Background: Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is a member of the interleukin (IL-6) family of cytokines and is increased in various cardiovascular diseases, including chronic heart failure. The aim of the study was to determine if plasma CT-1 is associated with diastolic heart failure (DHF) and to investigate the relationship between CT-1 and echocardiographic parameters.
Material/Methods: Fifty-seven consecutive patients (mean age 57±8 years, 24 males) diagnosed with DHF in our clinic and 33 controls (mean age 55±7 years, 12 males) were included in the study. All study participants underwent echocardiographic evaluation and blood samples were obtained.
Results: CT-1 and NT-proBNP values were significantly higher in DHF subjects than in controls (11.30 [8.09–16.51] vs. 17.5 [8.95–28.74] fmol/mL, P=0.017 and 64 [27.5–95] vs. 82 [55.5–241] pg/mL, P=0.009, respectively). The mitral peak velocity of early diastolic filling (E), mean ratio of E to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/Em), and the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) estimated from E/Em measurements were all significantly higher in the patient group (62.27±14.69 vs. 75.67±18.85 cm/sec, 6.40±1.48 vs. 10.30±3.48, and 10 [9–11] vs. 14[12–16] mmHg, P≤0.001 for all). Lateral and septal Em were significantly lower in the patient group (10.69±1.87 vs. 8.69±2.00 cm/sec and 8.91±1.22 vs. 6.65±1.58 cm/sec, P<0.001 for both). CT-1 positively correlated with NT-proBNP (P=0.001, r=0.349), mean E/Em (P=0.003, r=0.307), and estimated mean PCWP (P=0.001, r=0.308).
Conclusions: CT-1 is elevated in patients with DHF and is associated with NT-proBNP and estimated left ventricular filling pressures.

Keywords: Natriuretic Peptide, Brain - blood, Peptide Fragments - blood, Heart Failure, Diastolic - blood, Echocardiography, Cytokines - blood, Blood Flow Velocity