Effect of Carvedilol on Plasma Adiponectin Concentration in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: Reply

We thank Dr Lou and colleagues for their interest in our article, s noted by Dr Lou, the plasma adiponectin level is decreased in patients with type 2 diabetes 3,4 and coronary artery disease. Furthermore, a low plasma adiponectin level is associated with metabolic disorders and an increased risk of cardiovascular events. 8] n the present study, the baseline plasma adiponectin level in patients with ICM did not significantly differ; rather, it was slightly higher than in patients with non-ICM (dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertensive heart disease) (20.54.1 vs 14.21.2 g/ml, P=0.1) because the plasma BNP level in patients with ICM was also slightly higher than that in patients with non-ICM (547.4214.3 vs 435.665.6 pg/ml, P=0.1) and there was a positive correlation between plasma levels of BNP and adiponectin (r=0.507, P=0.0004). Furthermore, the change in the plasma levels of adiponectin and BNP and left ventricular ejection fraction by treatment with carvedilol did not differ between patients with ICM and non-ICM (-6.82.9 vs -4.11.1 g/ml, P=0.44; -125.2 229.8 vs -220.449.3 pg/ml, P=0.36; and 3.42.1 vs 5.6 1.8%, P=0.61, respectively). Therefore, a decrease in adiponectin level and improvement of heart failure by treatment with carvedilol and baseline plasma adiponectin level did not differ among the etiologies in the present study.