Growth differentiation factor 15 in different stages of heart failure: potential screening implications.

Identification of individuals in the early stage of heart failure (HF) may allow earlier initiation of disease-modifying treatment. We evaluated concentrations of the growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15 at different stages and its potential screening value in 208 subjects. Plasma GDF-15 was measured by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. GDF-15 was positively correlated with the stages of HF (r=0.804, p<0.001). In distinguishing patients with stage B HF, the area under the curve was 0.873 (p<0.001). These findings indicate that GDF-15 concentration was elevated with the progressing stages of HF and might have potential screening implications for stage B HF.