Serum fetuin-A levels in patients with systolic heart failure

OBJECTIVE: Inflammation and dystrophic calcification have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic heart failure (CHF). The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential usefulness of fetuin-A as a biomarker in CHF. METHODS: Serum fetuin-A was measured in 66 CHF patients with left ventricular function < 50% and in 31 healthy controls at baseline. Fetuin-A was evaluated as a diagnostic marker for systolic heart failure and compared with C-reactive protein (CRP) and pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP). RESULTS: The levels of serum fetuin-A were significantly decreased in the CHF patients compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Although there were significant correlations between fetuin-A and certain parameters in patients and controls, none of these were present consistently in either group. It was found that serum fetuin-A levels could identify patients with systolic heart failure with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Serum fetuin-A is decreased in CHF patients, indicating that anti-inflammatory activity is downregulated in CHF and that calcification may be associated with CHF.