The role of serum VCAM-1 and TNF-α as predictors of mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: To assess the prognostic significance of four inflammatory markers (TNF-α, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)) in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients with respect to individual outcomes, especially disease exacerbation and mortality.
METHODS: Plasma adhesion molecules, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1, together with TNF-α and hs-CRP were determined in 120 CHF patients and 69 healthy controls. Endothelial function was also estimated by flow-mediated brachial artery dilatation.
RESULTS: Increased levels of all investigated inflammatory markers were found in CHF patients compared to controls, with the rise more pronounced in New York Heart association (NYHA) functional IV class. Significant correlations were obtained for VCAM-1 and brain natriuretic peptide (r = 0.191; P = 0.038), as well as, ICAM-1 and endothelium-dependent vasodilatation (r = -0.235; P = 0.01). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed disease exacerbation in patients with TNF-α levels >2.78 pg/ml significantly shorter compared to those with TNF-α levels <2.78 pg/ml (log-rank test = 8.270; P = 0.004), while similar association was observed for patients with hs-CRP levels >4.76 mg/l (log-rank test = 5.052; P = 0.025) and VCAM-1 levels >1200 ng/l (log-rank test = 5.45; P = 0.020) with respect to mortality. Cox regression analysis demonstrated only VCAM-1 (HR = 4.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-18.7; P = 0.030) as independent death predictor, while TNF-α was associated with disease exacerbation (HR = 8.2; 95%CI: 1.1-23.0; P = 0.045).
CONCLUSIONS: VCAM-1 appears to be useful in risk stratification of CHF patients and in screening, to identify subjects at risk for heart failure related events.