Thomas Jefferson University researchers have identified a protein which may be a potential biomarker for heart failure. In a study presented during the 10th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Heart Failure Society of America in Seattle last week, white blood cell samples from 20 heart failure patients were compared with 30 heart-healthy patients, and found that the levels of a protein designated as GRK2 were 3 to 4 times higher in those with failing hearts compared to subjects with normal left ventricular function.

"Future studies will compare GRK2 levels in heart failure patients treated with standard prescription drug and device therapy to test our hypothesis that GRK2 can be a surrogate marker for determination of a given patient's response to treatment," Dr. Koch explains.

These data support previous findings that GRK2 is important in heart function, and contributes to the loss of the heart's contractile strength during the development of heart failure.

Source: Jefferson News Release

[Image: AHAF]