Methods and kits for detecting cardiac remodeling in subjects without clinical signs of heart failure

1. A method for detecting cardiac remodeling in a subject without clinical signs of heart failure comprising:

a) determining the level of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin:matrix metalloproteinase 9 (NGAL-MMP9) complex in a blood sample obtained from the subject; and

b) comparing the determined level of the NGAL-MMP9 complex in the blood sample obtained from the subject with a blood NGAL-MMP9 complex reference level from a subject who does not have cardiac remodeling, wherein an increase between said determined level and said reference level is indicative that cardiac remodeling is present in said subject.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said subject is a subject with abdominal obesity.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said cardiac remodeling is mediated by aldosterone.

4. A method for treating a subject affected with cardiac remodeling without clinical signs of heart failure, comprising the steps of:

a) determining whether a subject without clinical signs of heart failure is affected by cardiac remodeling by:

(i) determining the level of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin:matrix metalloproteinase 9 (NGAL-MMP9) complex in a blood sample obtained from the subject; and

(ii) comparing the determined level of the NGAL-MMP9 complex in the blood sample obtained from the subject with a blood NGAL-MMP9 complex reference level from a subject who does not have cardiac remodeling, wherein an increase between said determined level and said reference level is indicative that cardiac remodeling is present in said subject; and

b) administering a mineralocorticoid antagonist to said subject identified as a subject affected with cardiac remodeling.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the subject is a subject with abdominal obesity.