Role of Soluble ST2 as a Prognostic Marker in Patients with Acute Heart Failure and Renal Insufficiency

This study sought to assess the relationship between serum concentrations of the soluble ST2 (sST2) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and investigate the role of sST2 as a prognosticator in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure (HF) and renal insufficiency. sST2 was measured at admission and discharge in 66 patients hospitalized with acute decompensated HF and renal insufficiency (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <90 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) using a high sensitivity immunoassay. BNP was sampled at the same time and compared to sST2. Demographical, biochemical, and echocardiographic data were also obtained during hospitalization. There were positive correlations between sST2 and BNP levels at admission (r=0.330, P=0.007) and at discharge (r=0.320, P=0.009) in overall patients. However, there was no correlation between them at each timepoint in patients with severe renal insufficiency (eGFR< 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, n=17). sST2 level was not changed with the degree of renal function, even though BNP level was much higher in patients with severe renal insufficiency. During 3 month follow-up, 9 (13.6%) died and 16 (24.2%) were readmitted due to HF aggravation. On multivariate analysis, sST2 at discharge was independently associated with death or HF readmission during 3 months after discharge (hazard ratio, 1.038; 95% confidence interval, 1.011-1.066, P=0.006). In conclusion, sST2 is not affected by renal function compared with BNP in acute HF patients. The measurement of predischarge sST2 can be helpful in predicting short-term outcomes in acute decompensated HF patients with renal insufficiency.