USE OF IGFBP-7 IN THE ASSESSMENT OF HEART FAILURE
The invention relates to a method for assessing heart failure in vitro comprising the steps of measuring in a sample the concentration of the marker IGFBP-7, 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 IGFBP-7 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 IGFBP-7 as a marker protein in the assessment of heart failure, a marker combination comprising IGFBP-7 and a kit for measuring IGFBP-7.
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 insulin like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP-7),
determining a concentration of IGFBP-7 in a control sample from a healthy individual,
optionally measuring in the sample a concentration of an additional marker of heart failure,
optionally determining a concentration of the additional marker of heart failure in the control sample, and
assessing heart failure by comparing the concentration(s) determined in the sample from the individual to the concentration(s) determined in the control sample.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample is selected from the group consisting of serum, plasma, and whole blood.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the additional marker is selected from the group consisting of a natriuretic peptide marker, a cardiac troponin marker, and a marker of inflammation.
4 . The method of claim 3 wherein the natriuretic peptide marker is NT-proBNP.
5 . The method of claim 3 wherein the cardiac troponin marker is troponin T.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein the individual is at risk for heart failure.
7 . A kit for performing the method according to claim 1 , the kit comprising reagents required to specifically measure IGFBP-7 and the optional additional marker of heart failure.