| Abstract: | Urotensin II (UTII) is recently discovered neurohumoral factor influencing function and structure of the myocardium and remodeling of the vessels, and it may contribute to pathogenesis of chronic congestive heart failure. The aim of the study was estimation of plasma concentration of UTII in patients with chronic congestive heart failure. The investigations were performed on 79 patients (37 women and 42 men) aged 43-87 yr. (mean 69.2 +/- 9.8 yr.) and 15 healthy individuals. In all patients, echocardiographic examination of the left ventricle structure and function was performed and serum concentration of electrolytes and creatinine were measured. Plasma levels of UTII were determined before treatment and after 1 week, 2 and 4 weeks of treatment using RIA Peninsula Lab. Inc. Plasma level of UTII in patients suffering from chronic congestive heart failure was significantly lower than in healthy individuals before the treatment and after achieving compensation of the circulatory system using standard treatment, independently from sex, kind of heart failure (systolic-diastolic or diastolic) or coexistence arterial hypertension or pulmonary hypertension, ischemic heart disease or diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance. Treatment of chronic congestive heart failure resulted in a transient increase in UTII concentration except for patients with diastolic heart failure or diabetes. Only patients without ischemic heart disease have a permanent increase in UTII concentration at the time of the treatment. After achieving compensation of the circulatory system in the patients suffering from systolic-diastolic heart failure, UTII concentration was significantly lower than in the patients suffering from diastolic heart failure, in the patients suffering from ischemic heart disease significantly lower than in patients without ischemic heart disease, in the patients with arterial hypertension significantly higher than in those with normal arterial tension, in group of the patients with pulmonary hypertension lower than in group of the patients without pulmonary hypertension and significantly higher in group of the patients suffering from diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance than in group of the patients without this metabolic disorders. |
