USE OF BIGLYCAN IN THE ASSESSMENT OF HEART FAILURE
The invention relates to a method for assessing heart failure in vitro and involves the steps of measuring in a sample the concentration of the marker biglycan, of optionally measuring in the sample the concentration of one or more other marker(s) of heart failure, and of assessing heart failure by comparing the concentration determined in for biglycan and the concentration(s) determined for the optionally one or more other marker to the concentration of this marker or these markers as established in a reference population. Also disclosed are the use of biglycan as a marker protein in the assessment of heart failure, a marker combination comprising biglycan and a kit for measuring biglycan.
1 . A method for assessing heart failure in an individual comprising the steps of
measuring in a sample obtained from the individual a concentration of protein biglycan, wherein the sample is selected from the group consisting of serum, plasma, and whole blood,
optionally measuring in the sample a concentration of an additional marker of heart failure, and
assessing heart failure by comparing the concentration of protein biglycan measured and the optional concentration of the additional marker measured to concentrations of protein biglycan and the additional marker as established in a control sample.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the sample is serum or plasma.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the additional marker is selected from the group consisting of natriuretic peptide markers, cardiac troponin markers, and markers of inflammation.
4 . The method according to claim 3 , wherein the natriuretic peptide marker is NT-proBNP.
5 . The method according to claim 3 , wherein the cardiac troponin marker is troponin T.
6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the protein biglycan is measured in a sample obtained from an individual at risk for heart failure.