Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) as a predictor of adverse outcomes of chronic heart failure

NT-proBNP, which is considered a reference biomarker for the diagnosis and control of chronic heart failure (CHF), has a number of limitations and disadvantages in its use, which makes it relevant to search for other biomarkers that characterize various links in the pathogenesis of CHF.

Purpose of the study: to evaluate the possibilities of soluble tumorigenicity suppressor 2 (sST2) using as a predictor of an adverse outcomes of CHF.

Material and methods. The study included 120 stable CHF patients. There were 37,5% of men (n=45) and 62,5% of women (n=75). The mean age was 66,37±8,47 years. At the first stage of the study, complaints and anamnesis were collected. A physical examination, a complete blood count, a biochemical blood test, an enzyme immunoassay with the determination of NT-proBNP, sST2, hs-CRP and TSH and an echocardiography were also performed. At the second stage, which was organized after 12 months, data were collected on the clinical course and outcomes of CHF.

Results. The median level of sST2 in the study sample was 32,15 ng/ml [22,39; 38,59]. In the group of patients of I FC CHF this indicator was 24,72 ng/ml [17,9; 34,38], in II FC – 28,62 ng/ml [20,84; 36,24], in III FC – 37,11 ng/ml [31,2; 45,59], in FC IV – 37,74 ng/ml [32,14; 46,89]. An increase in the proportion of patients with an adverse outcomes was shown with an elevation in sST2 levels, which also corresponded to an increase in CHF FC.

Conclusion. The data obtained confirm the possibilities of sST2 in predicting the course of CHF. This may allow assessing the risks of an unfavorable course and the effectiveness of the applied treatment in this group of patients.