Introduction:

Heart failure (HF) is the end-stage of many heart diseases. Although the changes in the composition of the extracellular matrix associated with the ventricular remodelling process have been described, neither the evolution nor the clinical impact of the myocardial fibrogenesis in patients with HF are completely understood.

Objective:

To determine if the precursors of the synthesis and degradation of collagen are useful in the prediction of hospital admissions, death, or the need for a heart transplant in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods:

A total of 204 patients with chronic heart failure were studied between the years 2015 and 2016, of whom 106 had ischaemic heart disease, and 98 had dilated cardiomyopathy. Measurements were made of the serum levels of noradrenaline, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide, and procollagen type III N-terminal propeptide (PIIINP). The left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction were determined, as well a record made of the functional class and medical treatment.

Results:

During follow-up, there were 55 hospital admissions, 7 deaths and 9 transplants. Age (p<0,001), PINP levels (p=0,04), PIIINP levels (p=0,016), and left ventricular volumes (p<0,05), were significantly higher in patients who achieved the primary outcome. In patients with severe dilation of the left ventricle (LV diastolic volume index, LVDVI > 110 ml/m2, LV systolic volume index, LVTSVI > 50 ml/m2), PIIINP levels > 6.2 (g/L and a PINP > 40 (g/L, were associated with a higher risk of hospital admission, death, or need of a transplant (event-free survival at 12 months: 45% versus 95%, p<0,0001).

Conclusions:

The circulating levels of PINP and PIIINP are associated with left ventricular remodelling, and predict the outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure.

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