What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Observational. Population: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) (n=90). Intervention: Serum apelin level vs. HFrEF without VT and controls without HFrEF. Primary outcome: Presence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) (OR 0.313, 95% CI 0.124-0.788, p=0.014).

What does this research mean for the field?

Serum apelin levels are significantly lower in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT), with a cut-off value of 0.80 ng/mL distinguishing VT status. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

February 6, 2026Open Access

Apelin Levels in HFrEF and Association with Sustained VT Detected by ICD Interrogation: A Retrospective Pilot Study

Key Result

Serum apelin levels independently determined the presence of ventricular tachycardia in patients with HFrEF (OR 0.313; 95% CI 0.124-0.788; p=0.014).

Key Points

This study investigates serum apelin levels in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and their association with ventricular tachycardia (VT).
Retrospective pilot study involving 90 patients divided into three groups: HFrEF with VT, HFrEF without VT, and control without HFrEF.
Measurement of serum apelin levels alongside routine clinical parameters.
Comparison of parameters among the three groups, including logistic regression analysis to determine VT associations.
Apelin levels were significantly lower in both HFrEF groups compared to controls.
Higher levels of serum glucose, creatinine, and left atrial diameter were noted in the HFrEF groups compared to controls.
Lower HDL cholesterol and left ventricular ejection fraction were observed in the HFrEF with VT groups.
Logistic regression showed apelin levels and left ventricular ejection fraction as independent predictors of VT.
A cut-off value of 0.80 ng/mL for apelin distinguished VT status with acceptable sensitivity and specificity.

Study Design

Type

Observational (n=90)

Structured PICO

Are serum apelin levels associated with the presence of sustained ventricular tachycardia in patients with HFrEF?

Population

90 patients, consisting of 3 groups (n=30 each): Group I (HFrEF with documented ventricular tachycardia), Group II (HFrEF without ventricular tachycardia), and Group III (control group without HFrEF).

Intervention

Measurement of serum apelin levels

Comparator

HFrEF without ventricular tachycardia (Group II) and controls without HFrEF (Group III)

Outcome

Presence of documented ventricular tachycardia (VT)surrogate

Reduced serum apelin levels are independently associated with the presence of sustained ventricular tachycardia in patients with HFrEF, suggesting its potential utility as a biomarker for arrhythmic risk.

Main Result

Effect estimate: OR 0.313 (95% CI 0.124-0.788)

p-value: p=0.014

Abstract

Introduction: The serum apelin level in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and its relationship with ventricular tachycardia (VT) are not clearly known. This study aimed to investigate changes in serum apelin levels in patients with HFrEF and their relationship with VT. Method: This retrospective pilot study included 90 patients with 30 patients in each group: Group I: HFrEF with documented VT; Group II: HFrEF without VT; Group III: control group without HFrEF. In addition to routine parameters, apelin levels were measured. All parameters were compared between Group I–II–III. Parameters associated with VT were identified. Result: Apelin levels were found to be significantly lower in Group I–II than in Group III. Serum glucose, creatinine, and left atrial diameter were shown to be significantly higher in Group I–II than in Group III. HDL cholesterol and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) levels were significantly lower in Group I–II compared with Group III. A positive and negative correlation was found between plasma apelin levels and LVEF and age, respectively. In logistic regression analysis, apelin levels and LVEF were found to independently determine VT (OR = 0.313, 95%CI: 0.124–0.788, p = 0.014 and OR = 0.912, 95%CI: 0.877–0.968, p < 0.001). In the ROC analysis, the cut-off value for apelin was determined to be 0.80 ng/mL, and it distinguished VT status in this sample with acceptable sensitivity and specificity. Discussion: According to the results of our study, apelin levels are significantly reduced in patients with HFrEF, and reduced apelin levels are associated with the presence of VT in these patients.

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