Inflammatory markers and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in a family-based population study.

BACKGROUND

Heart failure affects patients with normal left ventricular systolic function (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction [HFPEF]) and those with reduced ejection fraction (HFREF). The treatment of HFPEF remains an unresolved issue.

AIM

We sought to determinate the relationship between inflammatory markers and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in a family-based population study.

METHODS

A total of 303 participants from the general population (55% women, median age 49 years and 45% men, median age 40 years) underwent echocardiography and measurement of serum inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and interleukin 6 (IL-6).

RESULTS

Serum IL-6 concentration correlated with peak transmitral late diastolic velocity (A) and pulmonary vein systolic-to-di-astolic velocity (S/D) ratio (p < 0.01). Moreover, a significant correlation between IL-6 concentration and E/A ratio and early diastolic peak velocities of the mitral annulus displacement (E') was observed. The association of IL-6 concentration and peak transmitral early diastolic velocities (E) and the E/E' ratio (p < 0.05) was noted in men. In addition, the CRP concentration was shown to have an effect on E/A ratio in women (p < 0.05). A significant correlation between the CRP concentration and S/D ratio was observed both in women (p < 0.01) and men (p < 0.05). No significant correlation was found between the level of MPO and LVDD parameters. Additionally, only one predictive model was identified; E' was found to be dependent on IL-6, age, and heart rate in men (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.611).

CONCLUSIONS

The above results suggest that inflammation may lead to the onset of LVDD, probably via vascular endothelial dysfunction.