Focus on earlier identification of heart failure risk

With the US population aging, prevalence of heart failure (HF) is projected to grow by 25% and associated direct costs by 215% by 2030.¹

The natriuretic peptide (NP) biomarkers, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), which play a role in myocardial stress, have long served as clinically useful markers for heart failure diagnosis and management. New data and guidelines suggest that for patients at risk of developing HF, NP biomarker–based screening followed by team-based care, including a cardiovascular specialist optimizing guidelinedirected medical therapy, may be useful to prevent the development of new-onset HF.2 This means more people may benefit from BNP and NT-proBNP testing.

HF biomarker testing from Quest Diagnostics³

• Patients who may be at risk for developing heart failure include those with:
• Poorly controlled hypertension
• Diabetes
• Known vascular disease

In addition, risk identification may serve as a wake-up call for patients of concern, e.g., those not adhering to medications or otherwise not following their treatment plan.

Once diagnosed with chronic heart failure, a patient may be tested for other markers to help identify whether they are at elevated risk of disease progression:

sST2 (ST2) is a soluble isoform of ST-2, an interleukin-1 receptor family member that is elevated in some inflammatory diseases, including HF. Patients with heart failure and elevated sST2 levels are at increased risk for heart failure progression, rehospitalization, heart transplantation, and death.4-5 ACCF/AHA guidelines recommend measurement of sST2 for additive risk stratification in patients with acute or chronic heart failure.^7,8

Galectin-3 is a carbohydrate-binding lectin that increases collagen production and cardiac fibroblast proliferation. Elevated levels of galectin-3 have been associated with macrophage infiltration, cardiac fibrosis, and cardiac hypertrophy, which contribute to progression of heart failure and poor cardiovascular outcomes. Measuring galectin-3 in conjunction with BNP/NTproBNP and ST2 may further enhance risk stratification to monitor and treat HF and CVD.

From heart failure testing to diagnosis and monitoring, our test menu and related services can support you and your patients across the continuum of care.

This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. A physician’s test selection and interpretation, diagnosis, and patient management decisions should be based on his/her education, clinical expertise, and assessment of the patient.