiac events. Analysis of CT-1 plasma levels deserves future consideration for larger, longitudinal studies in patients with CHF.